Mar 18th, 2016, 05:11 PM

Al Qaeda Makes a Deadly Comeback

By Alyssa Lyon
Image Credit: Youtube/TomoNewsUS
Has Africa has become the 'new front' in Islamist militancy?

The body count has risen to 18 in the wake of the most recent terrorist attack to hit West Africa on the thirteenth of March. This is the third attack within the past five months to take place in West Africa, all of which the Al Qaeda affiliate group, known as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, claims full responsibility for. 

AQIM's Orgins

The US military has stated that Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is one of the longest surviving Islamic militant factions currently in operation, originating initially as a guerilla Islamist movement known as the Armed Islamic Group (GIA). In 2006, GIA officially aligned with Al Qaeda and took on the name Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Alexis Arieff, a Congressional Research Service analyst, explains that "Adopting the famous name may have enhanced AQIM's legitimacy among extremists and facilitated recruitment, while enabling Al Qaeda to burnish its international credentials and, potentially, access a region geographically close to Europe."

​​Image Credit: Flickr/Magharebia

When the group was at the height of its power four years ago, AQIM controlled a remote northern area of Mali the size of Texas. However, when the group attempted to gain influence further south, the French military pushed them back to the desert where they suffered severe losses. This event, coupled with constant dissension, resulted in the loss of much of AQIM's control, influence, and original membership. In fact, many current ISIS militants were originally affiliated with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, including one of the suicide bombers that helped to carry out the recent attacks on Paris.

Historically, AQIM has been known for kidnapping Westerners and using the ransom money to fund their operations in North Africa. However, the group's most recent movements in West Africa seem to be mirroring the shocking 'soft target' tactics that have been used most infamously by their rival jihadist group, the Islamic State.

The Attacks

Ivory Coast terrorist attack: al Qaeda gunmen open fire at beach resorts, killing 16 - TomoNews

Image Credit: Youtube/TomoNewsUS

The string of recent attacks carried out by AQIM began in November when members of the group took 170 people hostage in a luxury hotel in Mali, resulting in the death of 21 people. Two months later, AQIM assaulted a hotel and small cafe in Burkina Faso, leaving 28 dead and another 56 injured. Finally, this past Sunday, AQIM members stormed the beaches of several hotels in the former French colonial capital, Grand-Bassam, located on the Ivory Coast. This most recent attack left at least 18 people dead and 33 injured. In each attack, AQIM has targeted hotels known to be populated by Westerners and 'westernized' local elite. Officials believe hotels are often the targets of jihadist attacks as they are typically filled with individuals that can be easily depicted as "western sympathizers."

In a report that was recently released in four different languages, Al Qaeda makes the claim that the attacks were carried out as revenge against the Ivory Coast for handing over prisoners to Mali. The group states that the siege was part of its continuing "plan to target the dens of the crusaders and locations of their gatherings." Additionally, according to the translation made by the SITE Intelligence Group, AQIM states, "We repeat our call to all countries involved in the French invasion of Mali to withdraw from this satanic alliance."

What is causing the recent increase of jihadist violence in Africa?

Upon considering recent events, experts claim that the long-existing rivalry between the Islamic State and Al Qaeda is one of the main reasons for the escalating violence in both North and West Africa. As ISIS continues to gain power and international recognition, officials worry that rival jihadist groups will increase their bloodshed in order to stay relevant and gain recruits. In light of this concern, the attacks in West Africa have been understood as the backdrop of an ongoing struggle between radical Islamist groups. 

It can be seen as no coincidence that the first 'ISIS-like' attack to be carried out by AQIM in West Africa was just one week after the Islamic State killed 130 people in Paris. With the rise of ISIS, Al Qaeda must orchestrate high impact attacks if it wants to maintain its financial and recruiting power.

Image Credit: Flickr/USArmyAfrica

Where will AQIM strike next?

Officials worry that this seems to be a rapidly developing pattern in West Africa while many locals claim that the recent attacks have left numerous countries on edge over who will be targeted next. Authorities are not positive where AQIM will carry out its next attack, however, many agree that Senegal is likely high on the group's hit list. Nick Piper, the director of Signal Risk, recently stated that, "AQIM's demonstrated ability to stage so-called spectacular attacks against expat-frequented targets in Francophone centers, in countries of relative stability, in recent months has doubtless increased the risk faced by Senegal." 

While Senegal has enjoyed a period of stability over the past few years, including multiple successful democratic elections, unemployment rates remain high for the country's youth — a situation which typically draws jihadist groups who are looking for new recruits. Ms. Burton, a witness of the recent AQIM attack on the Ivory Coast, reflected that, "People don't have an option to make their life a success, so they turn to violence because they don't know what else to do." 

Officials are currently urging Senegal, in addition to several other West African countries, to step up their security measures in preparation for possible terrorist attacks. Unfortunately, it looks as if the recent trend of mass violence will only increase as Al Qaeda, the Islamic State, and other rival jihadist groups compete to make deadly names for themselves.

Below is a video taken at the scene of the most recent terrorist attack on the Ivory Coast:

Footage shows people running Grand-Bassam Ivory Coast Attack 13-03-2016

Image Credit: Youtube/AU3