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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAS #0121/01 0421144
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 111144Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8421
INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE
RUEHBP/AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 1073
RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY 2010

UNCLAS ALGIERS 000121 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA, DS, DS/DSS, SDERCC, S/CT, S/ES-O, DS/ICI/PII, 
DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/FPO, NEA/EX. NEA/MAG 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PTER PINS ASEC PGOV SNAR AG
SUBJECT:  DECEMBER 2009 SUMMARY OF TERRORIST AND SIGNIFICANT 
SECURITY INCIDENTS 
 
REF:  Algiers 00105 
 
¶1. (SBU) INTRODUCTION:  This cable is a summary of major 
security-related activities, terrorist threats, and incidents for 
Algeria during the month of December 2009.  The information was 
obtained from open sources, news reports, and RSO police contacts. 
Press-based information should not be taken as exact or definitive, 
but can be used to track countrywide patterns and trends.  Reported 
activities are maintained in a master database utilized by the RSO 
in formulating guidelines for life safety and travel within Algeria. 
 Please note that Algerian media frequently still refer to al-Qa'ida 
in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) by its previous name, the Salafist 
Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC).  End introduction. 
 
¶2. (U) Terrorist-specific trends: 
 
The Algerian government and the media consider 2009 the least 
violent year for terrorist attacks since the beginning of the 
conflict in 1992.  While the Algerian police (DGSN) and the 
Gendarmerie Nationale have proven their effectiveness in killing and 
arresting terrorist cell members and in dismantling terrorist 
support networks, the sequence of events described below in 
paragraph 3 demonstrate AQIM's continuing ability to infiltrate the 
capital, in spite of heavy police deployment, and to conduct 
reconnaissance in close proximity to the U.S. Embassy. 
 
Support for AQIM declined further in 2009, and its capabilities to 
successfully execute attacks appear to have diminished.  The 
majority of strikes reported in 2009 were limited to ambushes, false 
road blocks, and IEDs in the northern part of the country. 
Nonetheless, the overall number of incidents reported that were 
attributed to or involved AQIM remained relatively high. 
 
There was a surge in drug-trafficking activities in Algeria in 2009, 
particularly in areas along the coast and in cities close to the 
Moroccan border.  Some experts believe narco-trafficking is a 
significant source of revenue for AQIM to fund its terrorist 
operations. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The following series of inter-related AQIM terrorist 
activities occurred in the city of Algiers during the month of 
December: 
 
December 1: 
 
Algerian police (DGSN) arrested Abou Zaid el-Katami, alias Abou Zaid 
el-Jijli, age 35, from the wilaya (province) of Jijel, and Abou 
Serraka Samir, age 28.  According to the DGSN, both individuals were 
active members of al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb's al-Fath 
battalion, or "Katibet al-Fath," operating in AQIM's Central Zone 
(Kabylie).  During their interrogations both individuals revealed 
their surveillance activities against the American and British 
embassies and the existence of a number of wanted terrorists 
currently operating in the capital city of Algiers.  The terrorists 
confessed that AQIM was seeking to undertake spectacular suicide 
operations in the capital during Algeria's Revolution Day 
celebrations.  Algerian law enforcement advised the U.S. Embassy to 
tighten up physical security, especially the Ambassador's 
motorcades. 
 
Police discovered that the AQIM cell had been operating close to 
DGSN headquarters and other sensitive areas in the city, posing as a 
trader selling fabric in Place des Martyrs (Sahat El Chouhadaa). 
The fabric shop was located approximately 200 meters from the 
General Directorate for National Security (DGSN).  Abou Zaid 
confessed that the two of them were tasked with surveilling DGSN 
headquarters and both American and British diplomatic movements. 
 
December 4 and 5: 
 
Police informed the RSO that suspected terrorists from AQIM Katibet 
al-Fath were seen in the locality of Avenue La Glaciere in 
Bachdjarah precinct, a 10-minute drive east of the U.S. Embassy. 
The following day, the suspects escaped an ambush set up by security 
services. 
 
During this same timeframe, EOD teams defused an IED discovered in 
the neighborhood of Bab el-Oued (approximately 4 miles from the U.S. 
Embassy). 
 
December 8: 
Law enforcement personnel reported tracking the movements of 
terrorist suspects Abdelkrim Arfiche (aka Abou Mouaad) and M. Samir 
in the Bachdjarah and Baraki neighborhoods of Algiers. 
 
December 11: 
 
Police arrested nine individuals from AQIM Katibet al-Fath.  The 
group was believed to be operating in locations around Algiers city, 
including Bab el-Oued, Bab Ezouar, el-Harrach, Bachdjarah, and 
Hydra.  Two individuals were on the Algerian police most wanted 
list:  Abu Aymen Oussama, 19 years old, and Abu Abdessami, 30 years 
old. 
 
December 14: 
 
Police arrested six individuals charged with funding AQIM 
operations. 
 
December 20: 
 
National police conducted a series of raids and arrests in the 
Algiers neighborhoods of Bachdjarah and Bourouba, rounding up the 
entire cell.  Combined security services also conducted 
counter-terrorism operations along the western and southern borders 
of Algiers city, as well as aggressive counter-terrorism campaigns 
within Algiers, to include the suburbs of Zeralda, Mahelma, Tessala 
El Merdja, and Baba Ali. Security services also dismantled several 
terrorist support networks in the city. 
 
 
Nationwide Monthly Totals for December 2009: 
 
Security forces killed:  5 
Kidnappings:  2 
Bombs:  exploded 8 / defused 3 
False road blocks:  1 
Civilians killed:  1 
Civilians injured:  1 
Terrorists killed:  16 
Terrorists injured:  2 
Terrorists surrendered:  5 
Terrorists arrested:  80 
 
¶4. (U) DETAILS:  Below please find detailed local news reports of 
select terrorist/security-related incidents nationwide throughout 
the month of December. 
 
December 1: 
 
- Algiers:  The Gendarmerie Nationale recovered 28 kilos of hashish 
after its discovery at the port of Algiers. 
 
- Boumerdes:  Nine suspects involved in supporting terrorist 
battalions al-Ansar and al-Arkam were arrested. 
 
December 2: 
 
- Two terrorists were killed, one injured, and two Kalashnikov 
rifles recovered after a military ambush in the village of Tagnit. 
 
 
- Mostaganem:  Ninety kilos of hashish were seized and 53 
individuals were arrested in drug raids. 
 
- Skikda:  Security forces conducted a large sweeping operation in 
the Koufi Mountains, destroying one terrorist hideout. 
 
- Tipaza:  A terrorist cell of approximately 20 individuals attacked 
the inhabitants of the Sidi Abdellah village.  One citizen was 
killed and two wounded in the raid. 
 
December 4: 
 
- Biskra:  The Biskra criminal court sentenced seven members of AQIM 
accused of planning a terrorist attack against a U.S. oil company in 
Hassi Messaoud.  One individual was sentenced to 20 years in prison. 
 Six others were sentenced to six years, and seven were released. 
 
- Dellys:  Security forces recovered the remains of a suspected 
terrorist. 
 
- Timgad:  Gendarmerie forces arrested a 48-year-old suspected 
weapons smuggler.  Police recovered ammunition, five automatic 
pistols, 30 ammunition cartridges, three shotguns, a grenade, and 
1.5 kilos of black powder. 
 
December 5: 
 
- Boumerdes:  Army troops supported by counterterrorism units began 
 
a full-scale operation southeast of Boumerdes to search for a 
suspected terrorist training camp. 
 
- Algiers:  Two customs directors involved in an international 
network specializing in auto theft and the forgery of vehicle 
registration documents were arrested at the port of Algiers. 
 
- Jijel:  Army troops killed one terrorist in an ambush and 
recovered one Kalashnikov rifle. 
 
December 6: 
 
- Tindouf:  Drug traffickers from Morocco attempted to smuggle 540 
kilos of cannabis via two Toyota station wagons.  Gendarmerie 
officers intercepted the smugglers after they crossed the border. 
One vehicle was seized along with the cannabis.  However, the drug 
traffickers managed to escape. 
 
- Annaba:  Riots occurred over housing, and 12 rioters were 
arrested. 
 
December 7: 
 
- Boumerdes:  Army troops conducted a sweeping operation and 
destroyed a terrorist hideout.  Several IEDs were defused. 
 
- Tizi Ouzou:  Police arrested a 23-year-old who was believed to be 
providing material support to AQIM elements. 
 
- Tizi Ouzou:  A gas station manager from the Ait Toudert 
municipality (40 km southeast of Tizi Ouzou) was kidnapped by armed 
bandits.  The victim was released a few hours later after the 
kidnappers received a ransom. 
 
- Tlemcen:  Gendarmerie officers arrested three individuals 
suspected of drug trafficking.  Police also seized 15 Kilos of 
cannabis. 
 
- Bouira:  Four terrorists and two military officers were killed 
during a search operation in the Tamelaht Forest.  Four Kalashnikov 
rifles and an automatic pistol were also recovered. 
 
- Constantine:  A terrorist surrendered to the national police. 
 
- Batna:  Police arrested six family members working in the 
agriculture sector for providing material support to a terrorist 
network. 
 
- Boumerdes:  One terrorist was killed by security forces during a 
night operation.  A Kalashnikov rifle and ammunition were also 
recovered. 
 
- Blida:  Police arrested eight individuals, all of whom were 
traders in Bab el-Rahba market, for allegedly providing material 
support to AQIM. 
 
- Jijel:  Police reported that AQIM kidnapped two security guards. 
The terrorist group later released one of the victims.  Security 
forces launched a search operation. 
 
December 9: 
 
- Tamanrasset:  The Judicial Police conducted an anti-terrorist 
operation to track three wanted terrorists from Mali who had escaped 
a military ambush.  This operation took place along the Algerian and 
Malian borders. 
 
- Jijel: Army troops launched a search operation to find a terrorist 
who had been seriously wounded in a military ambush.  A second 
terrorist was killed and one Kalashnikov rifle recovered. 
 
- Tizi Ouzou:  Army troops defused an IED discovered in Ighil 
Oumenchar prior to detonation. 
 
- Boumerdes:  Decurity forces killed a terrorist during an 
counter-terrorism operation in Sahel Bouberak.  A Kalashnikov rifle 
was also recovered. 
 
December 13: 
 
- Sidi Bel Abbes:  A businessman (B. Hamza) was killed and eight 
rifles were stolen by suspected terrorist elements in the forest of 
el-Daia. 
 
- Tizi Ouzou:  Army troops discovered a terrorist hideout in Ait 
 
Chafaa and destroyed weapons, food supplies, and a medical clinic. 
 
- Jijel:  Security forces killed M. Harid, alias Adel Ouahed, wanted 
for terrorist activities. 
 
- Tizi Ouzou:  Army troops conducted an anti-terrorist operation and 
discovered two fields of cannabis. 
 
- Skikda:  Gendarmerie officers arrested two suspects who 
specialized in smuggling explosive products from Tunisia. 
 
- Mostaganem:  The Algerian Coast Guard rescued 11 illegal 
immigrants off the coast of Mostaganem in western Algeria.  The 
Coast Guard continued to conduct search and rescue operations for 16 
still missing. 
 
- Skikda:  Military forces reported the discovery of an AQIM safe 
house where ammunition, police uniforms, and explosives were 
recovered.  Resources were believed to be those of AQIM's al-Fath 
battalion. 
 
- M'Sila: The el-Moudjahiddine battalion of the terrorist group DHDS 
claimed responsibility for killing two policemen.  In a communique, 
battalion leader Abou Koutada el-Afghani claimed responsibility for 
the attack. 
 
- Tlemcen:  Security forces launched a full-scale operation in the 
mountains of Tadjmout after a group of six terrorist suspects killed 
a citizen at a false roadblock.  Witnesses reported that the six 
individuals, who were wearing military uniforms and armed with 
Kalashnikov weapons, forced drivers to hand over their money. 
 
- Oran:  Gendarmerie officials arrested two drug traffickers in 
possession of 18.5 kilos of cannabis. 
 
- Boumerdes:  Gendarmerie defused an IED while conducting a 
full-scale operation in the Mezrana Forest. 
 
December 18: 
 
- M'Sila:  Abu Lokmane el-Hakim was killed along with three others 
during a sweep by security forces.  Three Kalashnikov rifles were 
recovered. 
 
- Chlef:  Gendarmerie officials raided a suspected weapons 
manufacturing plant, arrested five people, and recovered black 
powder along with other materials used in weapons manufacturing. 
 
- Batna:  Gendarmerie officers successfully thwarted a terrorist 
ambush.  Terrorists attempted to ambush the patrol by initiating 
roadside bombs followed by small arms fire.  No causalities were 
reported. 
 
December 19: 
 
- Ain Defla:  Army troops came under attack during an anti-terrorist 
operation against a suspected terrorist cell in the area.  An army 
spokesperson reported that one IED was diffused, one terrorist was 
killed, and a weapon was recovered. 
 
- Mostaganem:  Twenty-two kilos of cannabis were discovered at 
Sonactel Beach east of Mostaganem.  National gendarmerie officials 
stated that in the same region, 60 kg of cannabis were also found on 
Hadjadj Beach. 
 
- M'sila:  Four terrorists were killed by security forces.  The four 
individuals were intercepted during sweep operations.  Police stated 
that the individuals belonged to an AQIM cell based in the area. 
 
December 22: 
 
- Hassi Messaoud:  Gendarmerie officers arrested four individuals 
suspected of stealing cars.  Automatic pistols and binoculars were 
also recovered.  Police stated that the individuals were part of a 
vehicle theft operation targeting foreign oil companies' 4x4 
vehicles.  One arrested suspect was a driver for the Italian company 
Saipam.  The Gendarmerie recovered two Toyota 4x4 vehicles and a sum 
of 89,000 Algerian dinars (approximately USD 1271). 
 
- Tizi Ouzou:  The driver of the AQIM el-Farouk battalion leader was 
arrested. 
 
- Tlemcen:  Border guards seized more than 146 kilos of cocaine 
during a sweep operation. 
 
December 24: 
 
- Oran:  Security forces raided a suspected drug house, arrested one 
Moroccan, and seized approximately 32 kilos of hashish. 
 
- Boumerdes:  Member of AQIM Bouzbid Hassan was killed during a 
military operation. 
 
- Jijel:  A combined security forces anti-terrorism operation killed 
11 terrorists and recovered ten Kalashnikov rifles and 3,000 rounds 
of ammunition. 
 
- Constantine:  Gendarmerie officers dismantled two criminal gangs 
that specialized in car trafficking. 
 
- Ain Timouchent:  Police seized 500 kilos of hashish during a drug 
operation. 
 
- Bouira:  Four armed individuals wearing Afghan clothing attacked 
the village of el-Adjiba.  One police officer was assaulted.  The 
armed suspects successfully fled the village. 
 
- Jijel:  The chief of the municipal guard of Ouled Boufeha was 
killed in a bomb blast, and four other military officers were 
injured.  The roadside bomb exploded when a mixed squad of municipal 
guards and military officers were patrolling the area. 
 
- Constantine:  Three individuals were arrested and charged with the 
armed robbery and murder of a postal official.  Eight hundred 
million centimes (approximately USD 114.3 thousand) were recovered 
from the original 920 million centimes (approximately USD 131.4 
thousand) that had been stolen. 
 
December 25: 
 
- Medea:  Security forces destroyed a strategic terrorist hideout 
and seized a large quantity of weapons and munitions. 
 
- Tizi Ouzou:  An IED targeting police exploded in Yakouren Forest. 
No casualties were reported. 
 
- Boumerdes:  Two IEDs exploded next to a police checkpoint.  Two 
officers were wounded. 
 
- Tlemcen:  A drug trafficker was arrested in possession of 16 
billion centimes (approximately USD 2.3 million). 
 
December 26: 
 
- Jijel:  A roadside bomb exploded, killing a municipal guard and 
wounding three military officers. 
 
- Tlemcen:  Gendarmerie officers and regional customs officers 
seized a Renault Escape containing 718 kilos of hashish. 
 
December 27: 
 
- Tipaza:  Security forces killed two terrorists and recovered their 
weapons. 
 
- Bechar:  Gendarmerie officers intercepted a drug smuggling 
operation, recovering 43 kilos of hashish and one pistol. 
 
December 28: 
 
- Boumerdes:  A terrorist was killed and his weapon recovered during 
a military operation. 
 
- Jijel:  Security forces destroyed several AQIM safehavens and 
recovered ammunition during a full-scale anti-terrorist operation. 
 
- Tizi Ouzou (Yakouren Forest):  A security forces patrol was hit by 
an IED, but no casualties were reported.  A second IED was defused. 
 
 
- Lakhdaria:  Two military officers were injured after an IED 
exploded. 
 
- Moroccan Border:  Algerian customs and border guards seized 3,000 
kg of hashish and recovered two stolen vehicles during a drug raid 
operation. 
 
- Ain Timouchent:  Gendarmerie officers recovered five kilos of 
hashish, which were discovered in an abandoned Citroen Xsara 
vehicle. 
 
 
- Chlef:  Thirty kilos of hashish were discovered on the beach of 
Tenes. 
 
- Bechar:  Border officers seized 300 kilos of hashish and recovered 
one weapon and two vehicles. 
 
- Bejaia:  The Gendarmerie arrested three individuals suspected in a 
string of jewelry store burglaries. 
 
- Boumerdes:  One IED exploded during a security forces 
anti-terrorist operation in Ain el-Hamra.  No causalities were 
reported.