The Algerian armed forces said on Sunday they had killed the leader of a major Islamic rebel group with ties to al Qaeda. "Units of the People’s National Army, engaged in a vast anti-terrorist operation... have killed a number of criminals, including Nabil Sahraoui, alias Mustapha Abou Ibrahim, chief of the terrorist group known as the GSPC, as well as his (three) main aides," the army said in a statement obtained by Reuters. It said the militants died in the province of Bejaia, some 120 miles east of the capital Algiers. It did not say when they were killed, but said the military operation was still going on.
| I'd guess it was recently... |
The death of Sahraoui, who took over the leadership a year ago, was expected to significantly weaken the GSPC (Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat) the only remaining major rebel organization still fighting Algeria’s secular authorities.
| I guess GAI is now officially toes-up? |
The group, believed to number around 500 armed members, claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of 32 European tourists in the Sahara desert last year. "The leadership of the GSPC has been decapitated and it will be difficult to rebuild a strong leadership as most of the top officials are dead, under arrest or have disappeared," said Mounir Boudjema, an Algerian security expert and editor.
| "Decapitated" is a good term. It makes me feel... even. |
"It is now a much-weakened group but it’s not the end of terrorism as links to al Qaeda remain and some will keep fighting."
| Yeah. There's another ameer out there someplace, just waiting for his place in the sun... |
Analysts said Sahraoui’s death would clear the way for those who wanted to surrender in exchange for some form of amnesty, which he had opposed. |