Intelligence Traffic Indicates Al-Qaeda Affiliate In North Africa Wants To Conduct More Terror Operations

Al-Qaeda Affiliate In North Africa Said To Have Sights On Other Western Targets -- Washington Post

New intelligence on al-Qaeda’s affiliate in North Africa indicates that the militant group is seeking to carry out attacks on other Western targets in the region after its deadly assault on a natural gas complex in Algeria, senior U.S. intelligence officials said Thursday.

The push to mount follow-on strikes is seen as evidence that al-Qaeda was emboldened by the Jan. 16 raid and subsequent battle with Algerian security services that killed dozens of hostages and militants.

A senior U.S. intelligence official said that new streams of information have surfaced in the weeks since the assault and that “what we have seen is intelligence suggesting a desire to carry out more attacks.”

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My Comment: The desire to carry out more terror attacks is probably there, but in their attack on the Algerian gas complex a number of these terrorists were killed .... and the Algerian government showed no interest to negotiate. So any future attack in Algeria or in any other North African state will probably be a suicide attack .... and to find 20 or 30 men willing to do that is going to be an obstacle.

The Rise Of Islamic Militant Groups In Africa

The Ansar Dine militant group, which has seized the northern half of Mali, is thought to have links with al-Qaeda

Africa's Top Three Terror Groups Are Joining Forces To Mount Larger Attacks Against The West, Claims U.S. Military Commander -- Daily Mail

Africa is increasingly at risk from collaboration between three of the continent's most deadly terrorist groups, according to the leader of the U.S. military's Africa Command.

General Carter Ham said Al Qaeda, al Shabaab and Boko Haram are all combining efforts to share financial resources and exchange explosives.

The move risks endangering the delicate security balance in Africa.

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More News On The Growth Of Islamic Militant Groups In Africa

Africa's Islamist militants 'co-ordinate efforts' -- BBC
Africa's Islamist militants 'co-ordinate efforts in threat to continent's security' -- The Guardian
Africa militant groups training fighters together and sharing funds, explosives -- MSNBC/Reuters
African extremist groups linking up: U.S. general -- Chicago Tribune/Reuters
African Terrorist Groups Starting to Cooperate, U.S. Says -- Bloomberg
U.S. Africa Command Outlines Emerging Threats in the Region -- Ottawa Citizen/US Department of Defense

Main Islamist armed groups active in Africa:

* Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: Primarily active in Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger
* Boko Haram: Primarily active in northern Nigeria
* Al-Shabab: Primarily active in Somalia, has carried out attacks in Kenya

Terror Groups In Africa Are Starting To Work Together

Terror Collaboration In Africa Worries U.S. General -- Washington Times/AP

3 groups forming network in much of continent.

The general responsible for U.S. military operations in Africa said Wednesday he is worried that three terrorist groups based on the continent are attempting to share training and collaborate in other ways in pursuit of their goal of attacking the United States and other foreign targets.

Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, commander of U.S. Africa Command, told a group of reporters that each of the three - al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Somalia-based al-Shabab and Boko Haram - poses a “significant threat” not only in the areas in which they operate but also to the United States.

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My Comment: This news should not surprise anyone .... many parts of Africa are a perfect breeding ground for these groups, and they are taking advantage of these conditions. Large Muslim populations where many feel disenfranchised .... coupled with dysfunctional or failed governments .... what more can a terror leader wish or want for.