Algiers attacks seen as show of allegiance for al-Qaeda
2007-12-12
Experts say Tuesday's twin attacks show that remnants of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in Algeria are going out of their way to impress leader Osama bin Laden. Algerian officials have vowed to fight terrorists "most severely".
By Nazim Fethi and Boualam Senhadji for Magharebia in Algiers – 12/12/07
 [Getty Images] Prime Minister Belkhadem said Algeria will continue "implementing the charter for peace and national reconciliation." He added that those who reject this process "must be fought most severely." |
Officials and analysts in Algeria have come out in agreement that Tuesday’s twin attacks in Algiers represent a show of allegiance by embattled terrorists to the al-Qaeda network and its fugitive leader Osama bin Laden.
Al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb has claimed responsibility for the December 11th attacks, which left 30 dead and 28 injured, according to the latest official tally. An internet statement by the group showed photos of two suicide bombers who allegedly targeted the UN and Constitutional Council. The statement said the attacks were in response to claims the group had been weakened and to avenge the killing of the group's leaders by Algerian security forces. The "invasion", as the group described the attack, serves as a "reminder to crusaders… to listen well to the demands and speeches of Osama bin Laden".
The terrorists took advantage of relaxed security measures following the November 29th local elections, Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni said on Tuesday. The choice of the Constitutional Council, UNDP and UNHCR offices as targets for the two attacks, Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem said on Tuesday, demonstrates the impotence and desperation of the group, which "is trying to show that it has the ability to attack symbols of the state."
Security forces have recently been successful in arresting or killing several influential elements of the terrorist organisation. The surrender of major leaders such as Hassan Hattab, the founder of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), which later changed its name to al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb, have also had an impact on the groups' capabilities. Many GSPC leaders were reportedly unhappy with the strategy of targeting civilians, particularly after the April 11th attack on the government palace in Algiers. The exploitation of minors in suicide attacks also earned the scorn of the Algerian public, further weakening the group's standing.
"Anyone can go into a café with a Kalashnikov, open fire and cause carnage. Anyone can leave a vehicle laden with explosives anywhere," a counterterrorism officer speaking on condition of anonymity told Magharebia. "Our role is to track down the people pulling the strings, especially those who run the laboratories where explosives are manufactured, those who supply the items being used to make them and above all those who give orders for attacks to be carried out."
Since it announced its allegiance to the al-Qaeda network in December 2006, Droukdel's group has been doing "everything it can to please bin Laden by trying to copy the Iraqi and Afghan models here," said the counterterrorism officer. "Suicide attacks had never been carried out in Algeria before that date."
Aziz Azizi, columnist for the daily newspaper Horizons, said the two attacks are a "fresh warning of the consequences of lowering our guard, despite the recent successes of the security forces." He stressed that terrorism is "a real and ubiquitous threat."
Kamal Amghar of the daily La Tribune said, "The procedures and methods used, because of their extreme cowardice, bear all the hallmarks of the hatred-filled desperados of the GSPC who have suffered a number of setbacks over the last few months."
Prime Minister Belkhadem assured the public that Algeria "will continue to implement the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation," adding that those who have rejected this process "must be fought most severely."
Belkhadem stressed that terrorism has no borders, no nationality and no religion, and said heads of state and the public now realise it is an international phenomenon that requires co-operation in order to thwart it.
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NADIA Posted 2007-12-13
Salam alaikoum, the attacks which led to killing innocent Algerian people are coward acts that know no conscience or religion. This act is considered the work of a blood thirsty wild animal destroying the human beings created by God. Whoever kills an innocent soul, it is as though he killed all people. Is this Islam, they pretend to be Muslims and they’re but traitors and criminals. Everything they do is to arrive to power and own everything on earth. Isn’t this life ephemeral to fight for, have they thought one time that they will be accountable for the savage acts they committed on the Day of Judgment. The after world is better for them than this life which is of no value, it’s just a passport to heaven. All the trials are a test to us by God to see who will be patient and who will rebel against life. Finally I say, may God guide all our young people and the youth in the world to the right path. Oh Lord forgive Muslim men and women, you’re Forgiving and Merciful.
samy Posted 2007-12-13
I would like to thank these two journalists at Magharebia for their professionalism. The account given by Magharebia is true to what is happening in Algeria. I sincerely thank these two journalists, particularly Senhadji for his first article on the two attacks.
حسان Posted 2007-12-13
No to the government and to living in Algeria!
cizarr _307 Posted 2007-12-14
I’m a young man of 23 and an orphan, I lost my father; but I love the country. By God Almighty, terrorists have no right whatsoever in this country. They love Jihad, tell them go to Palestine to do Jihad. Oh Lord have mercy on our innocent martyrs and accept our prayers, if terrorists are killing the people, kill them. Salam alaikoum.
معاد Posted 2007-12-18
The State is responsible for the violence existing in Algeria because of its social injustice, every person in the world hates violence. Taking care of young people and their problems is the solution to violence in Algeria. Because there is no terrorism in this nation except our terrorist government.
Anonymous Posted 2007-12-20
What is the intention of Sheikh Osama Ben Laden in al-Qaeda's attack on the Algerian capital?
جزائري حتى النخاع Posted 2007-12-21
I would like to comment on the photo that accompanied this article. I would like to say: how can Belkhadem speak about reconciliation and he is with a minority that usurped a party as big as the National Liberation Front (FLN) using the power provided to them by the Algerian people Bouteflika and he now leads FLN although everyone knows that he is the weakest politician ever to lead our government, and also the weakest politician ever to lead the FLN. Sorry, Belkhadem, but you lack in the strength you know the cavalier from his posture, leave for its people.
mahdi Posted 2007-12-25
The attacks on the Algerian capital reflect the anger of the Algerian people at the policy followed by the State and the hardships of life with the rises in the prices of consumer goods in general and the continuous spread of unemployment, the inattention of the Algerian State to the hard conditions of living of the people in addition to the high bureaucracy which took the minds of officials, lack of administrative control except on public firms or companies. I personally think that these attacks aren’t associated with Al Qaeda organization in Algeria. I think that the idea of Al Qaeda organization is just a propaganda produced by America and European countries in order to make it a reason to enter Algeria and establish an American military base in Algeria, God knows of course. We no longer know anything about these policies which don’t serve the people, they just serve some officials who have power and who think that this nation was created for them and for their own interests.
واضح Posted 2008-01-04
We don’t know al-Qaeda or from where it came, no matter how the names change the aims are one, preserving the instability in a strategic part of the world until time comes for its picking. Please does anyone know what al-Qaeda is? Do they think that we’re stupid??? If Al Qaeda were Ben Laden, let him get out to light firstly then let him tell us on what right does he put in peril the security of the Algerian citizen who is enduring all hardships and the only thing that remains is destroying his house because he lives near a police station…Then he should go and look at the features of the faces of the members of the police to see whether they are disbelievers and mercenaries to target them…So if al-Qaeda belongs to the Maghreb why does it leave Morocco make clear relations with Israel and comes to the worst enemies of Israel, Algeria, and tell us you’re disbelievers and your punishment is to tear up your bodies…we’re not stupid…We witness what you are doing and will never forgive it….
100%Algerien Posted 2008-01-11
Salam alaikoum. The world should know that Algeria is well, terrorism doesn't frighten us, the terrorism of unemployment and high cost of living doesn't frighten us either.
Abdel halim Posted 2008-01-16
Long live Algeria and the Algerians.
محمد الهادي Posted 2008-02-07
Salam alaikoum. The causes of problem in Algeria called terrorism are Ali Ben Haj and Abbassi Madani, two men who know nothing about religion. They’re criminals in the true meaning of the word. My evidence to this is the presence of the son of Ali Ben Haj among the bloody terrorists as well as the declarations they make about the Algerian State which they accuse of apostasy and everyone who accuses a Muslim of apostasy…
محمد الهادي Posted 2008-02-07
The cause of terrorism in Algeria is the presence of illiterates in the dismantled party such as Ali Ben Haj who issue fatwas on things they ignore. Remember what God say whoever kills a soul wrongly…Ben Haj and your group, you should have some consideration Ben Haj and remember that you will meet your Lord. How can you, Ben Haj, celebrate the wedding of your daughter and invite 2,000 people to attend? Or is the bag of the mountain enough?
فوزي Posted 2008-02-11
Algeria is the country of Islam and Muslims, the ignorant Khawarij accuse the nation of apostasy in order to allow their ways which are forbidden by God. Oh Lord turn the plots of Algeria's enemies against them.
ربيع سعداوي Posted 2008-03-03
The hidden intentions are clear… Terrorists of the authorities… followers of Bush are numerous, they are present in forums and media forums… in Magharebia, why not? Evidence/ 1 ---pace November 11th, then December 11th, the password is the same and September 11th in America…2 They pretended Al Qaeda is present in the region of Kabyle, the place of birth of Said Saadi and Ouyahya. I don’t say FFS, in addition to the exit of the American embassy. Ouyahya assaulted them in the attacks of November 11th by saying shame on you American embassy… you were supposed to co-ordinate with the Algerian authority… shows a fabrication and attempt to delude and deceive the reader. Ouyahya is simply trying to remove any suspicion against him because he is the spiritual leader of this Al Qaeda…
bia Posted 2008-03-24
If Belkhadem is who he is, then it is because there are a lot of young people who still think that Bouteflika needs to like Mubarak. This is wrong and completely so. We are the only ones who are dying every day. One last comment: the FLN should have died with our liberation. What are they still doing here?
issam Posted 2008-11-18
I have no trust for the authorities in my country, Algeria. Long live my country! God bless the martyrs!
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