GSPC leaders behind kidnappings in Algeria

The command of the Safist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) has remarkably intensified kidnappings in return for ransom since January 2008.

• Security observers say this terrorist plan has 3 objectives but its consequences will be negative on the GSPC’s future.
• It is believed that those kidnappings are meant to compensate for the dismantling of terror support networks.
• Security analyses indicate that kidnappings will deepen boycott among citizens who used to fund the terrorist organisation especially the Kabylie region.
• The terrorist kidnappings plan show that they focus on Boumerdes (50 km east of Algiers) and Tizi Ouzou (100 km east of Algiers) or the so-called “the second zone”. That reflects the choice of the command to adopt kidnappings and directly benefit from booties. This indicator shows that there is a feeling of being surrounded and a need to get money as soon as possible.
• On the other hand, observers do not exclude that the kidnappings series would be a prelude for a next step of repentance of GSPC’s leaders.
• It is believed that local leaders would likely surrender after a blackmail campaign. Echorouk estimates indicate that the terrorist organisation got 5.3 billion centimes in kidnappings acts in June only.