Algerian forces kill al-Qaeda communications chief
2009-10-19
An al-Qaeda terrorist sought since 1995 died October 7th while attempting to flee Algerian security forces in El Bayadh, El Khabar and other local media outlets reported on Sunday (October 18th). Trained engineer Mourad Louzaï, 43, aka Nouh Abou Qotada El Salafi, joined the former GSPC in 1994. In 2009, after being named head of Algeria internal communications for al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, he became responsible for co-ordinating contact between local fighters and zone commanders, sources said. Louzaï also reportedly organised and participated in the June 17th ambush slaying of 20 gendarmes and a civilian in Bordj Bou Arréridj.
The news of Louzaï's death is a blow to al-Qaeda leader Abdelmalek Droukdel "and those who remain loyal to him", Presse-DZ editorialised on Monday.
In other news, Algerian security forces on Saturday October (17th) successfully concluded a large-scale offensive against terrorist groups operating in Kabylie, Tout sur l'Algerie reported. Ground forces in Iloula Oumalou and Imsouha, backed by aerial bombardment, targeted an arms and munitions trafficking operation that supplied arms and munitions to terrorist groups in Tizi Ouzou and Boumerdès.
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