Algeria: Islamists behind hostage crisis vow more raids

21 Jan 2013, 11:19 am   -   Source: AAP
Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the one-eyed Islamist who formed his own brigade after a series of bitter feuds saw him cut ties with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, masterminded the attack on an Algerian gas plant that ended in scores dying. (AAP)

Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the one-eyed Islamist who formed his own brigade after a series of bitter feuds saw him cut ties with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, masterminded the attack on an Algerian gas plant that ended in scores dying. (AAP)

The Islamists behind the Algerian hostage crisis at a BP gas plant have vowed to launch more strikes against the West and some African nations.

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An al-Qaeda linked group which shocked the world with its audacious hostage attack in Algeria has threatened to stage strikes on nations involved in chasing out Islamists from neighbouring Mali.

The stern warning, published by the Mauritanian news agency ANI, appeared to be targeted at France - which is leading the offensive in Mali against jihadists occupying the north - as well as nine African nations that have pledged troops to join the campaign, and anyone else helping out.

"We promise more operations in all the countries which have taken part in the crusade against Azawad if they do not review their decision," the Signatories in Blood group said in a statement, referring to northern Mali.

Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the one-eyed Islamist who formed his own brigade after a series of bitter feuds saw him cut ties with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, masterminded the attack on an Algerian gas plant that ended in scores dying.

"We remind our Muslim brothers of the need to clear out from sites run by foreign companies, especially the French ones, to save their lives," the statement said.

The group said it had tried to negotiate with the Algerian army to seek an "immediate end to the aggression against Muslims in Mali and the liberation of our brothers being held by the crusaders".

It added: "But the Algerian army did not respond, ... preferring to stage an attack which led to the elimination of the hostages."

Earlier in a video released online, Belmokhtar said the brazen hostage attack was carried out by 40 fighters from the Muslim world and European countries.

Belmokhtar said he was speaking in the name of the "mother" outfit, or al-Qaeda.

He said the strike on the In Amenas gas complex involved 40 fighters "from different Islamic and even European countries", in the video posted by the Mauritanian site Sahara Media.

The video was filmed before the Algerian crisis ended in a bloodbath.

At least 32 kidnappers were killed in the 72-hour stand-off between them and Algerian forces and the army freed 685 Algerian workers and 107 foreigners, according to the interior ministry.

Algerian forces found the bodies of 25 hostages as they combed the gas plant on Sunday.

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