GSPC Renounces Former Leader Hassan Hattab
Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Wednesday, 02 March 2005 19:00
The Algerian Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat (GSPC)--a regional Al-Qaida affiliate group active in North Africa--has disavowed their former top commander Hassan Hattab (a.k.a. Abu Hamza) after he surrendered to the Algerian government in exchange for limited amnesty. According to a recent statement released by the group, Hattab has been estranged from the GSPC since at least 2003 and his recent actions are considered "a betrayal of Allah, his messenger, the path of jihad, and the blood of the martyrs... we will continue our jihad. It will be either victory or martyrdom.”
