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Bomb attacks hit Algeria police | Bomb attacks hit Algeria police |
(30 minutes later) | |
At least four people have been killed in a series of bomb blasts that rocked police targets in north-east Algeria. | At least four people have been killed in a series of bomb blasts that rocked police targets in north-east Algeria. |
Four police stations were hit in the Kabylia region, about 100km (62 miles) east of the capital, Algiers, in apparently co-ordinated attacks. | |
It is unclear how many people were injured in the blasts. Residents said the bombs had been set off from vehicles near the buildings. | |
No-one has yet claimed responsibility for the bomb attacks. | |
But the army and Islamists have often clashed in the mountainous region. | |
Hot spot | Hot spot |
The police stations were in Si Mustafa, Draa Benkheda, Meklaa and Zemouri, residents said. | |
"I was woken by huge blast. I thought it was an earthquake," Si Mustafa resident Aaref Jumaa told Reuters news agency. | |
These attacks were the first to target police stations in the country since a series of truck bombs exploded in Algiers in October last year, killing three and wounding 24. | These attacks were the first to target police stations in the country since a series of truck bombs exploded in Algiers in October last year, killing three and wounding 24. |
But last month 15 people were killed in clashes between an Islamist group and the army - the first major clashes for several months. | But last month 15 people were killed in clashes between an Islamist group and the army - the first major clashes for several months. |
Last August, Algeria offered Islamist militants a six-month amnesty on condition of surrender, but fewer than 300 came forward. | Last August, Algeria offered Islamist militants a six-month amnesty on condition of surrender, but fewer than 300 came forward. |
Militants were promised immunity from prosecution provided they were not involved in serious crimes such as massacres, rapes and bombings. | Militants were promised immunity from prosecution provided they were not involved in serious crimes such as massacres, rapes and bombings. |
The region is also a centre of Berber identity in Algeria. | The region is also a centre of Berber identity in Algeria. |
In 1980, Kabylia was the centre of the Berber Spring, in which mass protests called for Berber to be made an official language. | In 1980, Kabylia was the centre of the Berber Spring, in which mass protests called for Berber to be made an official language. |