The government of Algeria has announced the capture of the leader of the Islamic Armed Group (GIA), which happened two months ago, and the subsequent dismantling of several "terrorist" cells of the GIA. The Islamist group has spread terror in Algeria for more than ten years. Nourredine Boudiafi, known as the national emir of the GIA, had been arrested in the outskirts of Algiers in a police action in the beginning of November, according to a press statement released by the Ministry of the Interior today. No details were given to where Mr Boudiafi has been held detained since that.
The arrest of the GIA leader has been kept secret for almost two months. | Held him and milked him until there was nothing left but a bit of cottage cheese... |
Meanwhile, the Algerian army has carried out an operation aiming at dismantling remaining cells of the "terrorist group".
| "Mahmoud! Y'gotta hide me! The cops are... Oh. Hello, officer!" |
According to the Interior Ministry, "almost all the GIA network" is now "broken up," following the successful army operation that had gone over "several months."
| GIA hasn't been real active for a few months. When last heard from, they were down to about 30 guys and a dog... |
Also the death of Rachid Abou Tourab, the former GIA leader, was confirmed by the Ministry. Mr Abou Tourab, according to the statement, had been killed by his own close aides in July 2004. No further details were given on the Islamist leader's death.
| Damn! I wanted the details! But I guess this way I can fantasize. My favorite would be slow strangulation, or maybe the Fish Hooks of Pain... |
| I'm partial to the Pig Trotters of Tension Headaches myself... |
The government statement was read on national radio and television. Officials from the Algerian police and the Interior Ministry however have not wanted to comment on the statement or to give further details. Algerian police and military forces are still targeted by several armed Islamist groups such as the GIA and authorities are known to give out very closely filtered information regarding its efforts to fight these groups. Even before the alleged killing of Mr Abou Tourab and arrest of Mr Boudiafi, the GIA had lost its operational strength in Algeria. The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) - a group breaking away from the GIA some years ago - has meanwhile become the most active terrorist group in Algeria and the region. The GSPC is said to maintain contact with al Qaeda.
| That's not to say that the GIA is gone forever. No doubt there are a few guys hiding out who consider themselves the new core of future greatness. We'll probably hear from the likes of the Real GIA and the Provisional GIA for the next few years. |
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