"Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" Responds to "Martyrdom" of Commander Abu al-Laith al-Liby

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Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Friday, 08 February 2008 19:00

The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated a February 3, 2008 communiqué issued by "the Al-Qaida Network in the Islamic Maghreb" (formerly known as the Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat, GSPC) responding to the reported martyrdom of senior Al-Qaida military commander Abu al-Laith al-Liby during a U.S. air strike in northern Pakistan. According to the statement, "Abu al-Laith left Libya, escaping with his religion and emigrating to Allah, and his star shone bright in the skies of Afghanistan. He truly became one of the lions of Islam and a hero—so much so that the mere mention of his name causes the Americans to tremble... Indeed, he was cut from the same cloth as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, may Allah have mercy on him. Thus, it is not a surprise for us to learn that there was a great friendship and admiration between these two men—they loved each other for their shared missionary work in the cause of Allah, and their jihad in the cause of Allah... There is no doubt that the death of Abu al-Laith al-Liby has saddened the Muslim faithful and has inspired delight in the hearts of their enemies. But... do they not realize that his blood, or the blood of any of our martyrs, is merely added fuel for the convoy of Islam?"

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