Algeria violence claims 20 lives

ALGIERS, Algeria, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Twenty people, including 17 government troops and three Islamic militants, were killed in recent violence in Algeria, reports said Tuesday.

The daily al-Khabar said armed Islamic groups ambushed troops and municipal guards in the province of Baskara, 500 kilometers (312 miles) southeast of Algiers, inflicting a large number of casualties.

It said at least 17 soldiers and guards were killed and dozens wounded.

In another incident, security forces clashed with Muslim militants in western Algeria on Monday killing three and capturing one.

Security sources said the government forces also seized weapons and communications equipment from the gunmen.