Bruce Crumley comments on the terror attack in Algiers today, and how it underscores the potent threat North African salafists pose also to Europe.
Death and destruction revisited the Algerian capital of Algiers Tuesday morning when a pair of powerful car bombs exploded, and claimed what early estimates placed as 62 lives. Though no claims of responsibility have been made, security experts say there's little doubt the attack was the work of al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), a group that formed an alliance with Osama bin Laden's global jihad in 2006. Officials say Tuesday's spectacular strike increases the risk that AQIM is ramping up its violent struggle to bring down the Algerian government. And as the fourth big hit by AQIM in less than a year, the incident highlights the group's increasing organizational skills and establishes it as the greatest potential terror threat to continental Europe as well.
AQIM is the old GSPC regrouped under the al-Qaeda banner. It appeared to be down for the count in 2004, but has since increased its strength and reach. Especially France is very vulnerable to AQIM infiltration for historical reasons, but with the continental EU essentially one passport-free zone, the threat is real for all of us.
However, while these Salafists can be prevented from attacking in Europe through security and intelligence work, they can only be successfully defeated in North Africa.
Walid Phares has more comments on this attack, including a discussion about the significance (or not) of this happening on the 11th (like 9/11 in the US or 3/11 in Madrid).
10:10:18 PM 
|
