Islamist Websites Monitor No. 56

GIMF Announces the Reappearance of Its E-Journal Sawt Al-Jihad

On January 28, 2007, the Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF) announced on Islamist websites the imminent release of the 30th issue of its e-journal Sawt Al-Jihad (The Voice of Jihad), after a long period of non-publication. Among the articles in this issue are an interview with an Al-Qaeda member who participated in the raid on the Saudi oil refinery in Abqaiq ; an article titled "'Isa Al-'Awsh - a Knight of Media Jihad"; and an interview with jihad commander Karim Al-Majati.

Below is the cover of the issue.

The Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) Changes Its Name to "Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghrib"

On January 26, 2007, Islamist websites posted a communiqué by the Algerian Salafi organization "Group for Preaching and Combat" (GSPC), signed by organization commander Abu Mus'ab 'Abd Al-Wadud, which announces that the GSPC has changed its name to "The Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghrib." The message explains that, after "joining Al-Qaeda [in September 2006] and pledging allegiance to bin Laden... the organization had no choice but to... take a new name reflecting the unity, the strong affinity, and the real connection between the mujahideen of Algeria and their brothers in the Al-Qaeda organization." The message further states that the GSPC was ready to change its name immediately after joining Al-Qaeda, but refrained from doing so until it received an order from bin Laden.

Hizb Al-Tahrir Announces Its First "Khilafah Conference" in Australia

On January 27, 2007, an Islamist website posted a communiqué by the organization Hizb Al-Tahrir, announcing that the organization's first Khilafah (Caliphate) Conference will be held in Sydney, Australia on January 28, 2006. The message states that the conference will be attended by leading scholars from Australia and other countries, who will lecture on various aspects of the Islamic Caliphate: its history, the legal necessity for its establishment, the devastating consequences of its destruction for the Islamic nation, the progress made in the effort to reestablish it today, and the potential challenges it might face upon its reestablishment.

Below is the announcement:

Taliban Claims Responsibility for Assassinating Afghan MP

On January 26, 2007, Islamist websites posted a Taliban communiqué claiming responsibility for the assassination of Afghan MP Maulvi Mohammad Islam Mohammadi, which took place in Kabul on that date. The communiqué accused Maulvi of blocking the road used by the mujahideen as their escape route during the U.S. invasion, and of cooperating with the current U.S. occupation of Afghanistan.

Islamist Websites Monitor No. 57

Report: Four Sunni Jihad Groups Plan to Unite Under Sheikh Abdullah Al-Janabi

On January 29, 2007, Islamist websites cited a January 18, 2007 report by the Iraqi Al-Malaf news agency (http://www.almalafpress.com ), which stated that Sheikh Abdullah Al-Janabi - the former head of the Shura Council of the Mujahideen in Fallujah and one of the individuals on the U.S.'s and the Iraqi government's most wanted list - is planning to return to the jihad front. According to the report, Al-Janabi plans to head a new Iraqi jihad group called "Jaysh Al-Muslimin" (The Muslim Army) which will incorporate four organizations that have decided to unite: Kata'ib Thawrat Al-'Ishrin, Liwa Al-Islam, Jaysh Al-Mujahideen, and Jaysh Al-Rashidin. The message also mentions that five other jihad groups, whose names are not given, have recently united.

Friends of Somalia Brigade Denies Receiving Funds from Al-Qaeda

On January 29, 2007, Islamist websites posted a communiqué by the Islamist media group "Friends of Somalia Brigade," signed by the group's secretary-general Abu 'Aksha Al-Somali. The communiqué denies rumors "which were spread in the Somali media and on several American websites" that the group is funded by Al-Qaeda. The organization, states the communiqué, was established at the request of "a group of brothers from the Media Front for the Support of the Somali Resistance," and is funded by contributions from Muslims and donors worldwide. The message further states that the Friends of Somalia Brigade does not serve any particular group, but rather serves "all those who aim their weapons at the enemies of the faith," and that its members are 25 reporters in various parts of Somalia whose job is to convey "confirmed information."

Al-Baghdadi Claims to Be the "[Real] Authority in Iraq"

On January 28, 2006, Islamist websites posted a letter from "The Office of Emir Al-Muaminin [i.e. Commander of the Believers] Abu Omar Al-Husseini Al-Baghdadi" to UAE Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. From the letter, dated January 27, 2007, it can be understood that Al-Baghdadi's people managed to intercept a letter sent by Al-Nahyan's office to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki on January 11, 2007, in which the UAE Interior Minister announces his intention to send a delegation to Iraq in early February. Al-Baghdadi's letter to Al-Nahyan states: "Al-Maliki has authority over nothing, and the proof of this is that your letter to him [did not reach him, but instead] reached the [real] authority [in Iraq, i.e. Al-Baghdadi himself]... If you still want something, you can write to the office of the Commander of the Believers."

Islamist Websites Monitor No. 58

Salahaldin Al-Ayoubi Brigades Deny Any Contacts with Iraqi Government

On January 31, 2007, an Islamist website posted a communiqué in the name of the Salahaldin Al-Ayoubi Brigades, in which the groups deny allegations by the Al-Watan daily that the Salahaldin Al-Ayoubi Brigades had contacted the Iraqi government in an attempt to join the political process in Iraq. In the message, the groups explain that their official announcements are posted either on their official website or via specific Islamist websites, but never via a spokesman, and that Al-Watan had therefore erred in attributing information to the Salahaldin Al-Ayoubi Brigades based on statements by Dr. Murtadha Al-'Ani, who presented himself as the groups' spokesmen.

Islamist Websites Monitor No. 59

Islamist Group in Libya Denies Renouncing Armed Jihad

In a communiqué by the Islamic Fighting Group in Libya, posted February 1, 2007 on Islamist websites, the group denies the Libyan government's assertion that it "is heading towards reconciliation and towards a settlement [with the Libyan government] and... that it has renounced armed jihad." The messages accuses the Libyan government of spreading lies, stressing that the group remains fully committed to armed jihad and will continue this jihad under all circumstances. At the end of the message, the Islamic Fighting Group promises to display only "patience and endurance, might and defense, jihad and battle, perseverance and persistence, hostility and hatred - until God judges justly between us and [the Libyan government]."

Organization called "Islamist Revenge Cells" in the Arabian Peninsula

Pledges Allegiance to Osama bin Laden

On January 31, Islamist websites posted an announcement by an organization called Khallayat Al-Intiqam Al-Islamiyya (the Islamist Revenge Cells). In the announcement, which was issued by Shams Media Company and designated as the organization’s first communiqué, the organization pledges allegiance to Osama bin Laden, and promises to join him in fighting the infidels to the death by all available means. The announcement states further that one of the organization’s primary goals is to purge the Arabian Peninsula of all infidels, including the Shi'ites.

MEMRI stresses that the authenticity of this document is unverified