Al-Qaeda Denies Planting Bombs in Public Places in Algeria

On February 26, 2007, Islamist websites posted an official announcement by the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Organization dated February 24, 2007, denying media reports regarding the discovery and defusing of bombs allegedly planted by the organization in public places in Algiers and Blida. The message states that the reports were circulated by the "Crusader's servants" in order to blacken the name of the jihad fighters. The following are excerpts:

"We completely deny planting bombs in non-military locations in Algiers and Blida… If such bombs were indeed discovered, it is the apostates who planted them. The smear campaign they are waging against our Islamic brothers aims to blacken the name of the jihad fighters and to cause Muslims to inform on them. We do not rule out the possibility that the [apostate] leaders might perpetrate such crimes against the Muslims and attribute them to the jihad fighters…We warn them not to do this, and promise to avenge our brothers [if they do]… Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Organization is the vanguard and shield of the Muslim nation. It strives to defend the Islamic faith, its honor and its holy places, and it is inconceivable that [this organization] would harm Muslims… Rest assured that we know how to choose our targets well…"

The Islamic Courts Union Declares its Political Positions

On February 26, 2007, the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) posted a communiqué on Islamist websites in which it declared its positions regarding the Somali nation, the Somali regime and the occupying forces. The ICU declares in the message that it feels solidarity with the Somali nation, since the Somali nation and the ICU are both suffering from the occupation, and are both working together to reestablish security and stability in Somalia. Addressing the question of political participation, the ICU expresses willingness to take part in any negotiations that will lead to the withdrawal of the foreign forces from Somalia, and reminds the Somali government that the "gates of repentance are still open." At the end of the message, the ICU calls upon the Somalis to fear God, to avoid internal disputes and strife, to work together to promote unity and tolerance, and to discard tribal loyalties. It also urges the Somalis to oppose the occupation which harms the entire nation, emphasizing that weapons must be aimed only at the enemy, while the Muslims' lives, honor, property must be preserved and internal fighting must be avoided.