Algeria: Islamic State terrorist cell located in the south

An Algerian soldier from the base of Bordj Badji Mokhtar is said to have died during the Sunday attack in the south of the country (illustration image) REUTERS / Louafi Larbi

Text by: RFI Follow

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility on Tuesday February 11 for a terrorist attack which took place on Sunday February 9 against an Algerian military base, at Bordj Badji Mokhtar, in the south of the country, on the border with Mali.

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A suicide bomber in a vehicle detonated his explosives when he attempted to enter Bordj Badji Mokhtar's base, killing a soldier, according to Algerian authorities. Algeria had not known an attack for years.

The south of the country had been an area where Aqmi's influence was felt for several years, but for almost six months, a new terrorist cell had been established. An Islamic State cell from Libya.

According to several sources in the region, the attack on the Bordj base is in retaliation for an anti-terrorist operation carried out several months ago by the Algerian army against the Islamic State group towards the village of Taoundart, at the border with Mali. Aboubacar ould Abidine, one of the IS leaders in the region, was reportedly killed there.

This IS unit was recently installed in the south of Algeria, between Timiaouine and Tinzaouten. Its leaders are foreigners from Libya. Observers on the spot estimate that the number of combatants is around fifty. Some were reportedly recruited from the ranks of the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, thanks to internal dissensions.

It is difficult today to know what the agenda of this new unit for the region is. According to a security analyst, the attack on Sunday may serve to manifest itself to the new Algerian authorities, who are trying to get involved in the settlement of regional crises like Libya or the Sahel. This information is in any case taken very seriously by the French intelligence services.

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  • Algeria
  • EI
  • Terrorism

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