The Algerian Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that the army foiled a plan to target marches of movement across several areas in the country, and arrested five people said they were planning to target demonstrators with explosive devices.
The ministry said in a statement published on its website that the army and gendarmerie units (a force of the Ministry of Defense) "stopped between July 3 and 7, 5 elements of support for terrorist groups in the state of Batna (east)."
"After an in-depth investigation, it turned out that there were unidentified terrorists who were planning to carry out terrorist attacks targeting peaceful demonstrators across different parts of the country, using explosive devices," the statement said. The ministry gave no further details on the cell's affiliation.
Since February 22, Algeria has been witnessing popular rallies in several states that overthrew President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in early April and is now demanding the departure of its regime's symbols. The demonstrations were peaceful.
On July 6, Interior Minister Salaheddine Dahmoun confirmed that national security had foiled dangerous plots that were targeting the country, and that many problems would be revealed later, according to local media.