ALGIERS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Algeria on Monday strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack that killed 13 gendarmes in western Niger, APS news agency reported.
"Algeria strongly condemns the terrorist attack that targeted a unit of the Nigerien gendarmerie in the village of Ayorou, killing 13 troops who fell in the field of honor, as they were deployed there to secure the border with Mali," Algerian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"We extend our sincere condolences to the victims' families and express our full solidarity with the Nigerien government and people," said the statement.
Algeria will remain convinced that "whatever the sacrifices are, the Nigerien people, the army and the armed forces will be able to repel terrorism and thwart its bloody plots."
Algeria, which "has always demonstrated its solidarity with brotherly countries and peoples, will continue to support the collective effort aiming at strengthening counter-terrorism strategy at the regional and international levels."
As many as 13 Nigerien gendarmes were killed and 5 others were wounded when gunmen on pick-up trucks and motorcycles raided their base in western Niger, local media reported on Saturday.
The attack occurred near the spot where four U.S. soldiers were killed in ambush on Oct. 4.
