Highlights
– AOIM engages in kidnappings outside Algeria to gain ransom money and demand release of UK prisoner
– AOIM expands kidnapping and smuggling operations to Mali and Niger
– Ransom payments and spread of influence across African countries will lead to increase in terror attacks and Western kidnappings in the near to medium-term
On April 26, 2009, the al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb (AOIM) posted a statement on jihadist websites demanding the release of Abu Qatada, often described as “Osama bin Laden’s right-hand man in Europe,” and 20 other members held in Mali and other countries. The group threatened to kill a British hostage if their demands were not met within 20 days. The AOIM claims to have kidnapped the unidentified British man, along with three other Europeans, after local Tuareg ambushed their convoy near the border of Niger and Mali on January 22, 2009. Two of the four victims have been released for an undisclosed ransom.
The Algerian-based AOIM has engaged in a number of operations outside its traditional theater in recent months. Kidnapping Western tourists and diplomats in areas such as Niger, Mali, and Tunisia generates most of the group’s fundraising, bringing in millions of dollars in ransom since December 2008. A majority of the earnings have significantly contributed to the AOIM’s terrorist attacks against Algerian security forces and other government institutions at home.
As in previous AOIM kidnapping cases, we assess the group’s latest threat to kill the British tourist as credible. This threat will likely trigger ransom negotiations with the AOIM. We believe the group will continue to use kidnappings, along with arms and drug trafficking, in order to raise funds to continue the jihad in Algeria and North Africa.
Financing Attacks in Algeria
The AOIM commonly issues profitable death threats to achieve its goals. In February 2008 the organization conducted lengthy negotiations after kidnapping two Austrian tourists in Tunisia and transferring them to Mali . Although the group demanded US$8 million for their release, US$2 million was paid in October 2008 (Previous Report). The AOIM utilizes kidnapping ransoms to purchase weapons, explosive materials and ammunition to conduct attacks in Algeria.
More Western Kidnappings in Near-term
AOIM terrorist attacks are consistently supported by kidnapping operations targeting Westerners. No western hostages have died in recent kidnappings, an indicator that securing a ransom payment is too valuable for the AOIM to compromise.
We do not anticipate the AOIM will turn down a profitable ransom for the release of the British national. The group will likely continue to carry out kidnappings in Niger, Mali, and surrounding countries in the near to medium-term to sustain funding for the jihad in Algeria and North Africa.
