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Algerian Civil War
Conflict between the Algerian government and several rebel groups has led to an Algerian Civil War. It began with the National Liberation Front cancelling elections and removing the president from power. Groups like the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) began rebelling against the government and killing people trying to overthrow the government. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algerian_Civil_War -
Broke Away
Al Quida in Islamic Maghreb (Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat) has been operational since 1996 and is now the most significant terrorist movement in Algeria. As the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), the group broke away from the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), which was the primary terrorist entity during the 1992-2000 in Algeria. http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=3777 -
New Leader
Abu Musab Abdul Wadud is now the leader of Al Quida in Islamic Maghreb. He gained power after the death of the last leader Nabil Sahraoui. Since he has been in power he as ordered several assassinations and terrrorist attacks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Musab_Abdel_Wadoud -
Death!!
In 2003 Nabil Sahraoui claimed his alliance with Osama bin Laden and his terrorist group. In June of 2004 he was killed in a shootout against the Algerian army. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabil_Sahraoui -
Conspiracy
Recently an arrests have been made on members of the Organization which have uncovered plans for chemical attacks. In April 2005, a GSPC member, Kamel Bourgass, was convicted for "conspiracy to cause public nuisance by use of poisons and/or explosives." http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/03/27/terrorist-prisoners-lose-human-rights-appeal_n_1382010.html -
Changed Name
In January of 2007, Al Qaida in Islamic Maghreb changed their name from Salefist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC). The GSPC was founded by Hassan Hattab, a former Armed Islamic Group (GIA) commander who broke with the GIA in 1998 in protest over the GIA's killing of many civilians. After an pardon by the government in 1999, many former GIA fighters laid down their arms, but a few remained active, including members of the GSPC. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda_in_the_Islamic_Maghreb -
U.S. Gets Involved
In December of 2007, the United States Department of the Treasury imposed financial sanctions on Abdel Wadoud assests to stop him from purchasing anything else. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Musab_Abdel_Wadoud -
AQIM in Mali
In 2012, AQIM took advantage of political chaos in northern Mali to confine its control there and worked with the secular Azawad National Liberation Movement (MNLA) to secure independence in Kidal, Gao, and Timbuktou for ethnic Tuaregs. http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/aqim.html -
AQIM linked to Libia
U.S. officials said Tuesday the deadly attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya has prompted a renewed focus on the threat posed by Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in North Africa, suspected of possible links to last month’s assault. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is now under intense scrutiny given its possible role in the incident http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Oct-03/189964-us-renews-focus-on-aqim-following-libya-attack.ashx#axzz2MxWR9sa8 -
Commader Dies
French military forces have claimed to have killed Abu Zeid, a field commander of the terrorist group Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb. Ennahar television said that 40 militants, including Abu Zeid, were killed during airstrikes in Mali. Abu Zeid has been considered one of the most violent AQIM field commanders with ambitions to lead the international terrorist organization. reports-abu-zeid-leader-al-qaeda-islamic-maghreb-killed-airstrike
