The Full Story On The Algerian Hostage Crisis

Algeria's In Amenas gas field where at least 38 civilians and 29 militants were killed during the siege. Photograph: Google Earth/Reuters

Algeria Hostage Crisis: The Full Story Of The Kidnapping In The Desert -- The Guardian

Some were shot. Others hid and hoped. Using survivors' testimonies, photography and video - some filmed by the hostages themselves - we piece together the narrative of the four-day In Amenas gas plant siege

Wednesday 16 January: The Attack

At 5.40am, Murielle, 46, the on-site emergency nurse at In Amenas gas plant was getting dressed in her bedroom. Her working day was due to start at 6am. The French nurse, specialised in anaesthetics, described herself as hardened to crisis: after a decade in emergency operating theatres, she was a medic in the Kosovo war and worked across Africa on petrol or forestry sites. At In Amenas she was in charge of “mass casualty” situations and ran the on-site ambulance.

Read more ....

Update: 32 Militants Overran 100 Guards To Take Over Algerian Oil Field -- Duncan Gardham, Business Insider/The Telegraph

My Comment: A good recap on the Algerian hostage crisis. The only thing that I can add to this story is that the death toll could have been much higher if it was not for the actions of a few guards at the beginning and a little luck during the course of the crisis.

The Aftermath Of The Algerian Hostage Crisis

Algeria Defends Hardline Response To Hostage Crisis -- Christian Science Monitor

Algeria's prime minister says quick intervention was 'the only way possible' to end the standoff, but some foreign governments said they should have been more closely consulted about rescue plans.

The Algerian government for the first time yesterday shared its account of the four-day hostage crisis and bloody rescue attempt that took place at an energy complex there last week, defending its tough response despite international criticism.

“The whole world has understood that the reaction was courageous,” Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal said, calling the abductions an attack “on the stability of Algeria.”

“When the security of the country is at stake," he added, "there is no possible discussion.”

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More News On The Aftermath Of The Algerian Hostage Crisis

Five still missing as Algeria gas plant restarts -- AFP
Algeria hostage crisis: five foreigners missing in Sahara desert -- The Telegraph
Death toll rises in Algerian ordeal -- Sydney Morning Herald
Algerian Prime Minister gives death toll update on hostage crisis -- The Global Dispatch
Three Americans confirmed among dozens killed in Algeria hostage taking -- NBC News
Algeria Says Militants Were to Move Hostages After Blast -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Gas plant worker and 2 Canadians helped terrorists in siege, Algerian PM says -- FOX News/AP
Algeria siege: Canada examines hostage claims -- BBC
Canada says checking reports about Canadian Algeria militant -- Reuters
Algerian press defends army action in hostage crisis -- BBC
Algeria hostage recounts survival tactics, as toll rises -- The National
After Algerian standoff, debate emerges over hostage-takers’ intent -- Washington Post
Algeria hostage-takers threaten more attacks - SITE -- Reuters
Algeria Attack Shows Reach of Militants -- Wall Street Journal
Bloody attack forces energy firms to reassess security needs in Algeria, other part of Africa -- Washington Post/AP
Algeria Attack Poses a Dilemma for Western Oil Companies -- Vivienne Walt, Time

Algeria Hostage Crisis -- News Updates January 21, 2013

Who Was The White Jihadi? Algerian Forces Find 'Two Canadians And At Least One Frenchman' Among Bodies Of Gas Plant Gunmen -- Daily Mail

* Canadian passports found on badly burned bodies of two insurgents
* One Frenchman among the terrorists, say Algerian judicial sources
* Algerian PM says 37 foreign hostages from eight countries had died
* Total death toll of captives and hostage-takers has risen to 89
* Cameron says repatriation of dead Brits 'top priority' but may take time
* Some of the gunmen 'given short-term contracts by the oil and gas giant'
* Attackers 'arrived in cars painted in colours of Algerian state energy firm'
* Group threatens further attacks unless France ends assault on Mali rebels
* William Hague denies intervention in Libya had fuelled extremism in region

Westerners including two Canadians and possibly a Frenchman were among the Al Qaeda terrorists responsible for the bloody Algerian hostage crisis, it was claimed today.

Algerian special forces discovered the bodies at the In Amenas facility, where the hostage death toll was thought to have risen to at least 57 today, including up to six Britons.

At least 35 heavily armed Al Qaeda operatives were killed, while five were today being interrogated by officials in the North African country.

Read more ....

More News On Algeria's Hostage Crisis

Canadian 'co-ordinated' terrorist attack, says Algerian PM – live updates -- The Guardian
Algerian PM: 48 killed in gas plant attack -- Al Jazeera
Inside job, 2 Canadian militants, bomb experts: Algeria describes how Islamists drove mayhem -- Washington Post/AP
Algeria: Two Canadians among hostage takers, prime minister says -- L.A. Times
Death toll in gas plant hostage siege hits 37, including 2 more Americans, officials say -- FOX News
Algerian Prime Minister Says at Least 37 Foreigners Dead in Siege -- New York Times
Algeria raises death toll of foreign hostages at gas complex; 3 said to be Americans -- Washington Post
Thirty-seven foreigners die at Algeria gas plant, seven missing: PM -- Reuters
Count of hostage deaths in Algeria standoff rises to 37, prime minister says -- CNN
Two Canadians among militants at Saharan gas plant: Algerian PM -- CTV
Gunmen Planned to Move Hostages After Gas Blast -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Algeria hostage crisis: Country by country -- BBC
No start-up date for Algeria hostage gas plant-operators -- Reuters
Algeria's response to the hostage crisis raises serious questions -- John Sweeny, The Guardian

Five Algerian Kidnappers Have Been Captured Alive

Algeria Claims Capture Of Five Hostage-Takers -- Al Jazeera

Announcement follows warning that preliminary tolls of hostages and captors killed in siege at gas plant would rise.

Algeria says special forces clearing the gas plant deep in the Sahara that was the scene of a violent hostage crisis, have captured five captors alive, according to a security source.

The announcement on Sunday followed statements that Algeria expected to raise the preliminary death tolls of 23 hostages and 32 captors killed in the four-day siege at the In Amenas gas refinery.

The security forces were still clearing the plant site, in Tiguentourine in eastern Algeria, the source told Reuters news agency, and engineers were expected to visit soon to start work on resuming output.

Read more ....

My Comment: I suspect that these prisoners are now providing  intelligence and information on who were the ring leaders for this operation, where is their base of operation, are there other operations being planned, and who is providing them logistical/financial/material support/etc..

Update #1: The official death toll number (so far) is 81. -- CBC/AP
Update #2: Another Algeria kidnapper has been 'taken alive' -- Irish Times

Hostage Crisis In Algeria -- A News Roundup

Hostages Dead In Bloody Climax To Siege In Algeria -- New York Times

BAMAKO, Mali — The four-day hostage crisis in the Sahara reached a bloody conclusion on Saturday as the Algerian Army carried out a final assault on the gas field taken over by Islamist militants, killing most of the remaining kidnappers and raising the total of hostages killed to at least 23, Algerian officials said.

Although the government declared an end to the militants’ siege, the authorities believed that a handful of jihadists were most likely hiding somewhere in the sprawling complex and said that troops were hunting for them.

Read more ....

More News On The End of the Algeria Hostage Crisis

Algeria Says Bodies of More Hostages Found at Gas Complex -- Voice of America
Algeria Warns of More Bad News From Gas Field -- Wall Street Journal
Algerian official: 'Numerous' bodies found at gas plant -- USA Today
Algeria says siege death toll likely to rise after 23 hostages confirmed killed -- The Guardian
Death toll in Algeria crisis 'could rise' -- Al Jazeera
Official: 'Numerous' other bodies at Algeria plant -- AP
Algerian siege ends as it started - with bloodshed -- The Australian/The Times
Jihadist claims Algeria attack for al Qaeda in video- site -- Reuters

My Comment: I suspect that the real death toll is many times what the official figures are .... and we will be told the complete details in the next few days. A good analysis on why the militants selected this target  (and why it was not a surprise when the attack was launched) can be read here.

Update: Algerian Assault Ends Crisis, 29 Militants And 19 Hostages Dead

WNU Editor: AP has the following report.

We will be posting a complete news roundup on the Algerian hostage crisis late tonight.

Algerian Hostage Crisis Comes To An End With Military Assault

Algeria Hostage Situation Reportedly Comes To Violent End, As Clinton Calls Siege 'Act Of Terror' -- FOX News

The four-day hostage standoff in Algeria reportedly came to a bloody end Saturday when the country's special forces stormed the gas plant and killed 11 militants, but not before they allegedly executed seven hostages, the state news agency reported.

U.S. officials have not confirmed to Fox News that any hostages were executed at the remote desert gas plant Saturday.

Algerian authorities estimated that around 30 militants occupied the Ain Amenas site Wednesday and with 18 already reported dead, it appears the hostage crisis involving hundreds of plant workers is finally over.

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More News On The Hostage Crisis In Algeria

Algerian army storms besieged gas plant, leaving 18 dead -- CBC/AP
Algeria Gas Plant Seizure Ends as Militants, Hostages Die -- Bloomberg
Algerian Army Secures Control of Gas Complex; Some Hostages Killed -- Wall Street Journal
Algeria launches 'final assault'; 7 hostages dead -- USA Today
Hostages reportedly killed as Algerian desert standoff ends -- Washington Post
Algerian army stages "final assault" on gas plant -- Reuters
Algerian troops attempt to end hostage standoff with 'final assault' -- The Guardian
Algerian forces storm gas field, militants execute seven hostages before being killed -- The Australian/AFP
Hostages, Militants Reported Dead In Algerian Assault -- NPR
Army storms Algerian gas plant, 7 hostages, 11 militants dead: reports -- CTV
Storming of Algerian gas plant claims lives -- Al Jazeera
Report: 7 hostages killed as Algerian forces launch new assault -- CNN
Algerian Forces Storm Remaining Buildings Held By Hostage Takers -- Radio Free Europe

Hostage Crisis Continues In Algeria -- Live Updates And News Roundup

Scene: The plant is located in In Amenas, around 60 miles from the Libyan border and 800 miles from the capital in Algeria's vast desert south

'We're Free!' Four British Hostages Tell Algerian Television They Escaped Al Qaeda But 12 Feared Dead Or Injured In Bungled Refinery Rescue Raid -- Daily Mail

* The Britons look well and praised the Algerian army for their efforts in the Saharan raid
* Darren Matthews, from Teesside says he is desperate to get home but was thinking of the men still there
* Algeria refuses to accept help from UK special forces or negotiators despite up to 60 people being held captive
* PM says in Commons statement the crisis is still 'ongoing' and the giant BP compound is not secure
* He also admits he was 'disappointed' Algeria ignored his request to inform them in advance of the assault
* At least 31 hostages of 15 nationalities are dead, including two Britons, with 11 Al Qaeda terrorists also killed
* 55 foreign nationals, including UK citizens, are still unaccounted for but some may have fled into the desert
* Two Scottish people said to be among four hostages freed following the military raid
* One escapee claims that a terrorist spoke with a 'perfect English accent' raising fears the radicals had links to the UK
* Militants want to swap two Americans for jailed terror figures, a Mauritanian website says

Four British hostages have appeared on Algerian state television after they were freed from the oil refinery where up to 12 others are feared dead or injured after a bungled rescue mission.

Darren Matthews, from Loftus on Teesside said: 'I feel safe at the moment but I won't be happy until I am home and seeing my family. My heart goes out to those who are still there.

'Hopefully everyone comes home safe, because at the end of the day it’s only work – no-one should have to go through that just for a job.'

The men looked well and praised the operation by Algerian forces, saying: 'I think they did a fantastic job. I was very impressed with the Algerian army. It was a very exciting episode. I feel sorry for anybody who has been hurt but, other than that, I enjoyed it'. It is not known if they were coerced.

Meanwhile David Cameron has sent in special forces and specialist hostage negotiators to Algeria, MailOnline understands, as he pledged to 'hunt down' the terrorists who have left up 12 Britons dead or injured.

Read more .....

More News On The Algerian Hostage Crisis

Algeria hostage crisis 'ongoing', says Cameron - live updates -- The Guardian
U.S. evacuating U.S. citizens, others from Algeria gas plant, source says: Live -- CNN
Algeria hostage crisis: latest -- The Telegraph
LIVE: Militants ‘demand’ swap for US hostages -- France 24
Algeria launches second rescue effort -- Al Jazeera
Deadly, murky hostage crisis in Algeria continues -- CBS/AP
World scrambles to learn fate of U.S. hostages in Algeria -- Washington Times
Algerian hostage crisis: militants retain part-control of gas plant -- The Guardian
Oil companies: more than 22 workers still unaccounted for in Algeria -- Washington Post
Sixty foreigners still caught in Sahara hostage crisis -- Reuters
Algeria siege: 'Around 30' hostages unaccounted for -- BBC
Algerian forces still searching for hostages, captors, officials say -- Washington Post
Algeria: 100 of 132 foreign hostages are freed in Sahara desert siege -- Washington Post/AP
Algeria: 100 Hostages Freed in Standoff; Others Unaccounted For -- AP
US: Algeria situation 'ongoing' and 'sensitive' -- AFP
After deaths and escapes, Algeria hostage crisis still not over -- Christian Science Monitor
Algeria Says 30 Hostages Still Missing in Gas Plant Siege -- Bloomberg Businessweek
As Rescue Operation Continues in Algeria, Fate of Hostages Remains Unclear -- New York Times
Report: 650 hostages freed by Algerian special forces -- CNN
Report: More than half of foreign hostages freed at Algerian gas plant -- UPI
Al Qaeda-linked group reportedly offers to trade 2 hostages for terrorists jailed in US -- FOX News
Report: Algerian militants demand U.S. free 2 terrorists -- USA Today
Scenes of Terror at Gas Field: Hostages Bound to Explosives -- New York Times
Survivors recount ordeal of Algerian bloodbath -- AFP
Escaped Algerian hostage witnessed dead French boss -- Reuters
U.S. vows to pursue militants behind Algeria attack -- Reuters
US Still Seeking Clarity on Algeria Situation -- Voice of America
Air Force Evacuates Some Hostages Freed from Algeria Oil Field Chaos -- Danger Room
Algeria Army-Backed Oil Security Suffers Biggest Blow -- New York Times/Reuters
Al-Qaeda leadership fight behind Algerian hostage raid -- USA Today
The energy giants at most risk in Northern Africa -- CNN
Algerian hostage siege: 'It could only have ended with a massive assault' -- Angelique Chrisafis, The Guardian
Hostage crisis: Energy needs ensnare Europe in the Sahara -- Ben Quinn, Christian Science Monitor

Algeria Hostage Crisis: News Roundup And Live Updates

'Thirty-Five Hostages Killed In Algerian Helicopter Attack On BP Gas Plant Siege': Two Brits Among Westerners Feared Dead -- Daily Mail

* Helicopters 'began strafing' complex, also killing 15 militants, claim rebels
* Militants had earlier threatened to blow up the hostages if they intervened
* Al-Qaeda group also demand safe passage out of facility with the hostages
* Two British nationals and Algerian are believed to have been killed in siege
* Britain will allow Algeria to 'take the lead', but will consider request for help
* PM Cameron: 'Extent of attack suggests considerable degree of planning'
* Attack was planned by 'one-eyed Islamist known as The Uncatchable'

Thirty-five foreign hostages were killed today in a helicopter air strike by Algerian forces on the BP gas plant seized by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, militants have claimed.

Soldiers from the Saharan state attacked the gas field where dozens of Westerners including Britons and Americans were being held in revenge for France's assault on al-Qaeda rebels in neighbouring Mali.

Helicopters began strafing the plant this morning, hours after the rebels had threatened to blow up the hostages if they intervened.

Read more ....

More News On The Algerian Hostage Crisis

Live coverage of Algeria hostage crisis -- Reuters
Live Page: Algeria hostage siege -- BBC
Algeria hostage crisis: Live Report -- AFP
Fears for hostages as Algeria attacks gas complex – live updates -- The Guardian
LIVE: Hostages, kidnappers reported killed in Algeria -- USA Today
Algerian gas field crisis: 35 hostages 'killed by air strikes' -- The Telegraph
Live updates on the Algeria hostage crisis -- Washington Post
Algeria Hostage Crisis: Live -- CNN
Live Blog: Algeria opens operation to free mass hostages -- Haaretz

Hostages and some Americans escape from terrorists in Algeria, while Algerian military attacks gas complex, sources say -- FOX News
Militants: 35 hostages dead in Algerian copter attack -- CBS/AP
Dozens of hostages 'killed' in Algeria -- Al Jazeera
Algerian forces launch operation to break desert siege -- Reuters
Algeria Forces Storm Plant to Free Hostages -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Algerian forces try to retake gas complex; militants claim 35 hostage deaths -- Washington Post
Algeria Rescue Operation Under Way -- Wall Street Journal
Algerian forces attack militants holding hostages at remote gas complex -- Washington Post
Algerian Forces Mount Military Operation to Free Hostages, Diplomats Say -- New York Times
Airstrikes, Casualties Reported After Algerian Raid on Gas Facility -- Voice of America
Several Western hostages reported killed in Algeria siege operation -- NBC
Some foreign hostages freed in Algeria operation, report says -- CNN
'Hostages killed' during Algerian rescue mission -- The Australian/AFP
Hostages reportedly escape Islamist captors in Algeria; some may have been slain -- L.A. Times

WNU Editor: This is a breaking news story. We will be updating it during the day.

Live Coverage Of Algeria Hostage Crisis

A satellite image of the gas facility in Algeria. Photo by Google Earth

WNU Editor: The following websites are following the Algerian hostage crisis live.

Live coverage of Algeria hostage crisis -- Reuters
Live Page: Algeria hostage siege -- BBC
Algeria hostage crisis: Live Report -- AFP
Fears for hostages as Algeria attacks gas complex – live updates -- The Guardian
LIVE: Hostages, kidnappers reported killed in Algeria -- USA Today
Algerian gas field crisis: 35 hostages 'killed by air strikes' -- The Telegraph
Live updates on the Algeria hostage crisis -- Washington Post
Algeria Hostage Crisis: Live -- CNN
Live Blog: Algeria opens operation to free mass hostages -- Haaretz

BREAKING NEWS!!! 34 Hostages And 15 Kidnappers Killed In Air Strikes By Algerian Army: ANI news agency

WNU Editor: Reuters and Al Jazeera are reporting this news. Reuters live feed is here.

This story will updated as more news and information comes in.

Algeria Hostage Situation: US Forces On Standby

US Forces On Standby Near Algeria Hostage Situation -- Business Insider

Dozens of armed jihadists claiming to come from Mali killed two foreigners, including a French national, and kidnapped at least 20 more in a raid at an oil field in Algeria on Wednesday.

Barbara Starr of CNN reports that a U.S. Africa Command response force is waiting on standby, adding that the team has been diverted from Mali and is gathering intel on the facility.

Read more ....

My Comment: You would think that after the U.S. Benghazi consulate attack and the ongoing war in Mali that that the U.S. would have some Special Forces in the region to be ready for something like this. But I suspect that even if they do, the Algerians will be reluctant and would prefer to handle this situation themselves, especially since the leader of this group is a wanted terrorist in Algeria itself.

Armed Islamists Seize Algerian Gas Plant With Western Hostages As Retailiation For France's Military Involvement In Mali

Former Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) emir Mokhtar Belmokhtar speaking at an undisclosed location. (AFP)

At Least Three Dead And Dozens Held Hostage After Islamist Militants Conduct Mali Revenge Attack On BP Gas Field In Algeria As Panetta Brands Actions 'Terrorist Attack' -- Daily Mail

* At least three dead and dozens captured on bus near the town of Ain Amenas, Algeria close to Libyan border
* At least 41 others held hostage, including at least seven Americans
* Attack was retribution for Algeria's support of France's opposition in neighboring Mali, reports claimed
* Rebels are 'holding victims in gas plant and threatening to blow it up'
* Al-Qaeda group claims raid was revenge for France's attacks on Mali rebels

At least three people have been killed and dozens taken hostage in a deadly attack on a natural gas facility in Algeria Wednesday in a strike that appears to have been carried out by an al-Qaeda-linked militant group.

According to reports by the AP and Reuters, 41people have been taken hostage from the complex deep in the Sahara, including citizens from America, Britain, France, Norway, and Japan.

Read more ....

More News On Yesterday's Al Qaeda Raid On An Algerian Gas Plant

‘Uncatchable’ Jihadist Kingpin Said Behind Algeria Raid -- Al Arabiya
Algeria troops surround Islamist hostage-takers -- AFP
Algeria troops 'in face-off' with militant hostage-takers -- BBC
Algerian troops in standoff with militants holding western hostages -- The Guardian
Islamists take foreign hostages in attack on Algerian oil field -- CNN
Algeria attackers reportedly led by one-eyed militant -- L.A. Times
Militants retaliate for Mali intervention with kidnapping in Algeria -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News
Militants Seize Americans and Other Hostages in Algeria -- New York Times
'Lives at stake' as Islamists take hostages at gas plant in Algeria -- The Australian/AFP
Algerian militants take hostages, 41 foreigners -- Christian Science Monitor
Algerian militants: We hold 41 foreigners, including 7 Americans -- Christian Science Monitor
Americans among 20 hostages seized in Algeria -- Washington Post
At Least 3 Americans Held Hostage by Al Qaeda-Linked Group in Algeria -- ABC News
U.S. confirms Americans among hostages in Algeria attack -- Reuters
Algeria rules out negotiating with hostage-takers -- Reuters
Hague condemns 'cold-blooded murder' in Algeria -- AFP
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta condemns deadly incident in Algeria as 'terrorist attack' and says U.S. will 'take all necessary steps' to get American hostages back -- Daily Mail
Long Insurgency Gave Rise to al Qaeda-Linked Group -- Wall Street Journal
Al Qaeda-linked group claims credit for kidnappings in Algeria -- Long War Journal
Algeria hostage crisis sparks fears of escalation across region -- The Guardian

Al Qaeda Linked Group Claims 41 Western Hostages At Algerian Gas Field

Dozens Held After Islamists Attack Algerian Gas Field -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Islamist militants attacked a gas field in Algeria on Wednesday, claiming to have kidnapped up to 41 foreigners including seven Americans in a dawn raid in retaliation for France's intervention in Mali, according to regional media reports.

The raiders were also reported to have killed three people, including a Briton and a French national.

An al Qaeda affiliated group said the raid had been carried out because of Algeria's decision to allow France to use its air space for attacks against Islamists in Mali, where French forces have been in action against al Qaeda-linked militants since last week.

Read more ....

More News On Today's Al Qaeda Linked Terror Group Attack On A BP Gas Field In Algeria

Al Qaeda-linked group reportedly holding 7 Americans among 41 hostages after taking control of Algerian gas field -- FOX News
Islamists Seize Foreign Hostages at Algeria Gas Field -- New York Times
Foreigners abducted by Islamist militants in Algeria -- BBC
Islamists claim 41 western hostages at Algerian gas field -- Times of India/AFP
Al-Qaeda Says It Holds Foreigners After Algeria Attack -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Standoff Continues at Algerian Gas Field -- Wall Street Journal
Militants occupy BP gas complex in Algeria -- AP
Militants occupy BP complex in Algeria, take hostages, in revenge for France Mali intervention -- Washington Post/AP
Briton 'among two foreigners killed in Algeria attack' -- AFP

Algeria Mounts A Military Offensive Against Al Qaeda Militants

Algeria Mounts Big Push Against al-Qaida -- Space War/UPI

The Algerian army is conducting its biggest offensive in years against al-Qaida forces in the north across the Kabylie mountains and reportedly disrupted a major plot to use cellphone-detonated explosives in a bombing campaign.

There were reports that some top leaders of the group, Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, have been killed but these haven't been confirmed.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is not Algeria's first military assault .... now will it be the last.

In Algeria, al-Qaida Extends Franchise

From Yahoo News/AP:

DRAA BEN KHEDDA, Algeria – Deep in the Sahara Desert, along the remote southern borders of Algeria, lies an immense no man's land where militants roam.

It is here that terrorists linked with al-Qaida traffic everything from weapons and drugs to illegal migrants. They have planted at least a half-dozen cells in Europe, according to French, Italian and Belgian intelligence. Last week, they announced on the Internet that they had killed a British hostage in Mali, and are still holding a Swiss hostage.

Read more ....

My Comment: The southern part of Algeria is a no mans land. A perfect place to hide ,train, plan, and execute any international terrorist operation.

Algeria -- Ragtag Insurgency Gains a Lifeline From Al Qaeda

Harald Ickler, who was kidnapped by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, displaying a photo of his captors, including one of the group’s top operatives, Amari Saifi, right.

From The New York Times:

NACIRIA, Algeria — Hiding in the caves and woodlands surrounding this hill-country town, Algerian insurgents were all but washed up a few years ago.

Their nationalist battle against the Algerian military was faltering. “We didn’t have enough weapons,” recalled a former militant lieutenant, Mourad Khettab, 34. “The people didn’t want to join. And money, we didn’t have enough money.”

Then the leader of the group, a university mathematics graduate named Abdelmalek Droukdal, sent a secret message to Iraq in the fall of 2004. The recipient was Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, and the two men on opposite ends of the Arab world engaged in what one firsthand observer describes as a corporate merger.

Read more ....

More News on Algeria:
Algerian Al-Qaeda Group Expands Attacks, Training, NYT Reports -- Bloomberg
Qaeda targets US oil interests in N.Africa - NYT -- Reuters

My Comment: Will Algeria go back to the bloody civil war of the nineties .... this year will decide the path that will be taken.