Dozens Killed At Muslim Mosque

Thirty peasants begged for mercy as Muslim militants shot and hacked them to death in a mosque, witnesses said. A pool of blood and a handful of shoes lay at its entrance Monday.

The massacre was part of a wave of violence before the Islamic holy month of Ramadan - and the sixth anniversary of the beginning of an insurgency against Algeria’s government. The fighting has left more than 75,000 dead, including at least 48 were killed over the weekend.

The attackers’ chief told the victims: “Ask your God to save you,” witnesses said. Many of those who survived the gunfire were hacked to death. Some were beheaded.