DECEMBER 2009 SUMMARY OF TERRORIST AND SIGNIFICANT

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.