Oil companies facilitated the way to In Amenas attackers: sources

Investigators criticized national and foreign oil and gas companies for leaving ways unpaved which were used by terrorists who attacked Tiguentourine complex in In Amenas, a month ago.

According to sources, the companies’ officials have already been warned of unpaved ways danger. They are used in oil and gas exploration. They are described as “safe routes” to armed convoys. They are linked to each other on long distances in the desert. Other ways lead to borders between Algeria and its neighbors such as Libya and Morocco. That enables to armed groups and smugglers to use them away from paved routes.

“The companies could have hidden the routes as they had enough money to do that. Because of that, they are partially held responsible,” the same source told Echorouk.

Five years ago, a number of gendarmes were killed by a terrorist group which trapped them in the province of Ghardaia (south of Algeria) after they had used an unpaved short way to attend a regional meeting.