Three soldiers and four communal guards died Saturday following a hand-made bomb blast, near Aïn Aïcha, commune of Sidi Chaïb, in Sidi Bel-Abbès (440km west of Algiers), said Sunday the Ministry of National Defense in a release.
"Following the explosion of a hand-made bomb during a procession of a group of communal guards reinforced by members of the Popular National Army (ANP), activating the in the sector of Sidi Bel-Abbès/Military Region II, on Saturday 12 July 2014 at 7:45, near Aïn Aïcha, commune of Sidi Chaïb, three soldiers and four communal guards fell to the field of honor," the same source said.
Soon after the blast, "the Army launched a cordon and search operation in the area," the ministry said, affirming that "this criminal act has only reinforced the Army determination to chase and eliminate the terrorist groups and clear the country of their heinous acts."