ALGIERS, 14 June 2004 — Algeria’s leading militant group, which has ties to Al-Qaeda, has declared war on foreign people and companies in the north African country, an Islamic website said yesterday.
The “foreigners war statement” appeared shortly after the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) claimed responsibility for killing more than a dozen soldiers in an apparent escalation of violence in the strife-torn country.
“The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat decides ... to declare war on everything that is foreign and atheistic within Algeria’s borders, whether against individuals, interests or installations,” GSPC leader Nabil Sahraoui said in a statement.
The authenticity of the statement, which was dated June 6 and published on June 13 on a website allegedly belonging to the group, could not be verified immediately.
Analysts said it was too early to say whether the threat was serious but noted that it coincided with an increase in deadly attacks on Westerners in other Middle East countries.
Attacks on foreigners are rare in Algeria, although the GSPC, which is on the US list of “terrorist” groups, said it was behind the kidnapping of 32 European tourists last year.
Violence has fallen sharply over the past two years as militants surrender and armed forces attack rebel hideouts. More than 150,000 people, mostly civilians, have died since a militant uprising began in 1992, human rights groups say.
The uprising was sparked by the army’s cancellation of legislative elections an Islamist party was set to win. The army feared an Iranian-style revolution would take hold in the country.
More than 300 people have died in violence this year, about 40 of them in June, according to newspaper reports.
