Security measures prohibit use of non paved roads in southern Algeria

Commands of military zones and the National Gendarmerie in southern Algeria are going to prevent the use of non paved and secondary roads at night in Tamnrasset, Bechar, Tindouf, Illizi and Adrar.This new security measure came after counter-terrorism forces in the south had learnt that those roads had been used to smuggle weapons to the strongholds of the Salafist Group for Preaching and combat (GSPC) for the last seven years.

Earlier, the killing of 5 terrorists in February showed that many roads in the desert constitute the umbilical cord of the so-called al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Huge quantities of smuggled weapons were seized.

The new instructions prevent vehicles and people from arriving to large places as they are considered as restricted military areas.

Security forces have sure information which shows that those places have been used by a terrorist from Al-Qaeda. The instructions order to warn the trucks and shot them if they do not stop.

Counter-terrorism forces and security forces are set to lead a so-called decisive battle with terrorists after surrounding them in southern Algeria.