ALGIERS: The head of US land forces in Africa praised Algeria Monday for leading the fight against Islamic militants in the Sahel region and said progress was being made.
"This is a regional issue where Algerian land forces have taken the leadership role and it is very impressive the progress that has been made," said Major General David Hogg, the commander of US Army Africa, at a news conference during a two-day visit.
Algeria has led a high-profile military and political push also involving Mauritania, Mali and Niger against militants of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb (AQIM), the regional offshot of the global terror network.
The four countries set up a joint command centre in the southern Algerian city of Tamanrasset to spearhead the fight against militant groups, who have become increasingly active in the Sahel region and have targeted Western nationals as hostages.
"With the leadership of the Algerian armed forces and the work that they are doing down there for coordination, progress is being made and it is going to take a regional approach to do it," said Hogg, who reiterated Washington’s continued support for Algeria in security issues.
