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Algerians note al-Qaeda ignorance of their nations history | |||
2009-06-27 | |||
[Maghrebia] An al-Qaeda video released earlier this week urging Maghreb citizens to support the terrorist organisation provoked a negative reaction in Algeria. To analysts, the video reflects a desperate effort by al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb leader Abdelmalek Droukdel to link his struggling group to al-Qaeda's international organisation.
The message provoked a wave of criticism in Algeria, particularly because it perpetuates confusion between al-Qaeda's "Mujahideen" and the Algerian Mujahideen who fought for Algerian independence.
Daily paper Le Soir d'Algérie, meanwhile, wrote that al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb tried to draw parallels between the "chouhadas" -- the martyrs in the revolution for independence - and the terrorists from the Salafist group. The paper emphasised al-Libi's poor knowledge of Algerian history, as he had stated that "Algeria had a million martyrs", when in reality the figure was more like one and a half million.
Al-Qaeda's media appearance is mostly aimed at legitimising Droukdel's command, at a time his organisation is experiencing some serious disagreements, added Le Soir d'Algérie. This kind of "blessing" from al-Qaeda's Osama Bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri is a lifeline for Droukdel's organisation, and a way of masking the innumerable losses it has suffered in recent times. Meanwhile, Algerian authorities vowed to continue the fight against terrorism. Speaking during the graduation ceremony of three classes of National Gendarmerie officers on Wednesday (June 24th), General Ahmed Boustila during the graduation ceremony of three classes of National Gendarmerie officers that "the fight against the terrorists will continue." Referring to last week's attack in which AQIM killed 18 gendarmes in Bordj Bou Arreridj, General Boustila said, "This massacre will not discourage the gendarmes or alter their determination to fight terrorism as a top priority, until it is completely eradicated." "The Salafist group is experiencing a difficult situation internally, but is still capable of doing harm. That's why we have to remain vigilant and step up our information-gathering activities." | |||
Posted by:Fred |