WORLD
The Al Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for the deadly bombings in Algeria on Wednesday, Al Jazeera television said.
ALGIERS: Bombs killed 30 people in Algeria's capital on Wednesday, attacks claimed by al Qaeda that raised fears the north African oil exporter was slipping back into the intense political violence of the 1990s.
One of the blasts, believed to be a suicide bombing, ripped part of the facade off the prime minister's headquarters in the centre of Algiers. A second bomb hit Bab Ezzouar on its eastern outskirts, the official APS news agency said.
Al-Qaeda's branch in North Africa claimed responsibility for the deadly bomb attacks, publishing photographs of the three alleged suicide bombers in an Internet statement.
The statement on an Islamist website often used by the Al-Qaeda network of Osama bin Laden said three militants carried out the car bombings which it said killed at least 53 people. Algerian officials said at least 23 people died and more than 160 were wounded in the attacks.
The statement, whose authenticity could not be verified, said that Mouadh ben Jabel detonated 700 kilos of explosives outside the prime minister's office "killing 45 and wounding an unknown number, as well as partially destroying the building."
Fellow suicide bomber Zoubeir Abou Sajida attacked Interpol's offices with a similar sized charge in the eastern suburb of Bab Ezzouar "destroying the building and killing at least eight apostates," it said.
A third bomber, Abou Dajjana, blew up 500 kilos of explosives on the road to Algiers airport, also in Bab Ezzouar, in an attack targeting "police special forces headquarters ... destroying the building, killing and wounding many apostates."
The pictures accompanying the statement showed three men wearing traditional Tuareg headscarves, each flanked by two assault rifles. Only one of the men had his face uncovered.
The statement from the "Al-Qaeda Movement in Islamic Countries of the Maghreb" promised more attacks.
"We will not be in peace until we have liberated all the land of Islam from crusaders, apostates and agents, and we have retaken our Andalusia (in southern Spain) and our violated Al-Quds (Jerusalem)."
It said the group had carried out several anti-government attacks in Algeria since April 1.
Meanwhile, hospital sources put the toll from the two bombings at 30. Earlier, the official APS news agency put the toll at 17 dead with 82 wounded.
Leila Aissaoui, 25, stood crying near the government palace.
"I thought explosions in Algiers were over," she said. "I made a big mistake and I can't accept this."
Algeria descended into violence in 1992 after the then military-backed authorities scrapped a parliamentary election, which an Islamist political party was set to win. Up to 200,000 people were killed in the ensuing bloodshed.
That violence subsided in recent years following amnesties for insurgents, but rumbles on in mountains east of Algiers. Residents said Wednesday was the first time since the 1990s that a powerful bomb targeted the centre of the Mediterranean city where police had stepped up security following a rise in attacks by insurgents in the countryside.
The blast at the prime minister's headquarters gouged a gaping hole in the six-storey building, shattering windows and showering rubble on to cars for blocks around.
Police sources said the attack was a suicide bombing.
Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, who was not harmed, was quoted by APS as calling the attack a "criminal and cowardly act". Speaking to state television, he described the blast as a terrorist attack.
"At first I thought it was an earthquake," said lawyer Tahar bin Taleb. "My wife called me a few moments later crying and shouting. I ran home to find all the mirrors and windows in the house were shattered."
Dozens of ambulances converged on the upscale residential neighbourhood as thousands of people poured on to the streets and survivors were led from the building.
Medics carried the bloodied and burned victims in their arms and on stretchers from the government palace.
"I am horrified and indignant after the attacks which have just struck Algiers," French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said in a statement.
"I convey my sincerest condolences to the victims' families and assure the Algerian authorities of our full solidarity in their fight against terrorism." France ruled Algeria before independence in 1962.
One Algerian analyst said the operation appeared to be a reply to stepped-up attacks by the army on Islamist insurgents in the Bejaia region in mountains east of Algiers.
"This is a violent reaction to Bejaia operation where important leaders of al Qaeda in the Maghreb are surrounded," said security expert Anis Rahmani.
"I do believe though, that that group has no capability to topple the government but obviously it has the means to disturb the life of peaceful people in Algiers."
Video shows Korean girl eating jalebi for first time, her reaction to Indian sweet goes viral
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms THIS YouTube star as his next guest, says, 'Will break Internet'
Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP releases first list of 11 candidates for 2025 polls
Adani Group's FIRST REACTION after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
Instagram introduces new feature, know how to reset app's algorithm, change your feed
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro launched in India, check specifications, price, other details
Charges against Gautam Adani: BJP's scathing attack on Congress, questions timing of development
Jasprit Bumrah's BIG statement on taking up Perth test captaincy, says, 'tactically better...'
Blackout on breaks: Company imposes no-sick-leave policy until 2025
Drug-laden terrorists on India's western, northern frontiers
Mohammad Shami trolls Sanjay Manjrekar over IPL auction bid prediction, says, 'Baba ki...'
IND vs AUS Test: When and where to watch 1st match of Border-Gavaskar trophy, know details here
CAQM amends Grap Stages III, IV, enforces stricter measures in Delhi-NCR amid air pollution woes
Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away at 60 after suffering from...
Adani Green Energy's FIRST reaction after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
'Keep me out of...': Pakistani Instagram star Mathira on MMS leak controversy
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI marginally improves from 'severe' to 'very poor' category
'I love him, he loves me! Why hurt...': Rekha's bold confession about Amitabh Bachchan goes viral
Meet man, IITian who built Rs 5493 crore firm, has this Mukesh Ambani connection, he is from...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 21, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
‘I didn’t have time to…’: When AR Rahman revealed having ‘agreement’ before marriage to Saira Banu
Viral video: Woman's sizzling belly dance to 'Namak' impresses internet, watch
Hardik Pandya banned, Mumbai Indians captain to miss first match of IPL 2025 due to...
Meet man who studied at IIM, IIT, then built Rs 1160000000 company, got inspired by…
Meet woman, who quit as dentist for UPSC exam, became IAS officer with AIR...
Viral video: Little girl steals hearts with her adorable dance to 'o meri cutie', watch
Gautam Adani's company signs another pact to acquire 100% stake in...
CBSE Date Sheet 2025 announced: Class 10, 12 board exams to begin from...
Apollena: Aditi Sharma on how space-based drama encourage young girls, says 'no matter how many...'
Is Mia Khalifa dating ex-Man City star Julian Alvarez? Former adult star says 'It certainly...'
IPL 2025 auction RTM rule: How this year’s right-to-match card is different from previous seasons
'Virat Kohli is trying to...': Shoaib Akhtar makes BIG statement on Champions Trophy 2025
Maharashtra Election 2024: Mukesh Ambani and family cast their votes in Mumbai
Centre revises performance-linked incentive scheme for THESE employees; check details
Manipur violence: Prohibitory orders to be relaxed in Imphal Valley for 7 hours
Jharkhand Exit Poll Results 2024: 36-41 seats predicted for BJP, JMM to secure…
Elon Musk faces big threat after million of users switch from X to Jack Dorsey's Bluesky
ICC Rankings: Hardik Pandya reclaims No. 1 T20I all-rounder spot, Tilak Varma enters top 10
DNA Verified: Is retirement age for central govt employees increasing to 62? Know truth here
Android 16 preview unveiled by Google: Who can access it? Here's all you need to know
Anti-pollution diet: Foods that can help fight air pollution naturally
Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson's face 'blows up' after anti-aging experiment; here’s how
Expanding Horizons: GOCL Corporation’s Strategic Diversification in Electronics and Metal Cladding
TrezarBit App Review 2024: Legit Trading Platform? Quick Facts!
Meet man who worked closely with Isha Ambani, Mukesh Ambani, set to take new role as...
Meet man, lifted bricks 8 hours a day, cracked NEET by studying on broken phone, he scored...
US embassy in Kyiv shuts down after receiving warning of 'potential significant' Russian air attack
Anil Ambani's next BIG step, Reliance Group announces new plan for...
Jaguar reveals new brand logo, identity ahead of EV debut
Playing with Fire: Will Putin risk nuclear Armageddon before Trump takes office?