ALGIERS: A bomb explosion followed by a suicide attack outside a military academy in Algeria killed at least 18 officers in training Friday, a hospital said. With at least 20 wounded, the toll was expected to rise, according to the Sidi Ghilas hospital where the victims were taken.The attacks began Friday evening when a bomb exploded just outside a military academy in Cherchell, 110 miles (180 kilometers) west of the capital, Algiers. Soldiers dining at a restaurant — which was within the base but near its perimeter — raced from their tables to see what had happened, according to security officials.
As a crowd gathered, a suicide bomber with explosives strapped to his body drove his motorcycle at them, the officials said. The city was sealed off after the attack and the army chief of staff, Gen. Gaid Salah, arrived by helicopter shortly after to survey the scene.
Although no one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, similar assaults have been blamed on Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.