Nouakchott (Earth Times) - A leader of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has called on al-Qaeda prisoners in Mauritania to rejoin the group in its desert strongholds. Abdelrahman al-Tandaghi, also known as "Abu Anas al-Shanqiti," called on the prisoners to re-link with the organization and take up "jihad" in a video released by AQIM's media arm.
The call comes as groups of Mauritanian intellectuals claim they have made strides in their government-sanctioned efforts to convince captured al-Qaeda militants to renounce "extremist thought" and violence.
The efforts are part of the government's new strategy to combat extremism through education.
Mauritania has for years been engaged in a battle against Islamist militants in the remote desert region it shares with Mali and Algeria.
In December, an Italian couple was abducted in the country, weeks after the abduction of three Spanish aid workers.
Al-Qaeda's North African branch claimed responsibility for both abductions, and is holding the victims hostage.
The call comes as groups of Mauritanian intellectuals claim they have made strides in their government-sanctioned efforts to convince captured al-Qaeda militants to renounce "extremist thought" and violence.
The efforts are part of the government's new strategy to combat extremism through education.
Mauritania has for years been engaged in a battle against Islamist militants in the remote desert region it shares with Mali and Algeria.
In December, an Italian couple was abducted in the country, weeks after the abduction of three Spanish aid workers.
Al-Qaeda's North African branch claimed responsibility for both abductions, and is holding the victims hostage.
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