Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is a militant organization active in North Africa and the Sahel. It emerged from Algeria’s civil war and became an al-Qaeda affiliate in 2007.

Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat: An Algerian Islamist armed group that became Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in 2007. AQIM adopted its name and al-Qaeda affiliation after emerging from this organization.
Jihadist insurgency in the Sahel: An armed conflict involving jihadist groups, governments, and international forces across the Sahel. AQIM became one of the organizations involved in the region’s expanding insurgency.
Abdelmalek Droukdel: An Algerian militant leader who headed AQIM until his death in 2020. Droukdel led AQIM through its transformation from an Algerian insurgency into a Sahelian network.
Insurgency in northern Mali: An armed conflict in northern Mali involving jihadist groups, separatists, the Malian state, and foreign forces. AQIM’s forces helped seize territory in northern Mali during the 2012 crisis.
Ansar Dine: A Malian jihadist group founded by Iyad ag Ghali in 2012. It was a distinct organization that cooperated with AQIM during the 2012 takeover in northern Mali.
Algerian Civil War: A conflict beginning in 1992 between Algeria’s government and armed Islamist groups. The civil war created the setting in which AQIM’s predecessor developed.
Kidnapping for ransom: The abduction of people to demand payment for their release. AQIM and allied groups used kidnappings as a source of funding and political leverage.
Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud: The nom de guerre used by AQIM leader Abdelmalek Droukdel. AQIM statements and reporting commonly identify Droukdel by this name.
In Amenas hostage crisis: A 2013 hostage-taking at a gas facility in Algeria that ended in a military assault and many deaths. The attackers were linked to a breakaway faction led by former AQIM commander Mokhtar Belmokhtar.
Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa: A jihadist group that split from AQIM in 2011 and operated in West Africa. Its breakaway origin makes it distinct from AQIM despite shared networks and tactics.

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