Yet "some analysts say the threat of terrorism is being exaggerated." More on [1] this story.

"Mauritania declares mourning over decapitated soldiers," from [2] ABC News, September 22 (thanks to Jeffrey Imm):

The military government in Mauritania has declared three days of mourning following the discovery of the decapitated bodies of 12 soldiers.

Their bodies were dumped in the desert outside a northern town where the soldiers were captured on Monday.

A group calling itself Al Qaeda's North Africa wing has said it had abducted the soldiers during an ambush on an army patrol.

There is a difference of opinion as to how serious the threat of terrorism is in Mauritania.

There have been attacks in recent months for which Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility, including the [3] murder of three French tourists late last year which resulted in the cancellation of the famous Paris Dacca rally.

But some analysts say the threat of terrorism is being exaggerated.

The military led government has called for international support in the fight against terrorism, describing it as a very grave threat to the stability of the region.