Algeria foils Islamic State group-linked mall attack

A plot by an IS-linked group to attack a shopping mall in Algeria's eastern city of Setif has been thwarted by the country's security services, a government-owned newspaper reported on Wednesday. 

According to El Massa, the cell had planned to carry out a deadly attack on Park Mall in Setif, 300km (190 miles) southwest of the capital, Algiers.

The mall attracts around 40,000 visitors per year.

Security sources revealed the plotters had connections to Islamic State group fighters in Libya, where the militants have gained a foothold since the country's civil war in 2011.

It is thought that this same cell was also involved in a shootout with the Algerian army earlier this month, when eight armed Islamist militants were killed during an ambush in the mountainous area of Medea, around 80km (50 miles) south of Algiers.

The foiled attack was due to take place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which the IS group has not ceased its operations.

The IS group is also the chief suspect after Tuesday's suicide attack on passengers at Istanbul's Ataturk airport, which killed at least 41 people and injured 239 more.

According to a graphic released by the IS-group on Wednesday, Algeria is a country where the militants maintain a "presence of covert units". 

Figures cited by AFP estimate that Algerian security services have killed some 70 Islamist militants in the country's east and south since March this year.