CAIRO ø A leading Al Qaida-aligned group has warned of a renewed
campaign on foreigners based in Algeria.
The Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call warned that all foreign
interests in Algeria would be under attack. The warning was posted on an
Islamist website and came from the group's new leader, Nabil Sahrawi
"The Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call has decided to declare war on
everything that is foreign and atheistic within Algeria's borders, whether
against individuals, interests or installations," Sahrawi said in a
statement published on the Salafist website on June 13.
Over the last year, Western nations have been returning to Algeria.
Western embassies have been reopened or expanded while European and U.S.
energy majors have competed for new oil and natural gas exploration and
development projects in the North African state.
The Salafist warning came as the insurgency group intensified violence
throughout Algeria. Amid reports that Islamic insurgents were surrendering
to authorities, Salafist forces claimed responsibility for a series of
attacks on Algerian military targets, in which more than a dozen soldiers
were killed.
The Salafist Brigade has been regarded as the leading contractor of Al
Qaida. Sahrawi took over the Salafist organization in late 2003 in what
Islamic analysts said marked a decision to embark on a more aggressive
policy.
In February 2003, the Salafist Brigade abducted 32 Western European
tourists during a tour of the southern Sahara Desert. All but one of the
tourists, who died, was released in exchange of a ransom of nearly $10
million.