ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — The Algerian military says it has killed 12 armed Islamist fighters and captured four others during a weekend offensive against extremists.

The Defense Ministry said that eight of the fighters were killed Sunday in Medea province, some 85 kilometers (53 miles) from Algiers.

It said that on Saturday it killed four and captured four others in the area of Rouakeche alongside a hoard of AK-47's, rocket launchers and other firearms.

Algeria's government has recently cracked down on groups of fighters linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. The groups have been weakened but remain active in rural areas.