Al-Qaeda Organization In The Islamic Maghreb
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb | |
---|---|
تنظيم القاعدة في بلاد المغرب الإسلامي | |
Participant in Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present) | |
Active | 1998–present |
Leaders | Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud |
Area of operations |
Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger and Tunisia |
Strength | 300–800 |
Part of | Al-Qaeda |
Originated as | Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat |
Allies | Al-Qaeda Boko Haram MOJWA |
The Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) (Arabic: تنظيم القاعدة في بلاد المغرب الإسلامي Tanẓīm al-Qā‘idah fī Bilād al-Maghrib al-Islāmī) is a Mali-based Islamist militant organization which aims to overthrow the Algerian government and institute an Islamic state. To that end, it is currently engaged in an insurgent campaign.
The group has declared its intention to attack Algerian, Spanish, 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.
Membership is mostly drawn from the Algerian Kabyle and local Saharan communities, as well as Moroccans from city suburbs of the north-African country.
AQIM is heavily involved in drug trafficking, smuggling as well as other criminal activities, and it has focused on kidnap for ransom as a means of raising funds
Read more about Al-Qaeda Organization In The Islamic Maghreb: Names, History, Speculation About International Links, Statements, Major Attacks Since 2002, Edwin Dyer
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