Qaeda urges jihad against France in Mali
2013-02-12 13:42
Dubai - Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has
called for jihad, or holy war, to thwart France's military intervention in Mali
against Islamist rebels, SITE Intelligence agency reported on Tuesday.
"Supporting the Muslims in Mali is a duty for every
capable Muslim with life and money, everyone according to their ability,"
the Sharia Committee of the extremist group said in a statement reported by
US-based SITE, which monitors extremist Internet forums.
AQAP, which has been labelled the most dangerous branch of
the global jihadist network, said France's "Crusader campaign against
Islam" has no justification and a "declaration of aggression against
Islam and its people".
It said jihad is "more obligatory on the people who are
closer" to the fight, in an apparent reference to North African nations
and those living in countries helping France.
"Helping the disbelievers against Muslims in any form
is apostasy from the religion," it added.
France launched its operation in the African country on 11
January after Mali's interim government requested help. It sent in fighter
jets, attack helicopters and ground troops to battle Islamist rebels who had
seized the north and were advancing into southern territory.
The campaign racked up a string of early successes as French
and African troops drove the extremists from Gao, Timbuktu and the rest of the
towns under their control.
AQAP was founded in January 2009 when the Saudi and Yemen
branches of the network merged in the south Arabian Peninsula country, and
remains active in lawless parts of Yemen despite several military campaigns by
Sanaa.
- SAPA
