61 extremist aid suspects arrested on Malian border

More than 60 people suspected of supporting armed group in North Mali have been arrested on the Malian-Algerian border in the Algerian province of Tamanrasset. The Tamanrasset authorities received “accurate” information describing the doings of various groups facilitating arm trafficking for Islamist groups such as al-Qaeda. Security sources said those arrested were of various African nationalities.. Of the 61 arrested, 29 were Malian nationals, 18 were Algerians and 14 were from Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mauritania. Information said the detained have ties with the Islamist group al-Tawhid al-Jihad. Sources said that security forces in the south of Algeria have been tracking the movements of all suspects. The border region has become under greater threat recently, the sources added, as the armed groups are preparing for a possible war, prompting it to install support networks on the border with Algeria. Available information describes the detainees as aids to the extremist groups for food and other supplies, such as fuel, spare parts and communications devices, as well as monitoring security personnel. Four detainees are expected to be charged with aiding and supporting terrorist groups after security seized videos footage praising such armed groups as al-Tawhid wal-Jihad and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.