Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present)

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Islamic insurgency in the Maghreb
Part of the War on Terrorism
Insurgency Maghreb.png
States of Maghreb and Sahel affected by the insurgency
Date 2002 – ongoing
Location Algeria, Ceuta, Mali, Mellila, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Tunisia
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Flag of Algeria.svg Algeria
Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco
Flag of Mali.svg Mali
Flag of Mauritania.svg Mauritania[1]
 France[2]
Limited involvement:
 Tunisia[3]
 Senegal[4]
 Burkina Faso[5]
 Nigeria[6]
Supported by:
 United States
 United Kingdom
 European Union
 Spain[7]
 Chad[8]
Flag of Jihad.svg Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb
(2002-2007 under the name Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat)
Free Salafist Group (GSL)

Morroco :

Moroccan Group of Preaching and Combat[9]
Moroccan Islamic Front[9]
Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group (MICG)

Tunisia :Tunisian Combat Group
Tunisian Islamic Fighting Group (GMPC)
El Jabha El Islamiya Ettounsia

Spain (Ceuta and Melilla) : Salafia Jihadia
Nadim al Magrebi

Commanders and leaders
Amari Saifi (P.O.W.)
Nabil Sahraoui
Abou Mossaab Abdelouadoud
Strength
250,000[citation needed] AQOIM : 300-800 fighters[citation needed]
Casualties and losses
6,000+[10]

The Maghreb (more specifically, Algeria, Mauritania and Morocco) has been the subject of an insurgency since 2002 waged by the neo-Khawarij Islamist militia, Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, or, GSPC. The GSPC allied itself with the Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb against the Algerian government.

This alliance created a division within the GSPC and led to the creation of the Free Salafist Group (GSL) another militant group opposing the Algerian government and Western interests. The conflict is a continuation of the Algerian Civil War that ended in 2002, and has since spread to other neighboring countries.

Contents

[edit] Timeline

[edit] End of the Algerian civil war and initial militant activities

With the Groupe Islamique Armé's decline, the GSPC was left as the most active rebel group, with about 300 fighters in 2003.[11] It continued a campaign of assassinations of police and army personnel in its area, and also managed to expand into the Sahara, where its southern division, led by Amari Saifi (nicknamed "Abderrezak el-Para", the "paratrooper"), kidnapped a number of German tourists in 2003, before being forced to flee to sparsely populated areas of Mali, and later Niger and Chad, where he was captured.

Some believe that El Para actually works for the Algerian government. By late 2003, the group's founder had been supplanted by the even more radical Nabil Sahraoui, who announced his open support for al-Qaeda, thus strengthening government ties between the U.S. and Algeria. He was reportedly killed shortly afterwards, and was succeeded by Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud in 2004.[12]

The GSPC has declared its intention to attack Algerian, French, and American targets. It has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. Department of State, and similarly classed as a terrorist organization by the European Union.

Yet certain observers have consistently argued that the claims about terrorist threats in the Sahara and an alliance between these groups and Al-Qaida are exaggerated, that certain key events were fabricated, and that much of the hype is the result of a campaign of deception and disinformation led by the Algerian government, and perpetuated by the media.[13]

[edit] 2002

[edit] 2003

[edit] 2004

[edit] 2005

[edit] 2006

[edit] 2007

[edit] 2008

[edit] 2009

[edit] 2010

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Al-Qaeda 'behind' Mauritania raid". BBC News. June 6, 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4613107.stm. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
  2. ^ Participated in raids alongside Mauritanian military http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703578104575396912437173940.html
  3. ^ http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/07/201071994556568918.html
  4. ^ http://www.criticalthreats.org/west-africa-and-maghreb/al-qaeda-threat-west-africa-and-maghreb-french-hostage-execution-aug-2-2010-5783
  5. ^ http://www.criticalthreats.org/west-africa-and-maghreb/al-qaeda-threat-west-africa-and-maghreb-french-hostage-execution-aug-2-2010-5783
  6. ^ http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/07/201071994556568918.html
  7. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090721/wl_africa_afp/malispainterrorismaid
  8. ^ http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gcc4_kVLswRZgfxdB6NEHOjqMs7g
  9. ^ a b http://www.cf2r.org/fr/notes-actualite/l-infiltration-al-qaeda-en-afrique.php
  10. ^ http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=11945 Africa’s forgotten wars shame the media
  11. ^ Profile: Algeria's Salafist group, BBC News, Wednesday 14 May 2003
  12. ^ New chief for Algeria's Islamists, Arezki Himeur, BBC News, Tuesday, 7 September 2004.
  13. ^ see especially the numerous writings by Jeremy Keenan, such as http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/3544 or "Waging War on Terror: the Implications of America's 'New Imperialism' for Saharan Peoples, Journal of North African Studies vol. 10, no. 3 (September–December 2005), p619-648
  14. ^ Algerian ambush leaves 15 dead, BBC News, 6 May 2002
  15. ^ 6 killed near Algerian capital: News24: Archive: News24
  16. ^ Algerian rebels kill 7: News24: Archive: News24
  17. ^ 11 killed in attack in Algeria: News24: Archive: News24
  18. ^ Algerian army kills 24 guerrillas, BBC News, 19 September 2002
  19. ^ Algerian militants massacre: News24: Archive: News24
  20. ^ Ouali, Aomar (January 6, 2003). "Algerian Islamists kill 56 in raids on army and families". The Independent (London). http://news.independent.co.uk/world/africa/article138051.ece. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
  21. ^ Newspaper: Berlin paid ransom to free hostages, Deutsche Welle 6 August 2004
  22. ^ a b c d Islamist Terrorism in the Sahel: Fact or Fiction? - International Crisis Group Report, 31 March 2005
  23. ^ Craig Whitlock (2006-10-28). "Taking Terror Fight to N. Africa Leads U.S. to Unlikely Alliances". The Washington Post: p. A01. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/27/AR2006102701713.html. Retrieved 2006-10-28. 
  24. ^ Algerian group backs al-Qaeda, BBC News, 23 October 2003
  25. ^ Appendix A - Chronology of Significant Terrorist Incidents, 2003 - Revised
  26. ^ 15 die in Algerian violence: Africa: News: News24
  27. ^ "Two soldiers killed in Algeria violence. – UPI NewsTrack (May, 2004)". http://www.accessmylibrary.com/comsite5/bin/pdinventory.pl?pdlanding=1&referid=2930&purchase_type=ITM&item_id=0286-7056764. [dead link]
  28. ^ "10 Algerian soldiers killed in deadliest attack this year". USA Today. June 2, 2004. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2004-06-02-algeria-attack_x.htm. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
  29. ^ Algerian terror leader killed The Australian, 20 June 2004
  30. ^ Algiers blast 'was car bombing', BBC News, 7 July 2004
  31. ^ 3 Algerian extremists killed: Africa: News: News24
  32. ^ Four killed at fake roadblock: Africa: News: News24
  33. ^ Algeria: Rebels kill 6: Africa: News: News24
  34. ^ a b Interview with Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud, commander of the GSPC, 26 September 2005 (globalterroralert.com website) (pdf)
  35. ^ 16 Algerians killed in attack: Africa: News: News24
  36. ^ Algerian ambush toll hits 14: Africa: News: News24
  37. ^ Islamist ambush kills 12 troops: Africa: News: News24
  38. ^ BBC Documentary about increased US military focus on the Sahara region. August 2005.
  39. ^ Algeria militants kill 13 guards, BBC News, 9 June 2006
  40. ^ MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base
  41. ^ MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base
  42. ^ MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base
  43. ^ Algerian rebel gets life sentence, BBC News, 25 June 2005
  44. ^ 'Islamist militants' kill cops: Africa: News: News24
  45. ^ Interview with the Former Leader of the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, Ash-Sharq al-Awsat, 17 October 2005
  46. ^ Militants kill 5 in Algeria : Africa: News: News24
  47. ^ 'Islamic militants' kill four: Africa: News: News24
  48. ^ Italy holds three terror suspects, BBC News 17 November 2005
  49. ^ Salafist leader killed in Algeria Al-Jazeerah, 2 February 2006
  50. ^ Top Algerian Islamist slams Qaeda group, urges peace, Reuters, 30 March 2006
  51. ^ World Tribune.com - Salafists are back: Kill 13 in Algeria
  52. ^ MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base
  53. ^ 19 Islamists killed in Algeria: Africa: News: News24
  54. ^ Algerian rebels kill 4 in ambush: Africa: News: News24
  55. ^ MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base
  56. ^ c
  57. ^ Al-Qaeda's Far-Reaching New Partner: Salafist Group Finds Limited Appeal in Its Native Algeria, Washington Post, October 5, 2006
  58. ^ Six soldiers killed in Algeria: Africa: News: News24
  59. ^ a b c "Bomb attacks hit Algerian police". BBC News. February 13, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6356781.stm. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
  60. ^ a b "FOXNews.com - Ambush Kills 7 Soldiers in Algeria". Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2006Nov10/0,4675,AlgeriaViolence,00.html. 
  61. ^ ABC News: ABC News
  62. ^ Tunisia is feared to be a new base for Islamists, International Herald Tribune, February 20, 2007]
  63. ^ 18 killed in Algeria: Africa: News: News24
  64. ^ Report: 1 soldier killed, 8 wounded in roadside bomb attack in eastern Algeria - International Herald Tribune
  65. ^ "Islamists battle Algeria's army". BBC News. January 30, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6313343.stm. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
  66. ^ MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base
  67. ^ India eNews - Al-Qaeda fighters kill nine soldiers in Algeria
  68. ^ United Nations Security Council Verbatim Report meeting 5659 on 12 April 2007 (retrieved 2008-08-21)
  69. ^ Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb clarifies..., SITE, 27 April 2007
  70. ^ Six suspected Islamist terrorists killed in Algeria
  71. ^ MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base
  72. ^ More than 20 Algerian militants killed
  73. ^ a b "Soldiers killed in Algerian bomb". BBC News. July 11, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6291232.stm. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
  74. ^ a b "France on Al-Qaeda alert after Algeria attack". http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22461984-5005961,00.html. [dead link]
  75. ^ a b "Algeria: 7 militants killed - Boston.com". http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2007/09/05/algeria_6_killed_in_ambush/. [dead link]
  76. ^ Al Jazeera English - News - Many Dead In Algeria Blast
  77. ^ a b "Qaeda N. Africa wing claims Algeria attacks: Jazeera". Reuters. September 8, 2007. http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL0731800220070908. 
  78. ^ Car bomb at barracks in Algeria kills at least 28 - Israel News, Ynetnews
  79. ^ a b "'Top Islamist killed' in Algeria". BBC News. November 16, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7098950.stm. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
  80. ^ Kuna site|Story page|Algerian army foils Qaeda attack east of Algiers ...10/14/2007
  81. ^ United Nations Security Council Verbatim Report meeting 5798 on 11 December 2007 (retrieved 2008-08-21)
  82. ^ "Algerian suicide bomb kills four". BBC News. January 2, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7167655.stm. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
  83. ^ Militants attack Israeli embassy in Mauritania
  84. ^ Qaeda in north Africa says kills 20 Algeria troops - International Herald Tribune
  85. ^ "Official: Roadside bomb kills 6 Algerian soldiers". The San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/06/06/international/i122927D22.DTL. [dead link]
  86. ^ United Nations Security Council Verbatim Report meeting 5962 on 19 August 2008 (retrieved 2008-08-21)
  87. ^ Double car bombing in Algeria kills 11.
  88. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/22/2370254.htm?section=justin
  89. ^ http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0219/p99s01-duts.html
  90. ^ "Al-Qaeda 'kills British hostage'". BBC News. June 3, 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8080447.stm. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
  91. ^ "Rebels kill 9 security guards in Algeria: witnesses". Reuters. February 23, 2009. http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE51M0EE20090223. 
  92. ^ http://www.france24.com/en/20090730-least-14-soldiers-killed-militants-attack-tipaza-terrorism-ambush-algeria-africa
  93. ^ a b Contacts to free Europeans held by Al-Qaeda in Africa
  94. ^ Al-Qaeda group frees 2 Spanish aid workers
  95. ^ Italian, wife missing in eastern Mauritania
  96. ^ Kidnapped Italians released in Mali
  97. ^ 3 Suspects Detained in Killing of 3 Saudis in Niger
  98. ^ 4th tourist dies in Niger
  99. ^ http://french.cri.cn/781/2010/01/29/301s210917.htm
  100. ^ http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE62727X.htm
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  104. ^ Mali border guards on alert after Niger kidnappings
  105. ^ http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/05/09/97001-20100509FILWWW00038-algerie-2-morts-dans-une-embuscade.php
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  111. ^ http://www.lexpressiondz.com/article/2/2010-07-15/78585.html
  112. ^ http://www.lexpressiondz.com/article/2/2010-07-26/78902.html
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