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The
Algerian
terrorist
group,
The
Salafi
Group
for
Call
and
Combat
(GSPC),
issued
a
fatwa
justifying
the
killing
of
the
Jews
and
the
Christians
and
all
other
nonbelievers
in
Algeria
.
The
fatwa,
entitled
Fighting
the
Foreigners
and
signed
by
Abu
Ibrahim
Mustafa,
the
Emir
(prince)
of
the
Salafi
Group,
is
being
circulated
on
jihadist
websites.
Abu
Ibrahim
Mustafa
took
over
leadership
of
the
Salafi
Group
in
October
2003
and
immediately
pledged
loyalty
to
bin
Laden
and
al-Qaeda.
According
to
the
fatwa,
the
Salafi
Group
states
in
these
hard
circumstances
for
the
Muslim
nation
in
general,
and
especially
the
mujahideen,
to
declare
war
on
every
foreigner
nonbeliever
-
in
the
Algerian
lands.
The
governments
in
the
Muslim
lands,
according
to
the
fatwa
are
no
more
than
flags
put
by
the
Crusaders
before
leaving
to
keep
a
watchful
eye
on
the
Muslims
so
they
dont
have
a
government
which
brings
back
the
glory
of
Islam.
The
fatwa
further
condemns
the
Algerian
government
as
a
converted
government
and
accuses
other
regimes:
the
governments
in
the
Muslim
lands
are
no
more
than
flags
put
by
the
Crusaders
before
leaving
to
keep
a
watchful
eye
on
the
Muslims
so
they
dont
have
a
government
which
brings
back
the
glory
of
Islam.
Abu
Mustafa
calls
on
all
Muslim
Algerians
to
fight
foreigners
and
disregard
the
local
government:
Everyone,
which
concerns
the
individuals
and
establishments,
is
doing
the
duty
for
the
victory
of
Islam
and
Muslims,
is
pushing
away
the
attacks
of
Jews
and
Christians
and
other
non-believers
as
they
declare
that
they
are
not
bound
by
any
agreement
with
the
converted
Algerian
government.
A
Reminder:
The
Salafi
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
Treasurys
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.
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