The Algerian ministry of defense announced that 12 suspects were arrested on terrorism charges. Nine of the detainees were arrested for the possession of weapons and three for supporting extremist groups. The Algerian army has been intensifying its activity in regions that were controlled by extremists years ago. On its website, the ministry said that the nine individuals were arrested in In Guezzam and Tamanrasset, near the border with Niger. It added that the army seized eight firearms, a hunting rifle and four kilograms of gunpowder. In another region at the southern border, 14 kilograms of explosives and two automatic pistols were confiscated. The ministry did not provide any additional details regarding the military operation. The border regions are known hubs for arms smuggling and human and drug trafficking. The three other suspects were detained in Setif (300 kilometers east of the capital Algiers) on suspicion of supporting terrorists. The ministry did not provide further details. During years of conflict with extremists, Setif remained safe from terrorist attacks that plagued eastern Algeria.