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 -------------- ¶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