So far in 2007 there have been a number of bomb attacks in Algeria. The most significant incidents have been:
On 21 September 2007, a bomb attack in Bouira injured at least nine people, including two French nationals and one Italian national.
On 8 September 2007, a car bomb targeted the naval barracks in Dellys, 70km east of Algiers, killing at least 28 people and injuring over 60.
On 6 September 2007, a bomb attack occurred amongst a crowd gathered outside a mosque in the wilaya of Batna, killing 20 people and injuring around 100.
On 11 July 2007, a bomb attack occurred near a military barracks in Lakhdaria in the wilaya of Bouira killing at least eight soldiers and injuring more than 20.
On 11 April 2007, three bomb attacks occurred in Algiers at two separate locations, killing 33 people and injuring over 100 others. One car bomb exploded near a building housing the offices of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister in the centre of Algiers. Two further bomb attacks took place in the district of Bab Ezzaour, close to a police station. The attacks were claimed by Al Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M), a name adopted by Algerian terrorist group the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in January 2007.
Foreign workers and their means of transport have also been targets for attacks. On 3 March 2007, a bus carrying foreign workers in the Ain Defla district (south of Algiers) was targeted in a bomb attack, killing three Algerians and one Russian and injuring several others. On 10 December 2006, two minibuses carrying expatriate workers were targeted in a bomb and gun attack at Bouchaoui, in the western suburbs of Algiers. One Algerian national and one Lebanese national were killed. Six foreigners, including three British citizens, were injured.
The Sahara Desert and mountainous regions in the south of the country have not normally been subject to terrorist violence, but the abduction of a group of unaccompanied foreign tourists there in early 2003 underlined the potential risk to travellers in the region. We therefore advise caution when travelling to the south eastern wilayas of Tamanrasset and Illizi and recommend that you travel with a reputable tour company or an approved local guide.
You should also exercise caution when travelling in the area close to the border with Mauritania and Mali. Incidents have shown that there is an increased risk of terrorist attacks, banditry and kidnapping in these areas.
If you are planning to travel to Algeria, you should be very careful about your personal security arrangements throughout your visit. We recommend varying unavoidable travel, changing the timings and routes of regular journeys where possible. For more information see Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas.
Crime
Most visits to Algeria are trouble-free. In certain areas of larger cities there are incidents of robbery (muggings), bag snatching, pick-pocketing and thefts of and from motor vehicles. There have been reports of car-jackings and robberies and thefts by criminals posing as police officers outside the main cities. You should avoid areas that you do not know, especially after dark. Do not carry large amounts of money or valuables around with you.
