N.AFRICA-MIDDLE EAST-S.ASIA
47 More People Killed in AlgeriaALGIERS (EmergencyNet News) - Algerian newspapers were reporting on Monday that 47 people have been killed in the latest massacres and other attacks in the North African state.
Seven children, five women and eight men were murdered by having their throats cut by about 20 attackers overnight Saturday-Sunday in Tiaret province, located about 140 miles southwest of Algiers.
A three-month-old baby, a two-year-old girl and a pregnant woman were among the 20 people killed as they slept in the hamlet of M'Cherref. All the victims were members of one large family who lived in shacks.
In another attack in Tiaret province, suspected Muslim rebels on Thursday slashed the throats of four children and mutilated them.
The El Watan newspaper reported that 16 people were murdered in two attacks on Friday and Saturday in Sidi Bel Abbes province, about 250 miles west of Algiers. In Medea province, located about 45 miles south of Algiers, attackers cut the throats of two people overnight Friday-Saturday and dumped their bodies at a mountain. The Le Matin newspaper added that one of the bodies was booby-trapped and exploded when a member of the security forces moved it.
Excerpted from: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Monday, January 12, 1998 Vol. 4 - 012
ANOTHER MASSACRE IN ALGERIAFrom the ERRI Watch Center
ALGIERS (EmergencyNet News) - The Algerian government acknowledged on Monday that 103 people had been killed and 70 more wounded overnight in Sidi Hamed, located south of Algiers. Security forces said the attack began with the explosion of a bomb in a cafe in which several people were killed.
Many of the victims were shot or stabbed or hacked to death as they watched a movie Sunday night. About 100 men broke into groups, the largest of which entered the theater as the film began.
Witnesses said the gang leader told the victims: "You should be in the mosque for the prayer of the taraouih."
Other members of the gang, meanwhile, attacked a mosque in the nearby village of Haouche Sahraoui.
In a statement, the security forces said they were helped by local volunteers in a battle that resulted in the killing five Moslem rebels and the wounding of several others. Two members of the security forces were wounded and two of the volunteers were killed.
The massacre that happened about 20 miles south of Algiers followed a series of other killings in which more than 1,000 people have died since the start of the holy month of Ramadan on 30 December.
ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Saturday, January 10, 1998 Vol. 4 - 010
N.AFRICA-MIDDLE EAST-S.ASIAALGIERS (EmergencyNet News) - Algerian newspapers were reporting on Saturday that suspected Islamic militants slaughtered 55 people in three new attacks in Algeria where around 1,000 people have been massacred in ten days. The newspapers said the latest attacks were carried out by rebels of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA).
The Liberte newspaper reported 20 people were killed on Friday in Tablat in Medea province, located about 45 miles south of the capital. It gave no further details in a brief "last minute" report.
The Liberte and three other newspapers also said that 26 people from three large families, including 11 children and four women, had their throats cut and four girls were kidnapped in Sour El Ghozlan in Bouira province, located 60 miles east of Algiers, overnight on Wednesday-Thursday. The Al-Khabar newspaper reported ten rebels attacked the village but the intervention of the security forces prevented a much higher death toll. It said the forces killed six attackers. A survivor said the attackers wore Afghan-style clothes -- an indication of belonging to the GIA -- and smelled badly. He said they were armed with hunting rifles.
The newspapers reported that nine members of a single family were murdered in Saida, which is located about 210 miles southwest of Algiers on Thursday night.
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Excerpted from: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Sunday, January 4, 1998 Vol. 4 - 004
By Steve Macko, ERRI Risk Analyst
It is one of the world's bloodiest undeclared wars. Continuous bomb attacks have brought Algeria's Muslim fundamentalist conflict back to the center of Algiers -- the capital of Algeria.
One European political analyst said, "The blasts have shattered the perception that the cities are safer, after the massacres in the villages at the start of Ramadan. And the violence will certainly continue."
The Canadian Embassy has reportedly told its foreign ministry to advise Canadians who do not have an urgent reason to go to Algeria to stay away, especially for the next two months.
The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan started on 10 January. Depending on what source is cited, between 170 and 260 people have been killed by terrorist acts. The wave of violence began at the beginning of the month with massacres reported in isolated villages. Next came the bombings in Algiers and its suburbs, such as Blida.
One counterterrorist analyst told ENN, "The violence was expected during Ramadan, as in previous years. What makes this year different is the sheer intensity, bloodiness and certainly it will continue."
The terrorist group that has been widely blamed for the violence is the Armed Islamic Group (GIA). The GIA vowed to increase what it has termed as a "jihad" or holy war during the month of Ramadan. The group threatened that it would detonate at least 50 bombs. So far, and if you count the 17 or so bombs that EOD experts have defused, the GIA has kept its word.
In a statement that was distributed in Algiers, GIA leader Antar Zouabri promised, "We have the means and the men to punish all those who are not on our side."
The insurgency in Algeria began about five years ago when the ruling military junta scrapped a general election in which Islamists were believed to be victorious. Since then, the violence has claimed about 60,000 lives. No one has been left untouched by the killings. Children, women, men, foreigners, journalists ... everyone is a potential target.
Since the violence began, diplomatic experts in Algeria say that the support for the Islamic fundamentalists has been eroded. Five years ago, rallies by the now banned Islamic Salvation Front would have brought over 100,000 supporters into the streets of Algiers. Today, the chance of mass unrest is said to be small.
One diplomat said, "The way things are going right now, the authorities are good for another five years. But so is the opposition. There is evidence they are being supported from outside, by Afghan rebels and others."
It is known that police in France and Germany this month searched for Islamic militants who are suspected of acquiring explosives for the GIA. The Algerian government has also accused the outlaw states of Iran and Sudan of supporting the terrorists in Algeria.
"The authorities are divided," said one diplomat. "President Zeroual has been for some sort of negotiated settlement, while others -- the 'eradicators' -- want a military solution. The upsurge of violence plays into the hardliners' hands. In the short term it makes talks or negotiations less likely."
One Chicago-based Emergency Response and Research Institute (ERRI) analyst pointed out, "A negotiated settlement would probably not be the best way to go. Let's say that they did reach such an accord. Do you think the Islamic fundamentalists would just be happy and be satisified with the way things are? No, there would probably be a lot of intrigue going on behind the scenes while they plotted the final takeover of Algeria ... at the very least. It won't work. They should know what they are dealing with."
Last Friday, Algerian President Liamine Zeroual gave a 20-minute speech on television. He largely blamed the violence on what he called "foreign circles" who, he said, manipulated those that he called "criminals, traitors and mercenaries" -- Algerian government codewords for Muslim fundamentalists.
A diplomat in Algiers said that the speech "was long on condemnation, but short on answers." Another diplomat observed that the speech was "a bit of an anti-climax." He said that foreign capitals around the world were expecting something a bit more solid.
What's going to happen to Algeria? It's really anyone's guess. If the authorities really don't want to fight for the country, they probably will lose it and it would not be a great idea to have a Muslim fundamentalist state pointed at the soft underbelly of Europe.
ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Saturday,
January 3, 1998 Vol. 4 - 003
N.AFRICA-MIDDLE EAST-S.ASIA
As Many as 400 Dead in Brutal Algerian Massacre
By the EmergencyNet News Team
ALGIERS (EmergencyNet News) - In what appears to be the bloodiest night of murder in Algeria's six-years of violence, suspected Islamic militants killed 412 people in western Algeria on the first night of Ramadan. The massacres left 176 people dead in Kherarba, 113 murdered in Ouled Sahnine and 123 killed in El Abadel and Ouled Tayeb on Tuesday night.
In describing the carnage, one EMS worker said, "From just two houses I had to pull out at least 80 corpses. I leave you to imagine the extent of the catastrophe in four hamlets."
The killings involved whole families who were dragged into a room of a house and had their throats cut or were hacked to death. Algerian newspapers say that almost 840 people have been killed in the past 11 days.
ERRI Risk Assessment Services Monday, December 1, 1997 Vol. 1 - 116
ERRI ASSESSMENT:
Algeria is a republic with a developing economy. Unofficial estimates indicate about 65,000 Algerians have been killed in political violence in Algeria since January 1992. The ultimatum issued by the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) in November 1993 urging foreigners to leave or be killed has been neither renewed or retracted and this extremist group has the capacity to carry out acts of violence. Over 100 foreigners have been killed in Algeria since the ultimatum.
Foreign nationals are advised to defer all travel to Algeria. People who choose to travel to Algeria or to be there for business, or other essential reasons, should do so only when the issue of their personal security has been specifically addressed by the government of Algeria and appropriate measures put in place by that government or its agents to reduce the risk to them. Furthermore, several private companies have introduced enhanced security measures for their employees and these should be reviewed carefully, not only before deciding to travel to Algeria but on an ongoing basis.
On 25 August, the U.S. State Department issued the following Travel Warning:
"The United States Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid travel to
Algeria. The Department recommends that those Americans who choose to be in Algeria
despite this warning have substantial armed protection while traveling overland, on their
work sites and at their accommodations; other Americans in Algeria should depart. Armed
protection is not a guarantee of safety. The continued threats against foreigners indicate
that the level of risk in Algeria is extremely high. The U.S. Embassy in Algiers also
specifically identifies ports, trains, and airline terminals as terrorist targets and
warns against traveling on regularly scheduled commercial transport. Embassy personnel
have suspended their use of regularly scheduled commercial flights. The Department
recommends that Americans who choose to use Algeria's airports are met or accompanied by
armed guards upon arrival or departure at the airports. American citizens who remain in
Algeria despite this warning are urged to exercise maximum caution and to evaluate
regularly their personal security practices."
In their threat assessment, ERRI analysts cannot stress hard enough that Algeria is a dangerous country and all travel to this country should be deferred. Algeria is considered to be an EXTREME RISK. An extreme risk is defined as countries that have civil and other war situations wherein the central government does not control significant geographical areas, which are in the partial control of insurgent forces or where government control is immediately threatened. Also, countries undergoing a violent transformation through a military coup or revolution. Travel and/or investment are discouraged.
Source: ERRI WORLD SITUATION REPORT; December 1, 1997
TERRORISM/INSURGENCY:
ALGERIA REMAINS A CRITICAL TERRORIST THREAT COUNTRY AND, AS SUCH, REQUIRES COMPREHENSIVE, WELL-PLANNED AND EXECUTED SECURITY OPERATIONS TO PROTECT AGAINST THE THREAT. THE SECURITY SITUATION CONTINUES TO BE DANGEROUS FOR AMERICANS AND AS OF THIS TIME WE HAVE NOT/NOT SEEN ANY INDICATORS THAT WOULD CAUSE US TO CHANGE THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TRAVEL WARNING FOR ALGERIA. IN SHORT, TERRORIST INCIDENTS IN ALGERIA CONTINUE TO BE COMMONPLACE AND FOREIGNERS REMAIN A PRIORITY TARGET FOR THE EXTREMISTS.
Political, social, and economic problems have created a climate of violent unrest in Algeria. A state of emergency has been in effect since early 1992. Since September 1993, a terrorist campaign against foreigners has resulted in the deaths of dozens of foreigners. Assassinations of Algerian intellectuals, government officials, journalists, and military officers occur frequently. Sporadic bombings, gun battles between government forces and insurgents, and other violence occurs almost daily. Currently, Algerian military and other security personnel are unable to offer adequate protection.
In 1996, the government of Algeria discontinued a late-night curfew in the central area around Algiers, but continued to maintain roadblocks at many major intersections. Security personnel at roadblocks and intersections expect full cooperation with their instructions. In response, terrorist groups have set up false roadblocks as ambushes.
Numerous incidents of banditry and assault involving foreigners have been reported in the far southern region of Algeria near the border with Niger. Bandits have robbed, assaulted, kidnapped, and killed travelers in Algeria south of Tamanrasset.
Travel overland is considered to be treacherous and Algerian military have indicated an unwillingness to offer protection because they feel there is a security risk. The Department of State recommends that American citizens in Algeria have substantial armed protection while traveling overland, on their work sites or in their accommodations.
Over one hundred twenty foreigners have been kidnapped and murdered since September 1993, sometimes in assaults involving dozens of attackers. For example, a terrorist attack at a pipeline facility located approximately 200 miles south of Algiers resulted in the death of 5 expatriates. None of these individuals were American citizens. Nonetheless, terrorists have threatened to kill all foreigners who do not leave Algeria. In response to these threats, the U.S. Embassy in Algiers has substantially reduced the number of U.S. government personnel in Algeria. Dependents of U.S. Government personnel may not accompany employees to Algeria. Travel overland in Algeria is considered to be dangerous because the Government of Algeria is reluctant to provide security based on their assessment of the risk to Algerian personnel. An Air France flight was hijacked at Algiers Airport on December 24, 1994 by heavily armed terrorists who threatened to blow up the aircraft.
Government security forces made substantial progress against the Islamic Salvation Army (AIS)-the reported military wing of the Islamic Salvation Front-that primarily attacks government-related targets. The government was less successful against the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), the most radical of the insurgent groups, which continued terrorist operations against a broad spectrum of Algerian civilian targets in 1996, including women, children, and journalists.
The GIA continued to target foreigners in 1996 and killed at least nine, a sharp decline from the 31 foreigners the group killed in 1995. The total number of foreigners killed by the GIA since 1992 exceeds 110. Most were "soft" targets, including a former Bulgarian attache, who was found beheaded in a forest in mid-November. Although no claims were made for his murder, Algiers blamed the GIA for his death. In August the GIA claimed responsibility for the murder of the French Bishop of Oran, who was killed by a bomb placed outside his residence.
Earlier in 1996 the GIA kidnapped and later beheaded seven French monks from their monastery near Medea. The GIA issued a communique claiming that the monks had been killed because Paris had refused to negotiate with the insurgent group. Algerian extremists are suspected in an explosion in a Paris subway on 3 December 1996 that killed four and wounded more than 80. The bomb used in that attack was similar to those used by the GIA in its bombing campaign in France in 1995.
The following is the U.S. State Department profile of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) terrorist organization:
Armed Islamic Group (GIA)
Description: An Islamic extremist group, the GIA aims to overthrow the secular Algerian regime and replace it with an Islamic state. The GIA began its violent activities in early 1992 after Algiers voided the victory of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS)--the largest Islamic party--in the first round of December 1991 legislative elections.
Activities: Frequent attacks against regime targets--particularly security personnel and government officials--civilians, journalists, teachers, and foreign residents. Since announcing its terrorist campaign against foreigners living in Algeria in September 1993, the GIA has killed about 100 expatriate men and women--mostly Europeans--in the country. The GIA uses assassinations and bombings, including car bombs, and it is known to favor kidnapping victims and slitting their throats. The GIA hijacked an Air France flight to Algiers in December 1994, and suspicions centered on the group for a series of bombings in France in 1995 and one there in late 1996.
Strength: Unknown, probably several hundred to several thousand.
Location/Area of Operation: Algeria.
External Aid: Algerian expatriates, many of whom reside in Western Europe, provide some
financial and logistic support. In addition, the Algerian Government has accused Iran and
Sudan of supporting Algerian extremists, and severed diplomatic relations with Iran in
March 1993.
Source: U.S. State Dept.and EmergencyNet News