Algerians enjoy shopping during Ramadan

By Dr. Omima Ahmed, IOL Algeria Correspondent

ALGERIA, November 8 (IslamOnline.net) – Political analysts believe the security measures taken by Algerian authorities during Ramadan – when attacks of armed groups against civilians and police forces usually intensify – have largely contributed to limit the scope of such attacks and allowed citizens to enjoy quiet, secure Ramadan nights.

The death toll amounted to 10 victims since the beginning of Ramadan; a relatively small number compared to previous years.

Victims of violent incidents during Ramadan in 1997 have topped 3000. It amounted to genocides, but such numbers decrease gradually year after another with the improvement of the security conditions in Algeria.

Armed groups usually declare the intensification of what they term “Jihad against Satan and his followers” during the holy month of Ramadan.

Algerian authorities have intensified security measures since the beginning of Ramadan in popular markets, public halls, crowded streets in Algerian towns, particularly large cities, to maintain security for the people.

Ramadan this year is the quietest and most secure, encouraging Algerians to spend Ramadan nights outdoors, either in markets or in entertainment places, designed particularly for the holy month.

Algerian army forces, for their part, have launched extensive attacks against the armed groups, killing 16 armed men in three days.

“The security forces liquidated 10 terrorists and restored several machineguns in Saida and Gulaizan provinces,” a communiqué of the Algerian security agencies read Friday, November 7.

A source close to the security agencies, who refused to be named, told IslamOnline.net that the army forces attacked an armed group Thursday, eventually killing eight. Military forces also killed two armed people in Awlad Eiiesh district.

The military forces also killed six other armed persons Wednesday, November 5, in Assas Mountain, during a military operation similar to the previous two.

Despite the security measures taken during the holy month, the armed groups managed to penetrate through their mountainous edifices and kill four persons Wednesday and Thursday in Media and Sacdida provinces, according to Algerian newspapers.