Algerian Troops Wipe Out Rebel Base

PARIS —  Algerian soldiers have killed about 100 Muslim guerrillas and wiped out a main rebel base in a huge operation in the northeastern province of Tizi-Ouzou, the Algerian newspaper El Watan said Thursday.

Helicopters and special airborne troops were used in the five-day forest operation 60 miles east of Algiers, the capital.

“It resulted in the destruction of numerous hide-outs . . . a bomb-making factory and the discovery and destruction of a field hospital which served [the rebels] for the whole of the central region of the country,” the newspaper said.

Earlier this week, El Watan said 20 guerrillas were killed in a forest sweep Saturday and Sunday, and that on Monday troops were besieging rebels holed up in a cave.

Algerian security forces have been out in force in recent weeks, carrying out search operations against guerrillas ahead of June 5 parliamentary elections.