Three Algerians were killed as they drove trucks from Mauritania, the Algerian presidency said on Wednesday, blaming its neighbour Morocco for the attack.
The incident took place on Monday. The three Algerians worked in trade, moving trucks between the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott and the central Algerian city of Ouargla.
"Their assassination will not go unpunished," the presidency said.
It added that several factors indicate that Moroccan forces in Western Sahara, which borders Mauritania, carried out the attack "with sophisticated weapons."
Algerian authorities are investigating the incident, which it described as “despicable” and "cowardly."
Morocco did not comment.
Algeria backs Polisario
On Tuesday, the Mauritanian army denied in a statement that any attack took place inside the country, after reports circulated that Algerian trucks were hit in a strike.
The development comes more than two months after Algeria severed ties with Morocco, following an extended conflict mainly revolving around the Western Sahara.
Morocco claims large parts of Western Sahara, while Algeria backs the Polisario movement, which is fighting for the territory's independence.
