Algerian troops arrest 12 militants in southern region

A militant cell composed of 12 criminals was dismantled in the southern region of Algeria in the first half of January, a statement of the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

The statement specifies that the arrested militants were plotting a terrorist attack in Algeria, with the complicity of other foreign terror groups.

This successful operation was conducted by a joint security force in the provinces of Ghardaia, Laghouat and In Amenas, 1,300 km southeast of Algiers, the statement said, adding that no casualties were recorded.

Algeria believes the chaos in Libya and violence in northern Mali facilitate the flow of terror groups and arms into its territory.

The North African nation has since raised alert over the terror threat and deployed thousand troops to the southern and eastern borders with violence-ridden Libya and Mali. Endit