Algeria: Suicide attack targets police in Tiaret August 31

Event

On Thursday, August 31, a suicide attack was carried out against a police station in Tiaret (west) around 08:00 (local time). At least two policemen were killed. The surrounding area has been cordoned off and the city is on alert.

Context

This marks the second suicide bombing attack of a police building since the beginning of the year in Algeria. Islamist groups remain active in the country, including Al-Qa’ida and Islamic State (IS) affiliates, which mainly target security forces.

Advice

Due to the risk of terrorism throughout the country, individuals present in Algeria are advised to maintain a high degree of vigilance, to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities, and to be particularly cautious when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels, and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.).

Due to these and other security concerns, a number of Western governments advise against travel to the desert regions of central and southern Algeria, including the entire border with Libya. Only a few large cities (Algiers, Oran, and Tlemncen) should be considered relatively safe thanks to a heavy security presence.