Suicide attack leaves dozens dead at Algerian police academy

2008-08-19

A suicide bombing on Tuesday killed dozens of young military recruits. Some observers noted similarities to al Qaeda operations in Iraq.

Said Jameh in Algiers contributed to this report – 19/08/08

[Said Jameh] Military and emergency personnel assess damage from Tuesday's deadly suicide attack in Algeria.

In the deadliest act of terrorism to hit Algeria so far this year, a suicide bomber killed at least 43 people and injured 38 early Tuesday (August 19th). The explosion targeted a line of young applicants waiting to register for the entry exam at a paramilitary police training school at Issers, about 60km east of Algiers.

"This is an act against Algerians," said Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni at the blast site, surrounded by heavy security and journalists. Zerhouni and National Gendarmerie Commander Ahmed Boustila arrived on the scene directly after the attack to assess the casualties.

Zerhouni said the attack was carried out by "elements hiding in the mountain ranges in extending from Tizi Ouzou into Skikda through Bejaia and Jijel".

The explosion was heard in neighbouring towns and victims' body parts were widely strewn, indicating the strength of the bomb.

"It's utter carnage, it's a catastrophe. May God punish them for the crime they have committed against these youngsters and their country," one victim's father told AFP.

A security source, who refused to reveal his identity, said the explosion also killed three civilians driving by the scene as well as a baby on a public transport bus.

At about 7:00 am, the entrance of the gendarmerie officer and non-commissioned officers' training school was filled with scores of candidates from provinces across Algeria waiting in line. Only the top baccalaureate graduates are eligible to take the entrance exams.

It remains unclear as to whether there was only one bomber who detonated a car bomb or if there was another terrorist wearing a suicide vest who infiltrated the line of students.

Observers noted the similarity to suicide bomb attacks carried out by al Qaeda in Iraq against new army and police recruits.

"Al-Qaeda had to carry out spectacular operation," said Algerian security expert Mouloud Morchedi, after the recent severe blows dealt to them, particularly the killing of 12 terrorists two weeks ago in Tizi Ouzou, including emirs of al Qaeda.

According to Morchedi, today's attack indicates that al-Qaeda is expanding its operational reach beyond Tizi Ouzou and Boumerdes provinces.

The toll from today's suicide attack surpasses the 41 victims of the December 11th, 2007 suicide bombings at the UNHCR offices and the Constitutional Court in Algiers.

Tuesday's bombing in Issers follows a deadly clash Sunday (August 17th), when more than 20 armed men attacked a three-vehicle convoy patrolling the mountainous region of Oued Zega, near Skikda. After detonating road mines, terrorists opened fire on security officers who had come to support their colleagues. At least three soldiers and eight judicial police officers were killed, local and international press reports said. The attack also left 12 security officers wounded. Regional military commander Lieutenant-Colonel Rahmouni Mohammed was among the victims.

Terrorists stripped the dozen dead officers of their uniforms and weapons, AFP reported. According to the AP, the officers were also beheaded.

Three days earlier, also in the restive area east of Algiers, Jijel regional military commander Colonel Abdelkader Yamani and his driver were killed when their vehicle was targeted by a remote-controlled bomb.