Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), a terrorist group based in North Africa with allegiance to Al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for an attack on the Israeli embassy in Mauritania that wounded three bystanders.

At least one unidentified gunmen opened fire on the Israeli embassy in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott, setting off a gun battle with guards on February 1, 2008.  Three suspects, who allegedly yelled “Allah Akbar” (God is great) during the attack, were arrested after trying to flee a police roadblock on their way to a getaway car.

AQIM issued a statement saying, “This attack comes at a time when the bastard Jews are tormenting our brothers in Palestine with an unjustified siege.”

Despite AQIM’s statement claiming responsibility for the attack, the head of Israel’s security agency claimed that the gunmen were attacking a nearby restaurant and disco and not the Israeli embassy.

In February 2007, Al Qaeda’s second in command, Ayman al-Zawahri, released a video calling for an attack on the Israeli embassy in Mauritania.