Members of Al-Qaeda in Algeria Prominent leader of the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Abu Anas surrendered on Wednesday to the Algerian authorities after 12 years he spent fighting against Algerian security and military forces in the areas of Boumerdas, Tizi Ouzou and Bouire, security sources told Arabstoday.
Abu Anas was one of the most prominent leaders of the armed phalange working under the leadership of Abdulmalik Drodkal. He joined AQIM in 2000.
Many AQIM leaders have been surrendering to the Algerian authorities recently on the back of abroad military campaign carried out by the Algerian army in the mountainous areas where the AQIM fighters are hiding.
In the same context, local residents of Azfoun town in Tizi Ouzou have discovered the dead body of the 19 year old Ghilas Hadjou, a son of an Algerian contractor who was kidnapped last Thursday. Hadjou's body was found buried with his two legs tied to each other.
The victim's car was found few days ago, while it is yet to be known why he was kidnapped as the kidnappers didn't ask for ransom according to his father.