GAO, Mali, Feb 12, (Agencies): Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has called for jihad in Mali, a monitoring group said Tuesday, after four days of suicide attacks and guerrilla fighting in territory French-led forces reclaimed from Islamist rebels.

The call to holy war from AQAP, the global network’s Yemen-based branch — which US officials have labelled al-Qaeda’s most dangerous franchise — came as troops sought to tighten a security lock-down in Gao, the largest city in northern Mali and the target of a string of Islamist attacks.

AQAP condemned France’s month-old military intervention against Islamist groups in the partially desert nation as a “crusader campaign against Islam”, and called on Muslims everywhere to join the fight against it, the SITE Intelligence agency said.

“Supporting the Muslims in Mali is a duty for every capable Muslim with life and money, everyone according to their ability,” AQAP’s Sharia Committee said in a statement reported by US-based SITE, which monitors extremist Internet forums.

It said jihad is “more obligatory on the people who are closer” to the fight and that “helping the disbelievers against Muslims in any form is apostasy”.

The statements were an apparent reference to north African countries, notably Algeria, where Islamist gunmen attacked a gas field after the government agreed to let French warplanes use Algerian airspace, unleashing a hostage crisis that left 37 foreigners dead.

Seized
France launched its operation in Mali on Jan 11, after the interim government requested help against Islamist insurgents who had seized the north for 10 months and were advancing into southern territory.
Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama is spending up to $50 million from the Pentagon’s budget to assist Chad and France in their efforts to combat militants in Mali in North Africa.

The United States has been supporting the French military’s operations in northern Mali by providing refueling services for French forces and airlift support for French and Chadian forces.

Obama issued a memorandum to the State and Defense departments Monday advising them of his directive to use the $50 million. The State Department already had notified Congress of Obama’s intent to tap Pentagon funds.

A White House national security official said France is reimbursing the US for fuel.

The US has supported French efforts to knock out terrorist sanctuaries in Mali, but has avoided direct involvement.

In other news, Britain announced a £5 million ($7.8 million, 5.8 million euros) aid package on Tuesday to buy food, medical supplies and clean water for civilians caught up in the conflict in Mali.

The aid will also help the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide physiotherapy for disabled Malians and psychological care for those affected by the conflict, Britain’s international development ministry said.

“As is so often the case, innocent civilians are paying a heavy toll for the violent conflict in Mali,” said International Development Secretary Justine Greening.

“This urgent package of support will help provide essential care for those exposed to the conflict and allow the people of Mali to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.”

The aid includes funding for the UN’s World Food Programme to help feed more than 100,000 Malians facing shortages, the ministry said.

The package brings Britain’s total aid to Mali to £13 million.

A French-led military assault launched on January 11 has recaptured northern Mali’s major towns from Islamist militants who seized control of them almost a year ago.

But the Islamists have started a campaign of suicide attacks, landmine explosions and guerrilla fighting in a troubling turn for France, which is preparing to hand over the military operation to African troops.