Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 4 - Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)

Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb

Aka:  AQIM; GSPC; Le Groupe Salafiste Pour la Predication et le Combat; Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat; Salafist Group for Call and Combat; Tanzim al-Qa’ida fi Bilad al-Maghrib al-Islamiya.

Description:  The Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC) was designated as an FTO on March 27, 2002.  The Department of State amended the GSPC designation in 2008, after the GSPC officially joined with al-Qa’ida in 2006, and AQIM became the primary name of the group.  Although AQIM remained largely a regionally focused terrorist group, it had adopted a more anti-Western rhetoric and ideology.  The group aspired to overthrow “apostate” African regimes and create an Islamic state.  Following the death of AQIM leader Abdelmalek Droukdel, killed in 2020 by French forces, the group chose Abu Ubaydah Yusuf al-Anabi as Droukdel’s successor.

Activities:  AQIM did not claim responsibility for any attacks in 2024.

Strength:  AQIM was estimated to have up to a few hundred fighters.

Location/Area of Operation:  Algeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Libya, Mali, and Tunisia.

Funding and External Aid:  AQIM members engaged in kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities to finance their operations.

Associated documents