January
31, 2007: The government is increasing the use of anti-terrorist ads, including
appeals for tips about suspected terrorist activity. The growing number
of such tips, over the past few years, has led to many arrests of Islamic
terrorists. As a result, the last few hundred of these terrorists are mainly
out in the countryside, where few civilians can spot them.
January
30, 2007: Some 400 kilometers east of the capital, clashes between troops and
Islamic terrorists have left five soldiers and ten terrorists dead. The army
and police are constantly patrolling rural areas in eastern Algeria, seeking
the remote camps where the few remaining al Qaeda terrorists hide out.
January
28, 2007: Over the weekend, there were several clashes 500 kilometers east of
the capital, leaving one policeman and one terrorist dead. At least one al
Qaeda terrorist was wounded as well.
January
27, 2007: The GSPC (Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat), the primary
Islamic terrorist organization in Algeria, has officially changed its name to
Al Qaeda (or the Al Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb). The
Maghreb is the Arabic word for North Africa. This recognizes several new
realities. First, GSPC leadership can no longer operate from Algeria. There are
too few members left in the country, and too many police and irate citizens out
looking for Islamic terrorists. Second, the GSPC leadership has dispersed to
several European and Arab countries, where it now works with many
non-Algerians. Since GSPC is associated with an Algerian organization, it makes
sense to adopt a more international name.
January
23, 2007: Roadside bombs are becoming more popular with Islamic terrorists in
Algeria, as one went off 360 kilometers east of the capital, killing a soldier
and wounding eight others. The police believe GSPC terrorists planted the bomb,
and set it off.
