An Algerian jihadist was killed Thursday morning during an anti-terrorism operation in the Medea region in northern Algeria, the Algerian defense ministry said in the evening.
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"
As part of the fight against terrorism, an army detachment shot dead a terrorist (...) during a search and sweeping operation in the Jebel Echaoun
", located in the wilaya (prefecture) of Médéa, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the operation was still ongoing. The term “
terrorist
” is used by the authorities to designate armed Islamists who have remained active since the civil war of the “
black decade
” (1992-2002). The military detachment seized a submachine gun and ammunition. No other details were disclosed.
Since January 1, nine armed Islamists have been killed in clashes with soldiers and one has been "
captured
", according to the Defense Ministry. Three soldiers were killed. Despite the implementation in 2005 of a Charter for Peace and Reconciliation, supposed to turn the page on the civil war (200,000 dead), Islamist armed groups remain active, particularly in eastern Algeria, where they generally target security forces. An Algerian jihadist who had joined "
terrorist groups
" in the Sahel was arrested on Saturday by the army at the other end of the country, in Tamanrasset, near the border with Mali. Since the beginning of the year, five jihadists have surrendered to the Algerian authorities in Bordj Badji Mokhtar, a town bordering Mali.