Security forces claim progress against militants

Security forces have killed 120 militants linked to al-Qaida in Algeria over the past six months and arrested 322, the government said.

Speaking at a police academy diploma ceremony in the capital, Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni attributed the results to increased security efforts in the North African country since August, when al Qaida’s local offshoot claimed responsibility for a series of suicide bombings that left over 100 people dead.

Mr Zerhouni said another 22 militants gave themselves up, and 150 weapons have been seized.

Those in custody include some high-ranking militant chiefs, such as Ali Bentouati – a senior “emir,” or commander, for the zone of central Algeria. He surrendered to police in January.

The minister pointed to the combined efforts police, paramilitary, intelligence and military forces used to fend off a resurgent Islamist militancy in Algeria.

The security sweeps are mainly due to “a better penetration of terror support networks and terrorist groups,” he was quoted as saying by the state news agency, APS. “This is the proof of evolving intelligence techniques.”

He also said enhanced collaboration with former militants, who benefit from an amnesty programme if they turn themselves in, was bearing fruit. Some 2,000 militants have surrendered since 2005 when the programme began.

Mr Zerhouni said security would be beefed up before the presidential election on April 9. Police forces, currently at about 160,000, will be raised to 200,000 by the end of the year, he said.

The minister’s rare comments on security issues came after the local branch of al-Qaida, known by the French language acronym AQMI, claimed responsibility for nine attacks in February that it said killed or wounded 47 people, mainly security forces. Authorities and Algerian media have reported a lower toll.