On February 22, 2005 Algeria's Salafist Group for Call and Combat (al-Jam'a al-Salafia lil-Dawa was Qital) claimed responsibility for an ambush operation waged against Algerian troops in the state of Batna on February 18th. The Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC) has in recent years taken over the role once held by the Algerian Armed Islamic Group (GIA) as the preeminent Jihadist group in Algeria. Designated by the United States Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control in March of 2002, the group currently boasts upwards of 4,000 fighters. While they do not always claim responsibility for their operations, the GSPC is considered responsible for most of the over 900 individuals killed within Algeria from Jihadist violence.After detailing their most recent operation, the group closes its message with a promise to all those opposed to its cause: "You, the enemies of God, the defectors (from Islam), there will be no truce, no dialogue, no conciliation, no security agreement and no covenant of protection with you, but rather the destruction, the ruin, the assassination and the devastation. Assassination, Assassination be upon you. You, the enemies of God!"