Algeria: Two soldiers wounded in IED blast in Sidi Bel Abbès January 28

Event

At least two soldiers were wounded in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Sidi Bel Abbès province on Monday, January 28. According to security officials, the IED was placed on the side of a road and targeted a military patrol in the area. Further militant attacks are possible in the region in the near term.

Context

The threat of militancy is particularly high in the east and south of the country, as well as the Atlas Mountains region, a former stronghold of Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

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 (e.g. 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.).