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Attack on Algerian military academy leaves 18 dead

2011-08-28 06:41:52 GMT+7 (ICT)

ALGIERS (BNO NEWS) -- At least 18 people were killed on Friday and dozens were injured in an attack on a military academy in Algeria, the Ministry of National Defense confirmed on Saturday.

Two suicide bombers on Friday targeted the Cherchell military academy, located west of the Algerian capital, as officers were breaking their fast during the holy month of Ramadan, killing 16 officers and two civilians. Twenty-six people were injured, of whom six remain in hospital, according to the state-run Algerian Press Service.

The Ministry of National Defense attributed the attack to "terrorist groups", but no group has claimed responsibility as of late Saturday. Several political parties condemned the act, which targeted elements of the National People's Army.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague also condemned the "brutal and callous attack" and offered his condolences to the families of those killed in the attack and to the Algerian government. "The timing, at exactly the point when the officers were about to sit down to iftar (breaking of the fast), demonstrates that these terrorists have absolutely no regard for human life nor respect for Ramadan," he said.

Algeria recently launched massive military operations against pro al-Qaeda groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-08-28