Armed Islamic Group
Center of Gravity | Algeria | ||
![]() | Scope | Regional | |
Area of Operation | France | ||
![]() | Status | Supported by al-Qaeda | |
Status | Designated Terrorist Organization | ||
![]() | Core membership | 1003 | |
![]() | Alias(es) | Gamaa al-Islamiya, AIG1, GIA2, Al-Jama'ah al-Islamiyah al-Musallah3, Groupement Islamique Arme3 | |
Key members | Qaricept al Jizaeri | ||
Formed | 1992 | ||
![]() | Narrative and Notes (Reliable) | The group began violent activity in 1992 after Algeria's military government cancelled elections to forestall a victory by the country's largest Islamic opposition party. It is believed the group has killed tens of thousands of Algerians and scores of foreigners. It has not conducted an attack since August 2001. A possible offshoot, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, appears to have picked up the banner and has picked up attacks in the region since 2003.3 | |
Sources and Notes | |||
1U.S. government shorthand. | |||
2French government shorthand. | |||
3U.S. State Department. 'Country Reports on Terrorism' 2005. | |||
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Page maintained by John Lumpkin | |||
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