20101226
xinhuanet

ALGIERS, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Algerian army ambushed militants in the coastal province of Jijel, about 360 km east of the Algerian capital of Algiers, killing at least two and wounding five others, local Ennahar newspaper reported on Sunday, citing senior sources.

The operation, staged in Djemaa bni Habibi commune, about 40 km eastern Jijel, aimed to wipe out strongholds of the militants, some of militants are still on the run, according to the paper.

The militants were killed in a 45-minute gunbattle with the troops, the sources said, adding that the troops were backed by choppers.

Algeria faces an increasing threat by Islamist militants since the 1990s. The security forces have recently launched massive military operations against pro-al-Qaida groups, including the Al- Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

The AQIM has launched sporadic bombings and attacks across Algeria, but the level of violence in the North African nation has dropped in recent years.