Algerian Offensive Against Al Qaeda Continues

According to an August 3 report in Asharq al-Awsat, Algeria's security services are pursuing a new strategy to weaken Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Instead of focusing exclusively on "launching military operations with heavy weapons against the terrorists' strongholds," as stated by one senior Algerian security official,

• The security services are placing leaders under heavy surveillance, pursueing every movement and gather information about their movements.
• This is what AQIM has been doingt prepare to kill army and police people in Algeria.
• This strategy will "eliminate their influence on less important members who fear being killed at their [AQIM's leaders] hands if they abandon armed actions."

Source: Jamestown Foundation

• According to security sources cited by the El Khabar, al-Qaeda had formed a warfare training camp in the region.
• Security services estimate that there are approximately 100 armed fighters in the area.
  Three al-Qaeda members were killed near the town of El Affroun in Blida, El Watan reported over the weekend.
• In separate operations which began last week, the army surrounded armed terrorist groups in Ath Wassif and the Tizi Nkoulane Mountains in Tizi Ouzou province, Ech Chourouk reported.
• The paper quoted security services as saying the operation is ongoing and that army forces have used helicopters to destroy seven terrorist strongholds in less than 20 hours.
• In the large-scale military operation in the Sidi Ali Bounab Mountains in Boumerdès, the army is working together with mine-clearing teams to advance upon the al-Qaeda fighters.

Source: Magharebia