GSPC COMMUNIQUE EXTOLS ATTACK IN MAURITANIA, LINKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ALGIERS 001163

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2015
TAGS: PTER PREL MOPS ASEC MR AG
SUBJECT: GSPC COMMUNIQUE EXTOLS ATTACK IN MAURITANIA, LINKS
IT TO FLINTLOCK EXERCISE

REF: NOUAKCHOTT 503

Classified By: Ambassador Richard W. Erdman, Reason 1.4 (D)


1. (C) The Algerian terrorist organization GSPC (Salafist
Group for Preaching and Combat) issued a communique dated
June 5 in which the GSPC claimed responsibility for the June
4 attack on a Mauritanian military outpost near the Malian
border (reftel) in which at least 15 Mauritanian soldiers and
5 GSPC terrorists died. The communique, posted on the GSPC
website (www.jihad-algerie.com) and signed by the group's
"Media Committee," extols the attack as a victory for
Muslims, a blow against Mauritanian President Ould Taya, whom
it terms "the Karzai of Mauritania and the agent of the
Jews," as well as a response to the Flintlock exercise
currently underway in the Trans-Sahara region. The
communique appeals to "Muslim youth in North Africa" to join
the jihad. The text, which contains the GSPC's usual Koranic
quotes and references to Islamic history, refers to the U.S.
as "the enemy of God." While it does not include any
reference to the GSPC's alliance with Al-Qaida, the
Mauritania attack and the communique underscore the threat
the GSPC continues to pose, not just in Algeria but
increasingly throughout the Trans-Sahara region.


2. (U) The following is our informal and lightly edited
translation of the communique's text:

Begin text:

In the name of God the Merciful and Compassionate

Praise be to God and His Prayers upon Muhammad and his People
and Companions

The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat

The Battle of Badr Mauritania (Note: This sentence is bolded
and refers to one of the Prophet Muhammad's biggest
victories. End note.)

Rejoice oh Community of Islam, for behold the descendents of
Tariq and the sons of Uqaba bin Nafi' (note: references to
two early Muslim military leaders) have donned the clothing
of war, have drawn their swords, and determined that they
will not live in comfort and ease until all of the lands of
the Muslims are liberated from the non-believers and their
agents including the apostate rulers in the wounded land of
Islam.

At dawn on Saturday 27 Rabi' al-Thani 1426, i.e. June 4,
2005, the forces of the GSPC carried out an attack that is
the first of its kind but not the last. This time they chose
as their target a garrison of the Mauritanian apostate army
near Al-Zuwairat. The brave Mujahideen surrounded the
encampment and after a battle that lasted many hours, the
toll, according to some sources was about 50 soldiers killed
and wounded. Our brothers were able to take as spoils large
quantities of weapons, ammunition and 07 automatics (as
printed),and they burned their equipment and returned,
thanks be to God, to their bases safely and bearing spoils.

This is the first blow that we strike against the Karzai of
Mauritania and the agent of the Jews (Mauritanian President)
Ould Taya in revenge for our brothers who were taken prisoner
in the recent campaign of arrests in Mauritania. May the
tyrants know that their crimes against the Community of Islam
will not pass without punishment, indeed they will pay with
their blood and their treasure for every Muslim whom they
took captive or whose blood they spilled or whose honor they
violated.

This is also a blow against the "Flintlock" plan which was
arranged by the enemy of God, America, with its agents in the
region to combat the GSPC with the aim of extinguishing the
embers of Jihad which is spoiling their life.

Oh grandsons of Tariq (note: a reference to Tariq ibn Ziyad,
the Muslim conqueror of Spain) and Muslim youth of North
Africa, onward to the land of Jihad and preparation in
Algeria...come forward to learn the arts of warfare and be
liberated from the authority of the tyrants and prepare
yourselves to light the fire under the feet of the
non-believers and the apostates.
Quranic verse: "Avoid light and heavy things and struggle in
God's path with your wealth and your souls and perhaps you
will succeed."

Published Sunday, 28 Rabi' al-Thani 1426 Hijri, equivalent to
05 May (note: a typographical error) 2005 Miladi.

The Media Committee of the Salafist Group for Preaching and
Combat

End text.


3. (U) Minimize considered.



ERDMAN