In addition to 18 terrorists neutralized, 12 Algerian and foreign workers died, according to a provisional toll which does not give any detail about the nationalities of the foreign victims.

A government source said that the Army raid was launched in "extremely complex" conditions to neutralize the multinational group of terrorists, who were armed with missiles, rocket launchers, grenades, machine guns and assault rifles, has avoided "a disaster" in the natural gas complex of Tiguentourine that could have caused more human casualties and "huge" material damage.

More than 600 workers held hostage in the terrorist attack of the natural gas complex of Tiguentourine, including nearly one hundred foreign workers, have been freed by the Army Special Forces.

A total of 573 Algerian workers and nearly half of the 132 foreign hostages have been released during the raid to neutralize the group of terrorists entrenched in the gas facility.

Army Special Forces are still trying to reach a "peaceful outcome" before neutralizing the terrorist group entrenched in the refinery and free the remaining hostages.