Nabil Sahraoui (26 September 1969 – 20 June 2004), alias Mustapha Abou Ibrahim, was an Algerian
Islamist militant, and the head of the radical ''Groupe Salafiste pour la Prédication et le Combat'' (GSPC, later renamed
Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb) from August 2003 until his death the following year.
Early life
Sahraoui was born in
Batna, Algeria
Batna () is the main city and commune of Batna Province, Algeria. With a population of 290,645 (2008 census) it is the fifth largest city in Algeria. It is also one of the principal cities of the Chaoui area and is considered the capital of Aur ...
, on 26 September 1966.
GSPC
In 2003, Sahraoui replaced
Hassan Hattab as the leader of the GSPC, since the latter was removed from the post due to his view that reconciliation with the government should be encouraged.
In October 2003, Sahraoui pledged allegiance as GSPC leader to both
Osama bin Laden
Osama bin Laden (10 March 19572 May 2011) was a militant leader who was the founder and first general emir of al-Qaeda. Ideologically a pan-Islamist, Bin Laden participated in the Afghan ''mujahideen'' against the Soviet Union, and support ...
's
Al Qaeda
, image = Flag of Jihad.svg
, caption = Jihadist flag, Flag used by various al-Qaeda factions
, founder = Osama bin Laden{{Assassinated, Killing of Osama bin Laden
, leaders = {{Plainlist,
* Osama bin Lad ...
organization and to the Taliban leader
Mohammed Omar.
Death
Sahraoui was killed in a shootout with the
Algerian army in the Kabylie region on 20 June 2004 at age 34.
His top aides were also killed in the military sweep.
Sahraoui was replaced as head of the GSPC by
Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud over the objections of former leader
Hassan Hattab.
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]
Notes
1969 births
2004 deaths
Islam in Algeria
Terrorism in Algeria
Islamic terrorism in Algeria
Algerian al-Qaeda members
Leaders of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
Deaths by firearm in Algeria
People from Batna, Algeria
Leaders of jihadist groups
Salafi jihadists
21st-century Algerian people
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