Al-Qaida Affiliate Claims Algeria Attack

United Press International ^ | 12/12/206 | UPI

[Dallas59]

Al-Qaida affiliate claims Algeria attack

ALGIERS, Algeria, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- The recent attack on foreigners in Algeria signaled renewed activities of Muslim extremist groups believed to be linked to al-Qaida network.

The notorious Salafi Group for Daawa (call) and Fighting, one of Algeria's armed groups resisting a peace pact for national reconciliation, Tuesday claimed responsibility for an attack two days ago on a bus carrying foreign employees of an American company in which two were killed and eight injured.

The group said in a statement signed by its "information committee" and carried on its internet Web site that a "clique" carried out the attack and its members returned safely to their bases.

The attack, the first on foreigners in Algeria since the 1990s, occurred three months after al-Qaida's second-in-command, Ayman Zawahiri, announced that the Salafi Group has joined the network, warning that the armed group will be "a thorn in the throats of the Crusaders and France's agents in Algeria."

In June 2004, the Salafi movement had threatened to attack foreigners and Western interests in Algeria.

The bus attack over the weekend claimed the lives of the Algerian bus driver and an American of Lebanese descent, and injured eight, including a Lebanese, an American, four Britons, a Canadian and an Algerian.

The Salafi Group for Daawa and Fighting, Algeria's biggest armed organization, is believed to comprise 500 to 700 militants. It was set up in 1998 by Hassan Khattab who was succeeded after his killing by Abdel Malek Drew Kadal, code-named Abu Musab al-Wadoud.

The U.S. embassy in Algiers has warmed U.S. citizens residing in the North African Arab country to take extra precautions after the attack.

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1747324/posts?page=574#574
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1747324/posts?page=573#573


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http://www.internet-haganah.com
http://www.internet-haganah.com/haganah/internet.html
http://internet-haganah.org/hmedia/26sep06-salafy_forums.html
http://www.internet-haganah.com/harchives/005793.html

[Roy Tucker]

Following the Iraq Study Group prescriptions if we would just talk to these guys, they would stop. And if Israel would give up the Golan Heights, all would be well in Algeria.

I am glad the ISG is reaping the scorn it deserves.

[rjp2005]

This is part of the growing Mahgreb Arab Union (of militants) that stratfor was reporting about 2 weeks ago.