Alarming Security Situation

The U.S. and E.U. Focus on Mali

These threats are of particular concern, as this area of Africa focuses on developing events in Libya.

In an advisory newsletter, the U.S. has advised its nationals to avoid visiting Mali following serious terrorist threats there. No doubt, Americans fear attacks and kidnappings.

In a similar vein, the European Union has categorized the Saharan strip close to Yemen as a zone of low resistance to terrorist threat, proof that this area of the globe is currently under careful scrutiny by the world powers.

This surge of interest in the Saharan coast is explained by the fact that it has become a safe haven for al-Qaida forces. Lately, the nebulous al-Qaeda has concentrated many of its supporters in this area.

According to Algerian security sources, the precariousness of the situation has reached such alarming levels, particularly in those countries of weak resistance where al-Qaeda has managed to settle, that the maximal level of alert has been announced. Those countries include those of the Saharan Strip, as well as Somalia, heavily torn by endless conflicts, and Yemen, which is notorious for being a terrorist nucleus.

The logic applied by al-Qaeda terrorists aims at provoking spectacular instability in order to protect its own future interests. The reality, according to our sources, is all the more sad because we must be aware that such threats are real and serious. Suspicious troop movements have been detected in the area and the threat is targeting Mali in particular. Although it may sound paradoxical, the threats posed in an Islamic site suggest that Bin Laden – al-Qaeda’s top man – is preparing a surprise, coinciding with Touareg tribes joining anti-terrorist efforts.

The role played by Algeria in the rapprochement of ideas between the Touareg and the government of Mali has been a decisive one, and this effort is to bear fruit soon. Already, many Touareg tribes that had been in armed conflict with the authorities have sided with the government in the framework of anti-terrorist efforts, particularly in helping implement the Saharan Strip development plan.

Algeria is openly supporting Mali in fighting terrorism. Our country has even sent help in the form of military aid, but without directly involving troops. A military source well informed in security matters confirmed this: “The counter terrorist fight will be fought on our soil and nowhere else.” Algerian military authorities are under close scrutiny for any slip and are particularly careful to avoid mingling in the internal affairs of other countries, even if such countries neighbor Algeria. “Algeria will always limit its intervention to within its borders,” added the same source.

Such magnitude of mobilization against the terrorist nebula is a serious cause for concern for al-Qaida, whose interests are currently threatened in this haven. Threats from al-Qaida against this distressed zone come at a time when this part of Africa is focused on what is happening in Libya. The spectacular festival celebrating the 40th anniversary of Khaddafi’s coup has attracted international attention on Libya, a country which happens to not be too far from the Saharan Strip. By the same token, threats against Mali further enhance the focus on the region.