April 7, 2015
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Al Murabitoun
Overview
Figure 1. AQIM
AQIM was formed when the Algerian Salafist Group for
Preaching and Combat (GSPC) “united” with Al Qaeda in
2006 and renamed itself in 2007. AQIM has conducted
bombings against Algerian state targets, attacks on security
forces in Algeria and the Sahel region of West Africa
(Mauritania to Niger), and kidnappings, including of
Westerners, across the region. AQIM has also reportedly
provided support to other Africa-based violent extremist
groups. U.S. officials have assessed AQIM to be focused on
local and Western targets in North and West Africa,
potentially including U.S. interests and personnel.

Al Murabitoun was formed in 2013 through the merger of
Source: AQIM social media
two AQIM splinter factions: Al Mulathamun Battalion (the
Masked Ones, also known as the Battalion of Those Who
Areas of Operation
Sign in Blood) and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in
West Africa (MUJWA or MUJAO after its French
AQIM has claimed responsibility for, or otherwise been
acronym). In 2014, the State Department described Al
implicated in, killings of civilians and local security force
Murabitoun as “the greatest near-term threat to U.S. and
personnel, along with kidnappings, mostly for ransom, in
international interests in the Sahel,” citing its “stated intent
Algeria, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania. Al Murabitoun and its
to attack Westerners and proven ability to organize complex
component groups have claimed responsibility for attacks
attacks.”
and kidnappings in Algeria, Niger, and Mali. Both groups
have reportedly pursued ties to Islamist extremist
Both groups have leveraged instability in North and West
organizations in Tunisia and Libya, and elements of both
Africa to expand their scope of operations. In 2012, AQIM
are reported to be active in Libya.
and MUJAO claimed control over parts of northern Mali.
French military operations in Mali and the wider Sahel,
Algeria. AQIM claimed responsibility for a series of
launched in 2013, have killed or captured several AQIM
bombings in Algiers in 2007-08 targeting the prime
commanders and disrupted their logistical networks.
minister’s office, Constitutional Council, U.N. office in
However, both groups appear to have retained the capacity
Algiers, and a police precinct, killing dozens of people.
to move through the region and commit attacks.
Sporadic AQIM attacks on Algerian police and military
institutions have continued outside Algiers, occasionally
Leadership
killing a dozen or more people at a time, although the
frequency of such attacks has decreased since 2013. Al
AQIM’s emir, Abdelmalik Droukdel, an Algerian national,
Murabitoun’s Bel Mokhtar claimed responsibility for a
is reportedly based in northeastern Algeria. Long-reported
January 2013 attack near In Amenas, in southeastern
leadership disputes within AQIM have erupted since 2011,
Algeria, that involved seizing control of a natural gas
as several of AQIM’s former Sahel-based commanders
facility. Over 800 people were taken hostage, and 39
have joined or founded new groups.
civilians were killed, including three U.S. citizens. The
four-day siege ended with an Algerian military assault
Mokhtar bel Mokhtar, an Algerian national who was
against the compound. MUJWA’s first attack was the
previously a Sahel-based commander for AQIM, founded
kidnapping of three humanitarian workers from the Western
Al Murabitoun after publicly splitting from AQIM in 2012.
Sahara refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria, in 2011.
Some press reports place Bel Mokhtar in southwestern
Libya, but these have not been confirmed by U.S. officials.
Niger. AQIM has conducted multiple kidnappings in Niger.
Two French citizens were kidnapped in the capital, Niamey,
Objectives
in 2011, and were killed during a French rescue attempt. In
May 2013, before the merger of Al Mulathamun and
AQIM and Al Murabitoun rhetoric broadly focuses on
MUJWA, the two groups claimed joint responsibility for
achieving an Islamic caliphate in Algeria and throughout
twin suicide bombings in northern Niger against a Niger
North Africa, and on countering Western influence, notably
military base and a French-operated uranium mine. At least
that of former colonial power France.
20 people, including the attackers, were killed. Al
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Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Al Murabitoun
Murabitoun was implicated in smaller-scale attacks in
As mentioned above, three U.S. citizens were killed in the
western Niger, near the capital, Niamey, in late 2014.
In Amenas hostage-seizure attack in southeastern Algeria in
January 2013; seven more escaped during the attack.
Mali. AQIM has long had a presence in Mali, which has
served as a hub for kidnap-for-ransom operations and other
Size, Financing, and Capabilities
fundraising. AQIM and MUJWA asserted territorial control
in parts of northern Mali in 2012, in coordination with a
According to the State Department, as of 2013 AQIM had
Malian-led extremist group. France’s military intervention
under a thousand fighters in Algeria and a “smaller
in January 2013 restored nominal Malian state control and
number” in the Sahel. Sources of funding reportedly
weakened—but did not eliminate—these groups’ hold.
include kidnap-for-ransom, involvement in smuggling
Since then, AQIM and/or Al Murabitoun have been
operations, local “taxation” and extortion, and possibly aid
implicated in, or have claimed responsibility for, attacks
from supporters in Europe. In 2012, U.S. officials described
targeting French, Malian, and U.N. military forces, along
AQIM as the “best funded” Al Qaeda affiliate.
with Malian civilians. In early 2015, the U.S. intelligence
community told Congress in unclassified testimony that
The U.S government has not released a detailed
AQIM and its affiliates “will probably seek to increase the
unclassified assessment of Al Murabitoun’s size and
frequency and scale of attacks in northern Mali.”
capabilities, other than public statements referring to the
group’s “proven ability to organize complex attacks” (as
Mauritania. Between 2005 and 2009, AQIM carried out
noted above). Mokhtar bel Mokhtar and other leaders in the
multiple attacks on Mauritanian security forces and foreign
group have long been associated with kidnapping-for-
nationals in Mauritania (see below). In 2008, AQIM used
ransom, smuggling, and other criminal fundraising
small arms to attack the Israeli Embassy in the capital,
activities. Al Murabitoun may also receive funding and
Nouakchott. No fatalities were reported.
other support from other extremist groups.
Tunisia. In June 2014, AQIM claimed responsibility for an
Relationship with Al Qaeda and AQ
attack on the home of the then-Interior Minister of Tunisia,
Affiliates
in the western town of Kasserine. The following month, the
group’s media wing released a statement praising a Tunisia-
AQIM’s “union” with Al Qaeda was announced by Al
based militant group, the Okba Ibn Nafaa (alt: Uqbah Bin
Qaeda’s then-deputy leader Ayman al Zawahiri in 2006.
Nafi) Brigade.
The Obama Administration considers AQIM an Al Qaeda
“affiliate.” In July 2014, the group publicly reiterated its
Attacks against U.S. interests
pledge of allegiance to Zawahiri, who is now leader of Al
Qaeda. However, news reports suggest that the group’s
AQIM claimed responsibility for the 2009 murder in
members may be torn over whether to switch allegiance to
Mauritania of American citizen Christopher Leggett, who
the Islamic State, also known as ISIL or ISIS.
was reportedly conducting missionary work. State
Department officials stated that AQIM was linked to the
Al Murabitoun is a splinter faction of AQIM, an Al Qaeda
attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, on September
“affiliate.” In April 2014, Mokhtar bel Mokhtar swore
11, 2012, but did not detail its role. According to the State
allegiance to Zawahiri in the context of the split between Al
Department, AQIM has urged its supporters to attack U.S.
Zawahiri and the Islamic State.
embassies and kill U.S. ambassadors.


Alexis Arieff, aarieff@crs.loc.gov, 7-2459

IF10172
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