Al-Qaeda's Droukdel makes new bid to defend killing of civilians

24/09/2008

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb leader Abdelmalek Droukdel issued a new audio message in which he attempts to explain the massive losses of civilian life caused by his group's attacks.

By Said Jameh for Magharebia in Algiers – 24/09/08

[Said Jameh] Despite Droukdel's assurances, recent figures show that 98% of the victims of al-Qaeda suicide bombings have been civilians.

In an audiotape released Sunday (September 21st) on jihadist websites, al-Qaeda’s Maghreb leader Abdelmalek Droudkel attempted to defend the group's recent deadly attacks in Algeria, claiming his men "were doing their best to spare the civilians". He said recent terrorist operations carried out by elements of his group were "carefully selected" to target security forces

Droukdel's claims run counter to official statistics. Since the Algiers bombings of April 11th, 2007, the majority of victims from the group's suicide attacks have been civilians.

Between the August 19th suicide bombing of a gendarmerie training school, the August 20th attack on a bus carrying workers for a Canadian company and another the same day on an army barracks, 61 people were killed.

Official statistics appearing in Echorouk last month show that 98% of the victims of al-Qaeda suicide bombings have been civilians.

This week's audiotape was the first media appearance for Droukdel since giving an interview to The New York Times in July.

Analysts say the message contains no new information, and that it is merely an attempt to defend the group's actions in light of the number of innocent deaths.

Security expert Hamid Yacine said the tapes show Droukdel is seeking to remain visible in the media and is "looking for a legitimate cover… after he ascertained that the victims of the suicide operations were civilians".

Droukdel also issued a warning in the tape, advising Algerians to keep away from official buildings and gatherings of Westerners, particularly Americans and the French. "These (gatherings) are legitimate targets for the group," he said.

He called for holy war against "apostate regimes" in the Maghreb and the West, levelling his strongest invectives against Algeria and Mauritania

These accusations are not new, Hamid Yacine told Magharebia. "They just reflect old positions and speeches which al-Qaeda used to make in an attempt to raise public opinion in the area."

Droukdel's threats come in the wake of broad security measures taken by Algerian security forces before the start of Ramadan. The programme includes tightened surveillance measures on official headquarters, diplomatic missions and other sensitive locations. For the first time, the government also sealed off districts that host embassies and other institutions, such as the Presidential Palace, following the news of a foiled plot by a terrorist cell preparing to target the official residence.

The threats should nevertheless be taken seriously, said Yacine, as Droukdel's agents are waiting for any lapse in vigilance on the part of security agencies to strike anew.

The posting of the audiotape also coincided with criticisms of the group made by Abdelkader Boukhemkhem, former leader of the banned Islamic Salvation Front (FIS).

In an interview with El Khabar, Boukhemkhem said the acts committed by Droukdel and his followers have "nothing at all to do with Islam".