Unconfirmed twin suicide attacks hit Blida, Algeria, during Pope Leo XIV’s visit; authorities have yet to confirm any link to the papal trip.
Newsroom (14/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) Authorities in Algeria are investigating reports of twin suspected suicide bombings in the city of Blida, southwest of Algiers, just as Pope Leo XIV began his historic visit to the North African country. Government officials have not yet confirmed the incidents or any link between the blasts and the papal tour.
A source with knowledge of the case told AFP on April 14 that “there were two security incidents yesterday afternoon in Blida, incidents of a terrorist nature. Two suicide bombers blew themselves up and were killed.” Video footage verified by AFP showed two bodies lying in the street, apparently the result of the explosions.
The blasts were reported on April 13, coinciding with the American pontiff’s arrival in Algiers — the first papal visit to Algeria and the opening leg of his four-nation African tour. It remains unclear when the video images were filmed, though they were circulated online shortly after the pope’s landing in the capital.
Footage Shows Mutilated Corpses Amid Rain
Videos from the scene depicted the bodies lying on a road at the intersection of Palestine Street and Mohamed Boudiaf Boulevard in Blida, a city about 45 kilometres south of Algiers. Passers-by were seen covering the corpses with sheets as light rain fell, while a small crowd gathered nearby. The remains appeared severely mutilated, and the exact circumstances of their deaths could not be independently verified.
The street is located near several commercial shops and a police station, raising concerns about how the attackers managed to reach the area. Social media posts sharing the disturbing footage quickly circulated as local authorities maintained silence.
Security Context and Historical Precedent
Algeria’s army frequently reports operations against “terrorists,” its term for armed Islamists who have persisted since the country’s bloody civil war between 1992 and 2002. Despite sporadic skirmishes, large-scale attacks have grown rare in recent years. The last recorded suicide bombing occurred in February 2020, targeting a military outpost near the Malian border and killing one soldier. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for that attack.
In March this year, the Algerian army said it killed seven jihadists during counterterrorism operations near the Tunisian frontier, losing three soldiers in the process.
African Union’s Premature Statement and Retraction
The African Union initially weighed in on the reported Blida blasts, referring to them as an “attempted double attack” in a statement on April 14. The regional body later retracted its comments, saying the information had “not been corroborated by official sources.”
The deleted statement, issued in the name of AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the twin attack of April 13, offered condolences to victims’ families, and wished recovery to those injured. The release was subsequently removed from the AU’s official webpage and social media platforms following verification concerns.
Uncertainty and Silence from Algerian Officials
As of April 14, Algerian authorities had yet to confirm any details regarding the blasts or respond publicly to the AU’s deleted statement. The timing of the suspected attacks, coinciding with Pope Leo XIV’s arrival under strict security, has prompted speculation but no official comment.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit marks a milestone in interfaith diplomacy. It is the first time any pontiff has traveled to Algeria—an effort widely seen as a gesture toward reconciliation and dialogue in a nation still recovering from decades of extremist violence.
Continued silence from Algerian officials suggests a careful balancing act between confirming facts and maintaining stability during a high-profile international event watched closely across Africa and beyond.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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