Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: The Ongoing Evolution of Jihadist Terrorism in North

[Ulrich]

Hello,

found two interesting articles about Al Qaida in Maghreb, written by J.Peter Pham, PhD and . Maybe they are interesting.
Anneli Botha, Circunstancia (Fundacion José Ortega y Gasset).

Although the threat of terrorism in North Africa is not a new challenge to safety and security in the region, its focus constantly changes. Recently this manifested in the name change of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, commonly known as the GSPC to al-Qa'eda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM). Notwithstanding the fact that this new direction was influenced by an attempt to remain relevant – therefore influenced by weakness not strength – it signalled to the international community that al-Qa'eda not openly confirmed its presence in the region, but with it came an increase in threat perception to Western interests and nationals. The following brief paper hope to place the threat to Europe and Western interest in context: Firstly in particularly Algeria, but secondly the threat presented by individuals originally from North Africa directly to European countries. The paper conclude with a call to European countries to carefully assess the medium- to long-term impact counter-measures have in the broader fight against radicalization, extremism and terrorism.

Circunstancia - ISLAMIST TERRORISM IN THE MAGHREB: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ALGERIA

and

Analyzing the veritable “surge” last summer in attacks launched by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), I suggested in this column space that both the rhetoric of the group and the threat it actually poses were likely to continue to grow. However, the terrorist group’s increasing involvement in criminal activities, especially the kidnapping of foreigners for ransom, has led some to conclude that, as Michael Petrou memorably summarized it in an article last week in the Canadian news magazine Maclean’s, “AQIM militants of late have appeared more like members of a desert biker gang than vanguard holy warriors poised to restore an Islamic caliphate across the Middle East.” While undoubtedly a shift is occurring within AQIM, this may signal a more – rather than less – dangerous development in the evolution of the group.

Family Security Matters - Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: The Ongoing Evolution of Jihadist Terrorism in North Africa

Regards

Ulrich