AQIM claims responsibility for failed bomb attack in Mauritania

The North African wing of Al Qaeda (AQIM) has claimed responsibility for the failed suicide bomb attack at Nema, some 1,200 km east of Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania.

The failed attack came on Aug. 25, when the Mauritanian army shot to death a suicide bomber attempting to force through the gates of an army barracks with a 4x4 vehicle full of explosives.

In a statement on an Arabic website, the terrorist organization said this failed attack was meant to be a revenge against the July 22 Franco-Mauritanian raid on an AQIM camp. Seven AQIM members lost their lives during the assault, which was reportedly launched to release a 78-year-old French hostage.

The statement gave the details of the operation, saying the vehicle of the suicide bomber was transporting 1.2 tons of explosives and that he managed to force himself through the gates of the barracks, causing serious damage to the property.

According to Mauritania's security sources, the attempted attack left the suicide bomber dead and more than three Mauritanian military officers injured.

Source: Xinhua