ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) - Suspected Islamist militants opened fire on a military patrol in northwestern Algeria(????), starting a gunbattle that left nine soldiers and six attackers dead, security forces said Sunday.
Up to 40 militants attacked the patrol as it conducted an anti-insurgency sweep Saturday near the town of Ben Allal, some 155 miles west of the capital, Algiers, witnesses and local security officials said.
The army called in helicopters and armored vehicles.
Algeria's insurgency broke out in 1992 after the army canceled legislative elections that an Islamic party appeared set to win. At least 200,000 have been killed, including civilians.
Large-scale violence died down in the late 1990s, but there have been several skirmishes in recent months, particularly in the east and center of the North African country.
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