Algeria: Roadside bomb kills five soldiers in Bir El Ater Feb. 14

Event

Five soldiers were killed when a bomb detonated near the city of Bir El Ater in the wilaya of Tebessa on Wednesday, February 14. According to authorities, the homemade bomb was buried near a road frequently used by security forces operating in the area. Two other soldiers were severely wounded in the blast. 

An anti-terrorist military operation was reportedly launched in response to the attack.

Context

Anti-terrorist operations are conducted on a regular basis in Algeria and authorities regularly use the word "terrorist" to refer to armed Islamists, active in the country since the 1990s. The threat 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 (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.).