Car Bomb Claims 14 Near Algerian Military Hospital

A car bomb exploded Tuesday near a cafe not far from Algeria’s largest military hospital, killing 14 people and wounding 41 others, Algerian TV reported.

The bomb went off at a cafe in suburban Ain Nadja frequented by personnel from the hospital, security sources said. It was not immediately known whether soldiers or army health-care workers were among the victims.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion fell on the Armed Islamic Group, the most radical of the Islamic militant factions trying to topple Algeria’s government.

Last week, the group warned civilians to avoid military installations.

More than 40,000 people have been killed since Muslim radicals went to war after the military canceled 1992 legislative elections that an Islamic party was expected to win.

There has been a resurgence of violence since the Nov. 16 re-election of President Liamine Zeroual, a former general appointed last year. Turnout for the voting was high, despite threats by the rebels.