US embassy cable - 05ALGIERS1163

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ALGIERS 001163 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2015 
TAGS: PTER, PREL, MOPS, ASEC, MR, AG, Terrorism 
SUBJECT: GSPC COMMUNIQUE EXTOLS ATTACK IN MAURITANIA, LINKS 
IT TO FLINTLOCK EXERCISE 
 
REF: NOUAKCHOTT 503 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard W. Erdman, Reason 1.4 (D) 
 
 1.  (C) The Algerian terrorist organization GSPC (Salafist 
Group for Preaching and Combat) issued a communique dated 
June 5 in which the GSPC claimed responsibility for the June 
4 attack on a Mauritanian military outpost near the Malian 
border (reftel) in which at least 15 Mauritanian soldiers and 
5 GSPC terrorists died.  The communique, posted on the GSPC 
website (www.jihad-algerie.com) and signed by the group's 
"Media Committee," extols the attack as a victory for 
Muslims, a blow against Mauritanian President Ould Taya, whom 
it terms "the Karzai of Mauritania and the agent of the 
Jews," as well as a response to the Flintlock exercise 
currently underway in the Trans-Sahara region.  The 
communique appeals to "Muslim youth in North Africa" to join 
the jihad.  The text, which contains the GSPC's usual Koranic 
quotes and references to Islamic history, refers to the U.S. 
as "the enemy of God."  While it does not include any 
reference to the GSPC's alliance with Al-Qaida, the 
Mauritania attack and the communique underscore the threat 
the GSPC continues to pose, not just in Algeria but 
increasingly throughout the Trans-Sahara region. 
 
2.  (U) The following is our informal and lightly edited 
translation of the communique's text: 
 
Begin text: 
 
In the name of God the Merciful and Compassionate 
 
Praise be to God and His Prayers upon Muhammad and his People 
and Companions 
 
The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat 
 
The Battle of Badr Mauritania (Note: This sentence is bolded 
and refers to one of the Prophet Muhammad's biggest 
victories.  End note.) 
 
Rejoice oh Community of Islam, for behold the descendents of 
Tariq and the sons of Uqaba bin Nafi' (note:  references to 
two early Muslim military leaders) have donned the clothing 
of war, have drawn their swords, and determined that they 
will not live in comfort and ease until all of the lands of 
the Muslims are liberated from the non-believers and their 
agents including the apostate rulers in the wounded land of 
Islam. 
 
At dawn on Saturday 27 Rabi' al-Thani 1426, i.e. June 4, 
2005, the forces of the GSPC carried out an attack that is 
the first of its kind but not the last.  This time they chose 
as their target a garrison of the Mauritanian apostate army 
near Al-Zuwairat.  The brave Mujahideen surrounded the 
encampment and after a battle that lasted many hours, the 
toll, according to some sources was about 50 soldiers killed 
and wounded.  Our brothers were able to take as spoils large 
quantities of weapons, ammunition and 07 automatics (as 
printed), and they burned their equipment and returned, 
thanks be to God, to their bases safely and bearing spoils. 
 
This is the first blow that we strike against the Karzai of 
Mauritania and the agent of the Jews (Mauritanian President) 
Ould Taya in revenge for our brothers who were taken prisoner 
in the recent campaign of arrests in Mauritania.  May the 
tyrants know that their crimes against the Community of Islam 
will not pass without punishment, indeed they will pay with 
their blood and their treasure for every Muslim whom they 
took captive or whose blood they spilled or whose honor they 
violated. 
 
This is also a blow against the "Flintlock" plan which was 
arranged by the enemy of God, America, with its agents in the 
region to combat the GSPC with the aim of extinguishing the 
embers of Jihad which is spoiling their life. 
 
Oh grandsons of Tariq (note: a reference to Tariq ibn Ziyad, 
the Muslim conqueror of Spain) and Muslim youth of North 
Africa, onward to the land of Jihad and preparation in 
Algeria...come forward to learn the arts of warfare and be 
liberated from the authority of the tyrants and prepare 
yourselves to light the fire under the feet of the 
non-believers and the apostates. 
Quranic verse:  "Avoid light and heavy things and struggle in 
God's path with your wealth and your souls and perhaps you 
will succeed." 
 
Published Sunday, 28 Rabi' al-Thani 1426 Hijri, equivalent to 
05 May (note: a typographical error) 2005 Miladi. 
 
The Media Committee of the Salafist Group for Preaching and 
Combat 
 
End text. 
 
3.  (U) Minimize considered. 
 
 
 
ERDMAN