(MENAFN - Qatar News Agency) At least 12 people were killed and 17 others injured in a suicide double bombing which targeted the military academy in Cherchell city, some 100 km to the west of Algiers, Friday evening. The almost simultaneous twin bombings took place at the Iftar (breakfast) time, killing ,a local security source said.
"The first attack was carried out by a pedestrian with an explosive belt who penetrated the backdoor of the academy and proceeded to the officer restaurant while the second suicide attacker was riding a motorbike," he revealed. "The attackers apparently took advantage of the weak guard at the Iftar time when soldiers prepare for breaking their daily fast in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan," the source said.
The deadly bombings triggered panic among the military personnel as well as the peaceful residents of the city. Though no militant group has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks, the security services believe the terrorist Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb is behind them.
Tunisia Condemns Bombing of Algerian Academy
The Tunisian Government has condemned the terrorist attack perpetrated against the Military Academy of Cherchell in Algeria, which killed and injured dozens of innocent people," a Foreign Affairs Ministry sources quoted by Tunisian news agency (TAP) said.
"Tunisia strongly condemns this criminal act targeting the security and stability of this sister country and expresses compassion and solidarity with the brotherly Algerian people in these painful circumstances," added the source.
The Tunisian Government reiterates, on the occasion, its total rejection of terrorism under all its forms, expressing confidence in the ability of Algeria to deal with this scourge and put an end to the dangers it poses to its security and stability.
Tunisian Army Officer Killed in Bombing of Algerian Academy
Tunisian Joint Military Commander Hamdi Ben Bechir Ouergui killed on Friday after the terrorist attack against the Joint Military Academy of Cherchell in Algeria, which claimed many victims among officers and civilians. The deceased was studying at the Algerian School of Staff in this academy since August 5 for a one-year period, as part of exchange of training and retraining of executives between Tunisian and Algerian staff schools, the official news agency (TAP) said.
