ATTACK ON CUSTOMS OFFICIALS SPARKS MAJOR OFFENSIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000722

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DS/IP/NEA, DS/ICI/CI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2016
TAGS: PTER ASEC AG
SUBJECT: ATTACK ON CUSTOMS OFFICIALS SPARKS MAJOR OFFENSIVE
AGAINST TERRORISTS


Classified By: Melissa Foynes, RSO Algiers: Reason (d)


1. (U) According to an April 10 article in the official
French daily El Moudjahid, corroborated by an announcement
from the Ministry of the Interior, an orchestrated terrorist
attack on Algerian Customs officials by the Group Salafist
for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) on April 7 sparked a major
offensive by Algerian security forces (ANP) to kill or
capture the perpetrators. The offensive resulted in a
two-day siege near Aflou, destroyed vehicles, captured
weapons, and inflicted many casualties. As of this report,
ANP forces continue operations to eliminate all remnants of
the group.


2. (U) The initial attack against a convoy of customs
officials traveling from Bechar to Ouargla killed thirteen
officials and wounded eight. The officials were on their way
to a regional meeting when they were attacked outside the
city of El Golea. Press reports indicate the convoy was a
target of opportunity for a heavily armed terrorist group of
20 or more members.


3. (SBU) The ANP, augmented by municipality guards,
self-defense forces and helicopter gunships, responded to the
attack and besieged the wilayas of El Aghouat and Ghardaia,
quickly identifying eight Toyota 4x4 vehicles as targets.
The destruction of the vehicles, laden with explosives, 50 KM
northeast of Hassi Chebaba resulted in two large explosions.
The ANP told us fifteen terrorists were killed and a large
cache of weapons was recovered. Other well-informed security
contacts have confirmed the accuracy of the press accounts
concerning the counter-attack and capture of arms. According
to ANP sources, the offensive will continue until the entire
group is eliminated.


4. (U) The following is a list by quantity of explosives and
weapons recovered:

(1) - 14.5mm heavy machine gun
(6) - RPG-7 rocket launchers
(1) - 60mm mortar
(4) - light machine guns
(59) - AK-47 assault rifles
(1) - rifle with telescope
(1) - heavy machine gun
(15) - pistols
(311)- chargers for different arms
(53) - mortar rounds
(1) - 12.7 HMG
(16) - cases of ammunition of varying caliber


5. (C) Comments: Embassy contacts confirm the accuracy of
the El Moudjahid article. This attack reinforces RSO
concerns regarding travel in remote areas outside the wilaya
of Algiers. Although the situation in the capital remains
calm, in outlying areas pockets of terrorists remain and the
security forces exercise less control. The timing of this
attack, in the final stages of President Bouteflika's
national reconciliation strategy, demonstrates the defiance
and boldness of the remaining terrorists who have refused to
lay down their arms and reintegrate into society. The
sophistication of the attack and the size of the cache of
weapons and explosives recovered revealed a well-equipped and
capable terrorist group. While Algeria has made much
progress in defeating terrorism as a strategic threat, this
attack is a reminder that the terrorist threat remains. The
success to date in eliminating the attackers, destroying
their vehicles and capturing their arm stores also attests to
the determination of Algerian security forces to neutralize
the remaining terrorist cells.
ERDMAN