Posted on 06/21/2004 5:54:13 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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| Algerian Death a Blow to Al Qaeda Sahara Ambitions Mon Jun 21, 2004 01:36 PM ET By Paul de Bendern ALGIERS (Reuters) - The death of Algeria's top militant has robbed al Qaeda of a potentially key ally in north Africa and may pave the way for an end to the region's longest-running Islamic "holy war," analysts said on Monday. Nabil Sahraoui, leader of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), was killed in a gun battle with the armed forces along with his three top aides in eastern Algeria. His death is significant because he radicalized Algeria's principal Islamic rebel group by aligning it to al Qaeda, kidnapped 32 European tourists in the Sahara last year, and declared war on foreign individuals and companies in Algeria. "I think it is significant blow. It gives encouragement to those fighting terrorism and gives a signal to terrorists here that they're fighting a losing battle," U.S. ambassador to Algeria Richard Erdman told Reuters. Analysts say in addition to Sahraoui, the head of the committee that picked GSPC commanders and the group's explosives expert were among seven militants killed on Thursday and Friday east of Algiers in an army sweep involving thousands of troops. "Al Qaeda has inevitably lost Algeria," said newspaper L'Expression, adding that one of Osama bin Laden's post-September 11, 2001, strategies was to extend his network in north Africa. The United States, which lists GSPC as a terrorist organization, fears al Qaeda cells could be seeking new havens in the Sahara desert. The region is seen as a potentially fertile recruiting ground because of weak national governance and lax border policing. Concern grew after the GSPC's second-in-command, Amari Saifi, alias Abderrazak el Para, secured five million euros for the European hostages and used the money to buy arms. But Saifi is believed to be the only senior GSPC member still alive and he is being held by Chadian rebels who are negotiating his transfer to Algerian authorities. A WINNING WAR "It's the beginning of the elimination of a terrorist group which more or less remained the only organized Algerian Islamic force since 1992," said Mahmoud Belhimer, a professor at the University of Algiers and a newspaper editor. The holy war or "jihad" was sparked by the army's cancellation of legislative elections a hardline Islamic party was set to win in 1992. Secular authorities feared a win could turn the oil-rich country into an Islamic state. More than 150,000 people have since died, mostly civilians at the hands of rebels, according to human rights groups. The surrender of thousands of rebels following a 1999 amnesty offer and an aggressive military campaign has all but paralyzed the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), which only a few years ago was the country's top rebel group. The GSPC was created in 1998 by disillusioned GIA members, some of whom were trained at bin Laden camps in Afghanistan. It is believed to have some 500 armed members, but security experts and rebel sources say many are keen to surrender, a move Sahraoui opposed. "An important part of the struggle against terrorism is addressing the economic and social problems -- roots that give rise to this phenomenon," Erdman said. |
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I guess Nabal knows by now his 72 virgins are really a myth, and he has lots to think about in hell.
I keep hearing that Queen tune....."Another One Bites the Dust"........good hunting friends!
Al-Qaida bases said to be in Sahara
United Press International ^ | 10-27-03
Posted on 10/28/2003 5:16:56 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
MADRID, Oct 27, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Al-Qaida is building secret bases in the Sahara in north Africa with the help of Algerian extremists, Western and Arab intelligence sources said Monday.
The Spanish daily Periodico De Catalonia quoted the sources as saying the Sahara, stretching between Mauritania and southern Libya, has become a base for al-Qaida.
"The desert of Mali, especially in the north, and the area near the Algerian border has become a base and meeting point for al-Qaida members who have fled from the Middle East region," an Algerian source said.
"We know that many things were taking place in the Sahara which is under the loose control of the Algerian and Libyan armies and the armed forces of weak countries like Niger, Mauritania and Mali," a U.S. diplomat said.
Intelligence services of countries in the region have spotted an influx of Arab militants from Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan and believe Algerian extremist groups were facilitating their relocation in the Sahara.
These people have been untouchable throughout the Middle East as a consequence of intimidation and the availability of extranational support and sanctuary. Most of the people they've killed had nothing to do with the United States or Zionism or any of the other excuses, they were merely in the way of violent men seizing power. Now it's payback time for other people who weren't our allies but are tired of this stuff. It's going to be a long, hot summer for the bad guys.
They had big plans for the Sahara apparently, see post just above.
Right on, this would seem to be a major achievement.
bump
yeah right...
Correction: On another thread, I thought the four terrorists killed in S. Arabia included the top coward's three deputies, but we see here I was mistaken. Still dead deputy cowards, but on the other side of the Red Sea.
BTTT
These days the Algerians and other North African Mohammedans colonize the pussys in France.
I know a missionary recently back from Mali.
Lotta guys with short hair and Ray-Bans flying small planes up in Northern Mali, too.
Some battles in this war we will never hear about.
Very interesting!
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