The group, which has its origins in the islamic armed group during algerias. The libyan islamic fighting group merged directly into alqaeda central. They are armed, and were called salafist group for preaching and combat french. The merger could also bolster aqims longterm presence in mali by widening its recruitment capability. Analysts say the merger, and the new moniker underscoring the islamic maghreb, symbolized the groups efforts to move beyond the algerian conflict.
The formation of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb was officially announced on sept. 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. Propaganda actions of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb 81 downloaded by. The unification between the al murabitoun organization and. His abduction was claimed by the emirate of the sahara, a branch of alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim. Jul 14, 2011 al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim poses the greatest immediate threat of transnational terrorism in northwest africa and is escalating its attacks against regional and western interests. Jihadist news alqaeda alqaeda in the arabian peninsula aqap alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim thursday, 02 march 2017 aqap and aqim eulogize the blind sheikh, call fighters to avenge his death in american prison. It has 300400 members and is one of the best organized terrorist groups in the world. 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. Aqim also failed in its attempt to transform itself into a north africa wide organization. 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. Its operations seem to be part of localized fighting, and its attacks remain below the threshold for a us or western response.
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. Undergoverned spaces in west africa and the maghreb created an environment in which aqim established safe havens. Its over 1,000 days now since an australian doctor, ken elliott, was kidnapped in djibo, burkina faso, on 15 january, 2016. Al qaeda claims responsibility for attack on burkina faso hotel. Using crime to advance salafist goals, secure safe havens, and acquire international reach leaders. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb and boko haram are both renewing. Jihadist news al qaeda al qaeda in the arabian peninsula aqap al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim thursday, 02 march 2017 aqap and aqim eulogize the blind sheikh, call fighters to avenge his death in american prison. In march 2017, aqims sahara branch merged with al mourabitoun, ansar. The recent merger of several malibased al qaeda groups is bad news for the already unstable sahel region. Since 2007, the group has professed its loyalty to osama bin laden and al qaedas senior leadership and claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks in.
Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb mapping militant organizations. Sep 01, 2011 al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim emerged from a decadeslong militant islamist tradition in algeria. 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. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb has had international ambitions since the central leadership of al qaeda bestowed member status on it in 2006.
Former hostage held by al qaeda describes 6year ordeal in the sahara. The alqaeda organization in the islamic maghreb is an islamic organisation which has its roots in algeria. Jan 17, 20 al qaeda in the land of the islamic maghreb aqim, to give its full name in english, has its roots in the bitter algerian civil war of the early 1990s, but has since evolved to take on a more. Hostage held by al qaeda in mali for 5 years is freed according to a retired european intelligence official, a payment of 3. The obama administration referred to aqim as a formal al qaeda affiliate. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim emerged from a decadeslong militant islamist tradition in algeria. Mar 28, 2017 the merger could also bolster aqims longterm presence in mali by widening its recruitment capability. Today these groups are waging jihad, killing thousands in their drives to establish islamic rule under shariah law this development didnt just happen. The islamic state militant group isis faces total defeat in the middle east, but al qaeda may once again rise from its ashes.
The new al qaeda entity will fuel an emboldened insurgency in mali and allow for greater coordination throughout th. The leaders of four al qaeda groups have united under a common banner. The al qaida in the islamic maghreb aqim is a terrorist organization and part of al qaeda. 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. In early 2017, aqims sahelbased emirate and al murabitoun announced a merger with ansar al dine and another malianled islamist. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is a jihadist terrorist group based in north africa. Alqaeda organization in the islamic maghreb simple english. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb is one of the regions wealthiest, bestarmed militant groups due to the payment of ransom demands by humanitarian organizations and western governments. Based in the sahara and sahel, alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim seeks to rid north africa of western influence. Ansari africa center of the atlantic council, washington, d. Terrorist learning in context the case of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb, critical studies on terrorism, doi. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb fdds long war journal.
Aug 10, 2010 the formation of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb was officially announced on sept. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, launched in january 2007, is the most recently established franchise of osama bin laden s 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. As for the decision to merge the three jihadi regions. The narrative landscape of alqaeda in the islamic maghreb valentina bartolucci steven r. The alqaeda affiliates merger in mali fair observer. Jan 24, 20 analysts say the merger, and the new moniker underscoring the islamic maghreb, symbolized the groups efforts to move beyond the algerian conflict and focus on jihadist aspirations in the. 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. Johan gustafsson, a swede kidnapped at gunpoint in timbuktu, mali, by al qaeda in the islamic maghreb in 2011 and recently. Alqaeda in the land of the islamic maghreb aqim salafist.
May 30, 2018 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 maghreb aqim is a salafijihadist militant group and u. The group was founded by hassan hattab, who was a member of the armed islamic group of algeria. The ongoing evolution of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb by j. In 2006 droukdel announced that the gspc had merged with al qaeda, and in 2007 the organization changed its name to al qaeda in the islamic maghrib aqim. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is the main terrorist organization in both. It originally formed from the algerian salafist group for preaching and combat. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb and boko haram are both renewing. Droukdel, the emir of alqaeda in the islamic maghreb, perhaps surprisingly argues that his fighters moved too fast and too brutally in applying the islamic law known as shariah to northern mali. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim and related groups overview aqim, a u. The islamic state militant group isis faces total defeat in the middle east, but alqaeda may once again rise from its ashes. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is a jihadist terrorist group based in north africa. 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. The united states faces an important strategic question in northwest africa.
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. Insurgencies in iraq, afghanistan, syria, yemen and elsewhere the majority linked to al qaeda are in the news on an almost daily basis. The new al qaeda entity will fuel an emboldened insurgency in mali and allow for. 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. The core groups other main branch, alqaeda in the islamic maghreb. Mar 16, 2016 al qaeda in the islamic maghreb has had international ambitions since the central leadership of al qaeda bestowed member status on it in 2006. The alqaida in the islamic maghreb aqim is a terrorist organization and part of alqaeda. As the group sought recognition from al qaeda s leaders, it became more active outside algeria, channeling fighters to the iraq war and launching an attack on a military post in mauritania. 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. Feb 14, 20 droukdel, the emir of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb, perhaps surprisingly argues that his fighters moved too fast and too brutally in applying the islamic law known as shariah to northern mali. Us africa command previously said that 11 aqim terrorists were killed and three vehicles destroyed in the precision airstrike near al uwaynat. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim poses the greatest immediate threat of transnational terrorism in northwest africa and is escalating its attacks against regional and western interests. Objectivesalqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is an fundamentalist islamic militant organization which aims to overthrow the algerian government and institute an islamic state. It is reported that 90 per cent of aqim resources come from ransoms paid in return for the release of hostages.
Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb archives world watch monitor. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb terror trends bulletin. But very little surfaces about a festering insurgency that has been on the go for six years in west africa under the acronym of. Mar 18, 2017 the leaders of four al qaeda groups have united under a common banner. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim and related groups. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim counter extremism. On september 11, 2001, the groups al shabaab, boko haram, al qaeda in the islamic maghreb, ansar al shariah and the islamic state were not just unheard ofthey didnt even exist. Alqaeda in the land of the islamic maghreb aqim, to give its full name in english, has its roots in the bitter algerian civil war of the early 1990s, but has since evolved to take on a more. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb center for strategic and. Al qaeda terrorism in the islamic maghreb and the sahel. Qaeda in the islamic maghreb organization was done with the intention of preserving a strong, united stance in the face of the occupying crusador enemy, and warned that a war between brothers among jihad fighters would lead to their destruction, and would do service to the crusader enemy. How alqaeda survived drones, uprisings,and the islamic state. Al qaedas branch in africa makes a lethal comeback the new.
The account was part of a drive set in motion in october 2009, when aqim created the alandalus. In his second book, organizational behavior profile. Gspcalqaeda in islamic maghreb, lexpedition du martyr soheib, 26 jumada al akhira 1428, 11 july 2007. The group declared its intention to attack european, spanish, french, and american targets but has been more successful in striking north african targets. To drive the nail home, droukdel derides belmokhtars wish to communicate directly with. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is a salafijihadist militant group and u. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim claimed responsibility for the attack, site intelligence group reported. The narrative landscape of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb valentina bartolucci steven r. Previously, aqim was known as the salafist group for preaching and combat gspc. Objectivesal qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is an fundamentalist islamic militant organization which aims to overthrow the algerian government and institute an islamic state. It was also published in a special edition of the georgetown security. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim aqim began as an outgrowth of the algerian civil war. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb the new york times.
The account was part of a drive set in motion in october 2009, when aqim created the al andalus. The group traces its provenance to algerias civil war in the 1990s, and has in the past decade become an alqaeda affiliate with regional ambitions. The narrative landscape of alqaeda in the islamic maghreb. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is a salafijihadist militant. The group, formed in 1998 as the salafist group for preaching and combat gspc, rejected the more violent and exclusivist tendencies of the armed islamic group gia and particularly sought to focus instead on attacks against military and government. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb council on foreign relations. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb cisac, stanford university. Alqaeda in the land of the islamic maghreb aqim after the gspc officially merged with alqaida aq in september 2006 the organization became known as alqaida in the islamic maghreb aqim. The evolving threat of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb by. The former pages history now serves to provide attribution for that content in the latter page. Pdf terrorist learning in context the case of al qaeda in. Alqaeda in the islamic maghrib militant group britannica.
Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is al qaedas premier affiliate in northern and western africa. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is an algerian salafijihadist militant organization operating in the african sahel region. Relationship with al qaeda andor the islamic state organization aqims union with al qaeda was announced by al qaeda s thendeputy leader ayman al zawahiri in 2006. As a formal alqaeda 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. In spain, italy, or france, but also in belgium and in germany in 2005 and 2006, and so on. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb has released a statement claiming that the victims of an american airstrike on nov. Over the past decade, alqaedas strategy across multiple regions has involved attempts to integrate into local communities and curry favor with regional populations, with the aim of enabling the groups affiliates to become accepted as. Implications for algerias regional and international relations by dario cristiani and riccardo fabiani. The group traces its provenance to algerias civil war in the 1990s and has in the past decade become an alqaeda affiliate with regional ambitions. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is an amor phous, resilient, and. In 2014, the group reiterated its allegiance to zawahiri, now al qaeda s leader, in the. Aqim then carried out several large attacks against algerian state. Mar, 2016 based in the sahara and sahel, alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim seeks to rid north africa of western influence. This blessed union, as zawahiri put it, vowed to be a bone in the throat of the american and french crusaders and.
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