An ambush on the Algerian paramilitary took place on June 17, 2009 at 8:00 pm (19:00 GMT), when Algerian paramilitary escorting Chinese construction workers to a motorway project came under attack from Islamist rebels. Early reports suggested 18 soldiers were killed; some news outlets are reporting that 24 soldiers were killed. Attacks such as these had been thought to be decreasing prior to the incident, but suddenly began to increase again. The attack was the deadliest aimed at Algeria's government forces for six months.