Insurgencies in iraq, afghanistan, syria, yemen and elsewhere the majority linked to al qaeda are in the news on an almost daily basis. Alqaeda in the islamic maghrib militant group britannica. Gia, an islamic militant group that participated in algerias. Pdf boko haram, alqaeda in the islamic maghreb, al. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim was born from the salafist group for preaching and combat gspc, initially formed to establish an islamic state in algeria, but now believed to have more. Christopher stevens and three other americans, is suspected of having been carried out by various jihadist networks, such as al qaeda in the islamic maghreb, ansar al sharia and several other al qaeda affiliated groups. Introduction alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, launched in january 2007, is the most recently established franchise of osama bin ladens jihadi network, and it is also the only one to have so far escaped the decline and crisis of. His abduction was claimed by the emirate of the sahara, a branch of alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim.
Qutb, notably his book milestones 1964, and the concepts of far enemy and. He was ubiquitous and palpable, both in a physical and a cyberspectral form, to the extent that his death took on something of the feel of an exorcism. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, also sometimes referred to as al qaeda in the lands of the islamic maghreb aqlim, is an algerianbased salafijihadist organization that became affiliated with osama bin ladens al qaeda aq in 2006. This report represents a first step in that effort by surfacing and articulating six critical aq master narratives and detailing how those master narratives are used by two case study aq affiliates. To that end, it is currently engaged in an antigovernment campaign. The origins of aqim lie in the crucible of the algerian civil war. Former hostage held by al qaeda describes 6year ordeal in the sahara. In english they were sometimes referred to as group for call and combat. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, as the organization now denominates itself, has proven to be remarkably pragmatic, shifting away from those areas in north africa where it had come under. The geographical space which basically includes tunisia, algeria, and morocco and is currently called arabian maghreb. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb council on foreign relations. With a concrete assessment of the recent violence in algeria, this article demonstrates that gspcal qaeda in islamic maghreb is a good example of this dual nature, mixing local and global e. Text andor other creative content from this version of edwin dyer was copied or moved into al qaeda organization in the islamic maghreb with this edit on 20120103.
Jan 24, 20 by jonathan masters, online writereditor for the council on foreign relations introduction alqaida in the islamic maghreb aqim is a salafijihadist militant group and u. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, sometimes referred to as al qaeda in the lands of the islamc maghreb aqlim, is an algerian salafijihadist organization that joined al qaeda aq in 2006. Fault lines in global jihad pdf ebook download free. Arabian peninsula, the islamic maghreb, or other parts of the muslim. The same group, which now calls itself the islamic state, has over the years. Jihadists send mixed messages to tunisias salafis, bbc monitoring, november 8, 2012. The group is led by its cofounder, abu bakar bashir, who pledged loyalty to isis in july 2014. The alqaida in the islamic maghreb aqim is a terrorist organization and part of alqaeda. Using crime to advance salafist goals, secure safe havens, and acquire international reach and at times xenophobic society. The alqaeda organization in the islamic maghreb is an islamic organisation which has its roots in algeria. Alqaeda the forgotten faith stewart and andrew byers in the age of isis and at a time when a new generation barely remembers the debilitating panic and fear caused by the september 11 attacks on the world trade center, the organization behind that devastating incident and many others has slipped beneath the worlds radar. The insipient civil war is leading to fears that a connection between libyan islamists and isis in iraq, al qaeda in the islamic maghreb, al shabaab in somalia and kenya and boko haram in nigeria is a likely and undesirable outcome. Text andor other creative content from this version of edwin dyer was copied or moved into alqaeda organization in the islamic maghreb with this edit on 20120103. Shrouded as he was for a decade in an apparent cloak of anonymity and obscurity, osama bin laden was by no means an invisible man.
Its operations seem to be part of localized fighting, and its. The evolution from algerian islamism to transnational terror, african journal of political science and international relations 2, no. The group was founded by hassan hattab, who was a member of the armed islamic group of algeria. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb signs and symbols of. The former pages talk page can be accessed at talk. But very little surfaces about a festering insurgency that has been on the go for six years in west africa under the acronym of aqim, or al qaeda in the islamic maghreb. May 23, 2016 the united states faces an important strategic question in northwest africa. Based in the sahara and sahel, alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim seeks to rid north africa of western influence.
Isis and al qaeda continue to recruit extremists in tunisia. Jemaah islamiyah ji is a jihadist group in southeast asia that seeks to establish a caliphate in the region through violent means. Al qaeda is setting conditions in the sahel that will threaten us and european interests. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb signs and symbols of cults. Mar 16, 2016 al qaedas branch in africa makes a lethal comeback french forces in january near a hotel in ouagadougou, burkina faso, occupied by militants from al qaeda in the islamic maghreb. While the number of islamist insurgent combatants appears to.
Aqim is deeply rooted in algerias recent history of violence and strife, but. Judging by primary sources internal to aq, bin laden and other aq leaders lived to regret that decision. Not the same as in 2001 not necessarily connected by formal networks defined by common purpose and common experiences al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim leaders are part of al qaeda core leadership, with decades worth of common history and experiences. Implications for algerias regional and international relations by dario cristiani and riccardo fabiani. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb center for strategic and. The iraqbased group that was once led by abu musab alzarqawi and called jamaat altawhid waaljihad is the only regional jihadi group that was brought under alqaedas fold by osama bin laden. It has 300400 members and is one of the best organized terrorist groups in the world. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb pen and sword books. Al qaedas branch in africa makes a lethal comeback the new. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb terror trends bulletin.
Aqim operates on a budget comparable to that of a small pharmaceutical. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb leader congratulates. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb, or aqim, developed from earlier jihadist groups with their roots in algerias brutal civil war of the 1990s. In particular, inspire 17 features the emir of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb, abu musab abdel al wadoud. These books, written by marighella, have had more influence on recent revolutionary terrorism than any other set of theories. The audio statement is nearly four minutes long and it is read while a picture of droukdel is displayed on screen. The group has executed numerous violent attacks in north and west africa. By 2012 al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim had become the primary source of income for the al qaeda. The role al qaeda plays in cyberterrorism lyda tesauro according to the united states department of state, al qaeda is a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the immigration and nationality act. The former pages history now serves to provide attribution for that content in the latter page, and it must not be deleted so long as the latter page exists. Pdf unravelling al qaeda terrorism in the maghreb region. But very little surfaces about a festering insurgency that has been on the go for six years in west africa under the acronym of. Alqaeda organization in the islamic maghreb simple.
Qutb, notably his book milestones 1964, and the concepts of far enemy and near enemy. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, launched in january 2007, is the most recently established franchise of osama bin ladens jihadi network, and it is also the only one to have so far escaped the decline and crisis of the other branches of alqaeda in the arab world. Aqim abbreviation stands for al qaida in the islamic maghreb. As a formal al qaeda affiliate, the group is dedicated to dismantling regional governments and implementing sharia islamic law in areas where it operates, primarily in algeria, mali, mauritania, libya, tunisia, and niger.
We aim to recall the most important political stops by which the islamic victory passed. Jun, 2018 insurgencies in iraq, afghanistan, syria, yemen and elsewhere the majority linked to al qaeda are in the news on an almost daily basis. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb the new york times. Gray and erik stockham, alqaeda in the islamic maghreb. What is the abbreviation for al qaida in the islamic maghreb. Venter is a specialist military writer and has had 50 books published. But very little surfaces about a festering insurgency that has been on the go for six years in west afr. Combat gspc, al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is the latest incarnation of. Sep 08, 2018 kasserine is an impoverished city in western tunisia, where the high unemployment rate and the lack of opportunities for young people have made it a recruiting area for the islamic state and al qaeda. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb mapping militant organizations.
The social media experience of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb article pdf available in studies in conflict and terrorism march 2016 with 324 reads. They are armed, and were called salafist group for preaching and combat french. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is a salafijihadist militant group and u. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim emerged from a decadeslong militant islamist tradition in algeria. Again, this method of operation is common to al qaeda operations elsewhere, especially in areas like. Alqaedas north african branch, aqim, operates in algeria, mali, niger, libya, mauritania, and tunisia. Al qaeda and affiliates congressional research service 25. Three burkina faso attackers at large, says french pm. Libya is in a parlous state and her neighbours and allies are deeply concerned for the stability of the region. The narrative landscape of alqaeda in the islamic maghreb valentina bartolucci steven r. The role al qaeda plays in cyberterrorism small wars journal. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is a salafijihadist militant group and u. Analysis of the genesis, evolution, and strategies of the islamist violent extremist groups in africa.
Taking a long view of aqims origins and actions, this article uses a. Using crime to advance salafist goals, secure safe havens, and acquire international reach leaders. The magazine is published by the media arm of al qaeda in the arabian peninsula, but it covers al qaeda operations worldwide. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb, established in january 2007, is the latest in a long. It has since evolved and expanded across the sahel. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim has become the wealthiest and most active of all al qaeda affiliates, using its funds in a heartsandminds campaign aimed at the most impoverished residents of the saharasahel region. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb archives world watch monitor. Fis from winning the first democratic elections in the history of the country. Ji first raised its global profile after carrying out bombings in bali in 2002 and 2005, killing 202 and 20 people. Aqim then carried out several large attacks against algerian state. The true story of radical islam, london, penguin books. Main sources of funding see more information in the financial details section g8 countries agree to stop paying ransoms to terrorist groups such as aqim. By jonathan masters, online writereditor for the council on foreign relations introduction alqaida in the islamic maghreb aqim is a salafijihadist militant group and u. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb and boko haram are both renewing attacks in the region.
The organization was founded as the gspc in 1998 by a former member of the armed islamic group groupe islamique arme. The sahel is the transitional zone between northern africa and subsaharan africa. Boko haram, alqaeda in the islamic maghreb, alshabaab similarities and differences. By 2012 al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim had become the primary source of income for the al qaeda network tobacco many groups engage in legitimate business activities to raise and distribute money navias, 2002. The rise of affiliated groups such as al qaeda the arabian peninsula and al qaeda in the islamic maghreb is a new and important development and. The narrative landscape of alqaeda in the islamic maghreb.
The emir of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, abdelmalek droukdel, has released an audio message praising the jihadist coalition that took control of the city of idlib late last month. Its over 1,000 days now since an australian doctor, ken elliott, was kidnapped in djibo, burkina faso, on 15 january, 2016. Al qaeda in the islamic maghrib, algeriabased islamic militant group, active in north africa and the sahel region. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim and related groups overview aqim, a u. Arabian peninsula and al qaeda in the islamic maghreb is a new and important development and is also a troubling development. Al qaedas branch in africa makes a lethal comeback french forces in january near a hotel in ouagadougou, burkina faso, occupied by militants from al qaeda in. Al qaedas branch in africa makes a lethal comeback the. Previously, aqim was known as the salafist group for preaching and combat gspc. Read this book and over 1 million others with a kindle unlimited membership. Al qaeda has issued its latest edition of inspire magazine, inspire 17. Alqaeda organization in the islamic maghreb simple english.
Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim counter extremism. Leading jihadist groups such as alqaeda and the islamic state dominate through cooperation in the form of knowledge sharing, resource sharing. Most of the world thinks it is a takfiri and terrorist organization members of alqaeda have performed many acts of terrorism. In his second book, organizational behavior profile. Pdf, while enabling alqaeda to burnish its international credentials and, potentially, access a region. Evidence is displayed during a hearing in tunis for suspected members of alqaeda in the islamic maghreb. The leader of hizbul islam, sheikh hassan aweys, who is on the u. Using historical analysis, the article demonstrates how terrorism has evolved and changed forms in the. Introduction alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, launched in january 2007, is the most recently established franchise of osama bin ladens jihadi network, and it is also the only one to have so far escaped the decline and crisis of the other. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb, previously considered a weak part of al qaeda, is now seen as a force in africa. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim and related groups. Al qaedas affiliate there, al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, is developing capabilities that threaten american interests in west africa in a way that does not raise red flags in washington.