North Africa

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Monday, 17 March 2008 19:00

The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated a March 17, 2008 communiqué issued by "the Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" (formerly known as the Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat, GSPC) granting Austria an extension to respond to their conditions for the release of two Austrian hostages. The statement declares, "Following the expiration of the three-day period given to the state of Austria to resolve the issue of the two kidnapped tourists--and after we accepted the request of the negotiating delegation--we wish to inform the public that the mujahideen have decided to grant Austria an additional week-long extension, starting last night at midnight. This is the final chance offered by the mujahideen (to the Austrians) to keep a clean conscience in dealing with the two families of the kidnapped persons and the Austrian people."

AQIM Claims Kidnapping of Two Austrian Tourists in Tunisia

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Wednesday, 12 March 2008 19:00

The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated a March 10, 2008 communiqué issued by "the Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" (formerly known as the Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat, GSPC) claiming credit for the alleged kidnapping of two Austrian tourists in Tunisia. According to the statement, "We direct a message to the Western tourists who flow in waves to the country of Tunisia, seeking to enjoy themselves while our brothers in Gaza are simultaneously being slaughtered by the Jews with help from the Western world... The hands of the mujahideen can reach you wherever you are in the country of Tunisia, so study this lesson carefully."

"Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" Claims "The Battle of the Martyr Abdelkader Abu al-Baraa"

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Friday, 08 February 2008 19:00

The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated a January 29, 2008 communiqué issued by "the Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" (formerly known as the Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat, GSPC) claiming responsibility for a massive suicide truck bombing targeting the headquarters of the Algerian judicial police in the city of Al-Thaniya. According to the statement, "the brave martyr Hamza Abu Abdelrahman from the town of Lakatah… embarked on his mission... at 6:30 in the morning, driving his truck—packed with no less than 650 kilograms of explosives... The claims of our enemies that the mujahideen are targeting innocent Muslims are fraudulent lies, for those who died today are all from the apostate police."

"Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" Claims Attack on the Israeli Embassy in Mauritania

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Friday, 08 February 2008 19:00

The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated a February 2, 2008 communiqué issued by "the Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" (formerly known as the Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat, GSPC) claiming responsibility for an attack on the Israeli embassy in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott. According to the statement, "The mujahideen took the embassy by surprise by firing their weapons and setting off explosives, and they managed—thanks to Allah—to cause an undetermined number of casualties among the Jews and their guards. The Mauritanian government has kept silent about that number, and has only acknowledged that three French nationals were wounded. This attack has come at a time during which the wretched Jews are treating our brothers in Palestine unjustly, with an oppressive siege, tyranny, torture, murder, expulsion, and images that cause our hearts to break... By Allah, [we will trade] blood for blood and destruction for destruction."

"Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" Responds to "Martyrdom" of Commander Abu al-Laith al-Liby

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Friday, 08 February 2008 19:00

The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated a February 3, 2008 communiqué issued by "the Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" (formerly known as the Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat, GSPC) responding to the reported martyrdom of senior Al-Qaida military commander Abu al-Laith al-Liby during a U.S. air strike in northern Pakistan. According to the statement, "Abu al-Laith left Libya, escaping with his religion and emigrating to Allah, and his star shone bright in the skies of Afghanistan. He truly became one of the lions of Islam and a hero—so much so that the mere mention of his name causes the Americans to tremble... Indeed, he was cut from the same cloth as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, may Allah have mercy on him. Thus, it is not a surprise for us to learn that there was a great friendship and admiration between these two men—they loved each other for their shared missionary work in the cause of Allah, and their jihad in the cause of Allah... There is no doubt that the death of Abu al-Laith al-Liby has saddened the Muslim faithful and has inspired delight in the hearts of their enemies. But... do they not realize that his blood, or the blood of any of our martyrs, is merely added fuel for the convoy of Islam?"