Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb Strikes Again

On 22 February 2008, two Austrian tourists disappeared from southern Tunisia. On March 10, al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for their kidnapping. In return for the liberation of the Austrian hostages, now believed to be held in northern Mali, AQIM demanded the release of fellow mujahideen from prison, as well as a ransom. This incident, which has received little attention in Western media, is significant as an illustration of the current state of the main Islamist network in North Africa and how it has changed throughout the last few years. It sheds light on the general escalation of insurgent violence in the Maghreb, and demonstrates how AQIM has resorted to new operational tactics, partly as a result of its need for financial resources. The incident also illustrates a de facto regional expansion of the AQIM, as well as the group’s international aspirations.