Al-Qaeda explosives workshop discovered

Algerian army forces discovered an explosives workshop on Friday evening during an ongoing combing campaign through the Bozkzh Heights, Bourmerdes, that aims to deprive suspected al-Qaeda militants in the area of key resources and supplies. Another bomb-making facility was also found near Mustash. Security forces found brand-new Chinese-made mobile phones, used by militants to make remote controlled bombs, well-informed security sources told Arabstoday. Sources added that Algerian forces also dismantled a number of bombs along the perimeters of al-Qaeda strongholds in the region, en route to the explosives factory. Joint Security Services are continuing combing operations in the area to flush out Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb [AQIM] hideouts, following reports that Islamist extremists are currently based in the Bozkzh Mountains. The Department of Lakhdaria in Bouira state, 70 kilometres south-east of Algiers, meanwhile dismantled a network of armed groups, suspected of providing logistical help to al-Qaeda elements.