LATEST AQIM VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS DROUKDAL AND A

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ALGIERS 001648

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/11/2017
TAGS: PTER PINS ASEC AG
SUBJECT: LATEST AQIM VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS DROUKDAL AND A
COMPLEX ATTACK

REF: A. ALGIERS 1468

B. ALGIERS 1091

C. ALGIERS 1264

Classified By: Classified by CDA, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton; reasons 1.4
(b),(d).


1. (C) Summary: Although the latest AQIM web video, "The
Battle of Akroun," displays use of some new tactics by the
terrorist organization, the underlying message remains the
same. Higher-quality video than in previous postings
features the late AQIM field commander Sofiane Fassila and
AQIM leader Abu Mousab Abdel Wadoud (aka Droukdal) together,
creating the impression of a united and coordinated front
better capable of recruiting followers. The new video tries
to show improved coordination and planning among AQIM
katibats (units),but it does not indicate that AQIM has
changed its targets or weaponry. Footage of an attack in
Akroun in the midst of civilian houses appears to demonstrate
a bolder AQIM approach and a diminished regard for civilian
casualties. At the same time, it is not clear that the
alleged attack on Akroun even occurred. Whether it did or
not, AQIM clearly has an eye on increasing recruitment by
producing slick new web videos. END SUMMARY.

DROUKDAL: I AM STILL IN COMMAND
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2. (U) On September 21, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
(AQIM) posted a new video on the official AQIM website
(www.qmagreb.org) and distributed it to various jihadist
websites, such as Al-boraq
(www.alboraq.info/forumdisplay.php),that post AQIM videos.
The video features Droukdal inspecting his fighters alongside
the former emir of Katibat Al-Ansar, Sofiane Fassila, who was
killed in October by Algerian security forces in the province
of Tizi Ouzou (ref A). The narrator says that Abu Mousab
Abdel Wadoud, leader of AQIM, participated in the alleged
July 2007 Akroun attack as he happened to be in AQIM's
central zone at the time. The video shows Droukdal addressing
the fighters and inspecting their weapons.


3. (C) The release of the video came at a time when the
Algerian press was asserting that the AQIM Shura Council was
preparing to replace Droukdal as leader. The claim caused
AQIM to issue a communique on October 6 denying the press
reports and renewing its allegiance to Droukdal, the current
leader.

THE LATE FASSILA: THE BRAINS OF AQIM
--------------


4. (C) The video also shows Sofiane Fassila briefing the
fighters on the plan of attack. Pointing to a hand-drawn map
mounted on a green plastic sheet extending between two trees,
Fassila places great emphasis on the most vulnerable points
of the targets, where attackers might cause the most
casualties and damage. Fassila also uses a Packard Bell
laptop to compare a surveillance tape to the hand-drawn map
during the fighters' pre-brief.


5. (C) Algerian press reporting on Fassila said he was known
to be the planner and the brains behind most AQIM suicide
operations. The video shows him confident of his skills and
knowledge, familiar with attack tactics, and seemingly in
command. During the attack briefing, Droukdal and several
other old-time GSPC emirs (identified from previous videos
dating back to 2004) are supportive of Fassila. This latest
video confirms how important Fassila was to Droukdal and
AQIM, and underscores that his death October 7 was likely a
sharp blow to the organization.

A COORDINATED AND COMPLEX ATTACK
--------------


6. (U) In the video, four groups of fighters walk to the
assembly point from allegedly different locations in an
unidentified forest. Each group consists of seven to 25 men.
Preparation for the attack is divided among groups each with
a different assignment. One group is responsible for making
bombs, for example, another with loading rifle magazines, and

ALGIERS 00001648 002 OF 002


a third with inspecting RPGs. Approximately seven long
plastic sheets (3x8 feet) covered with white powder are left
in the open to dry, after which the powder is deposited into
empty gas tanks cut in half to make the bombs.


7. (U) According to the narrator, 100 mujahideen participated
in Akroun attack in the province of Tizi Ouzou in July,
including Droukdal who was present in the region at that
time. That estimate of the number of the fighters involved
is supported by a careful visual count of the men in the
video. Their ages range from approximately 25 to 40, though
five of the fighters appear to be under the age of sixteen.
(Note: According to the AQIM video statement, three fighters
were killed in the attack; two of them had more than ten
years of combat experience with the GSPC/GIA. End Note.)

SURVEILLANCE, A NEW AQIM VIDEO TECHNIQUE
--------------


8. (C) The narrator of the video claims the targets were
identified by the regional emirs, who carefully selected,
surveyed, and identified the best method of attack. The main
purpose of the attack, according to the narrator, was to take
complete control of the town of Akroun for a limited period
of time, and to eliminate the Algerian security presence in
the area. The three identified targets were gendarmerie,
military and communal guard posts. A surveillance video
camera mounted on a vehicle recorded the main entry gates of
each target, marking the first time this technique has been
seen in an AQIM video. The terrorists' surveillance vehicle
was parked only a few feet away from the gendarmerie and
communal guard post main entry gates. Even though the
military barracks were difficult to approach, AQIM was
capable of filming and surveying the military target from a
hill opposite the barracks.

AQIM CLAIMS A SUCCESSFUL ATTACK, BUT DID IT HAPPEN?
-------------- --------------


9. (C) In July 2007 (ref B),AQIM issued a communique
claiming it had conducted three simultaneous attacks on
security targets in Akroun, killing more than 25 soldiers.
The communique never appeared in the Algerian press. Instead
the press reported fighting in Akroun but stated that the
army rebuffed a large ambush and killed several terrorists.
The AQIM video narrator accuses the government of using lies
and deceit by claiming victory in Akroun. In fact, he
claims, the AQIM force defeated the government forces, and he
asserts that the video proves it. However, even though the
AQIM communique claimed 25 soldiers were killed in the
alleged attack, none of the dead soldiers' bodies are shown
in the video, in contrast to previous AQIM videos. The video
also does not prove that the weapons they claim to have
seized came from the battle. Since the alleged attack was
performed at night and its footage is very dark, it is
difficult to confirm from the video that the battle did
actually occur. The fact that the Algerian press did not
report at all on the battle casts more suspicion and doubt
about the alleged attack.

COMMENT
--------------


10. (C) Since Sofiane Fassila's death in October 2007, there
have been no suicide attacks or major ambushes conducted by
AQIM. Smaller-scale terrorist activities still occur in the
mountainous Kayblie and surrounding region, but it appears
that AQIM has suffered a significant blow with the loss of a
major field commander. Since AQIM posted the new video on
September 21, it has received over 750 download requests.
From daily monitoring of AQIM's website, we estimate at least
1800 hits are recorded every day. Whether or not the Akroun
attack occurred, AQIM clearly has an eye on increased
recruitment by producing slick videos like the "Battle of
Akroun."
DAUGHTON