Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present)

Quick Facts: Who was Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present)?

Subject:

Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present)

Known for:

A complex Sunni Islamist insurgency spanning North Africa since the Algerian Civil War.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

An Islamist insurgency is taking place in the Maghreb region of North Africa, followed on from the end of the Algerian Civil War in 2002. The Algerian militant group Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) allied itself with al-Qaeda to eventually become al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The Algerian and other Maghreb governments fighting the militants have worked with the United States and the United Kingdom since 2007, when Operation Enduring Freedom – Trans Sahara began. While the 2011 Arab Spring affected support for the insurgency, it also presented military opportunities for the jihadists. In 2012, AQIM and Islamist allies captured the northern half of Mali.

Career & Major Achievements

They held the territory for almost a year, until being forced out of the urban areas during a French-led foreign intervention, which was succeeded by the Sahel-wide Operation Barkhane. In Libya, the Islamic State was able to control some limited territory during the Second Libyan Civil War, amid allegations of local collaboration with its AQIM rival. With the decline of the Armed Islamic Group of Algeria (GIA), the GSPC was left as the most active rebel group, with about 300 fighters in 2003. It continued an assassination campaign of police and army personnel in its area, and also managed to expand into the Sahara, where its southern division, led by Amari Saifi (nicknamed "Abderrezak el-Para", the "paratrooper"), kidnapped a number of German tourists in 2003, before being forced to flee to sparsely populated areas of Mali, and later Niger and Chad, where he was captured. Some believe that el-Para actually works for the Algerian government.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

By late 2003, the group's founder had been supplanted by the even more radical Nabil Sahraoui, who announced his open support for al-Qaeda, thus strengthening government ties between the U.S. and Algeria. He was reportedly killed shortly afterwards, and was succeeded by Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud in 2004. The GSPC has declared its intention to attack Algerian, 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. The conflict with the GSPC continued to result in a significant number of casualties in Algeria, with over 1,100 killed in clashes with Islamist rebels in 2002.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2002: 2002 Milestone — An Islamist insurgency is taking place in the Maghreb region of North Africa, followed on from the end of the Algerian Civil War in 2002.
2. 2003: 2003 Milestone — With the decline of the Armed Islamic Group of Algeria (GIA), the GSPC was left as the most active rebel group, with about 300 fighters in 2003.
3. 2004: 2004 Milestone — He was reportedly killed shortly afterwards, and was succeeded by Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud in 2004.
4. 2007: 2007 Milestone — The Algerian and other Maghreb governments fighting the militants have worked with the United States and the United Kingdom since 2007, when Operation Enduring Freedom – Trans Sahara began.
5. 2011: 2011 Milestone — While the 2011 Arab Spring affected support for the insurgency, it also presented military opportunities for the jihadists.
6. 2012: 2012 Milestone — In 2012, AQIM and Islamist allies captured the northern half of Mali.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present)

True or False: “The initial major attack spillover from the Algerian conflict occurred in Mauritania in 2005.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The GSPC attacked the Mauritanian army base at Lemgheity in June 2005, marking an early direct spillover of the conflict.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abba Eban — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Adolph Green — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): American lyricist and playwright known for his long-running, witty partnership with Betty Comden.
• Al Oerter — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw, pioneering athletic consistency.
• Albert Ellis — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Pioneering figure in psychotherapy, founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
• Al Davis — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): Pioneering NFL executive and coach, known for building the legendary Oakland Raiders.
• Alan Rubin — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): American musician known for playing trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet.
• Adam Yauch — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• Adrienne Rich — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Influential American poet, essayist, and leading voice in feminist literary discourse.
• Alberto Sordi — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• Alija Izetbegović — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Bosnian politician, Islamic philosopher, and author who led Bosnia through its tumultuous independence.

Frequently Asked Questions about Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present)