Algeria: Al-Qaeda deputy killed
2007-10-09 14:33
Algiers - The deputy chief of al-Qaeda's North Africa wing was killed along with two other rebels in a gunbattle with Algerian troops, said reports.
Hareg Zoheir, also known as Sofiane Abu Fasila, was said to be the second-in-command of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and believed to be behind planning most of the suicide bombings in Algeria in the recent months.
He was shot dead on Sunday at a check point in the eastern region of Tzizi Ouzou, the country's leading dailies reported.
Two other rebels were also killed alongside him during a clash with government troops at the check point, said reports.
It was reported that both were also suspected to be involved in preparing suicide attacks.
- Reuters