Algerian forces raid al-Qaeda base, kill 8

An Algerian anti-terrorunit killed eight operatives from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in the province of Tizi Ouzou on Wedesnday, security sources have informed Arabstoday. The source denied reports by several papers that 12 gunmen were killed. The source said that the operation came about after the defence ministry combed the region with anti-terrorist units. The eight militants were killed in an ambush in Beni Douala; the gunmen were riding a 4x4 car, and clashed with Algerian security forces for about two hours, where they reportedly used explosives and RPGs. The same source revealed that the military units stationed in Beni Douala, which comprises dozens of villages where the militias use to hide, engaged again on Monday with an armed group, but the results of the operation were not announced yet. Meanwhile, the Algerian army helicopters are carrying out survey operations recently sanctioned by the defence ministry. Local sources said that army was now surrounding dozens of militants in the provinces of Blida and Khenchela.