Latest news with #AQIM
Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
U.S. Africa commander highlights terror growth in Sahel and competition with China for influence
A top United States military general warned Thursday that terror groups in Africa are ramping up their ability to conduct attacks in the U.S. Gen. Michael Langley, the four-star Marine General who leads U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the Sahel region of the continent is now the "flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability. It is the epicenter of terrorism on the globe." Several terror groups have expanded drastically in the last three years. Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, is three times the size it was in 2022, he said, and has spread across Mali, Burkina Faso, and parts of Niger, which the U.S. military pulled out of last year. Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, a faction affiliated with Al-Qaeda, is now four times the size it was in 2022, expanding mainly in Burkina Faso. "We're keeping a good eye on this because they could have the capacity to attack the homeland," Langley said in a call with reporters. "Throughout my travels across West Africa and through dialog here at the conference, the concerns shared by my peers match my own," he added. "One of the terrorist's key goals now is access to the west coast of Africa. If they gain access to the vast coastline, they can diversify their revenue streams and evolve their tactics, more easily exporting terrorism to American shores." He noted that the terror groups engage in illicit activity like smuggling, human trafficking and arms trading, which fund their nefarious actions and destabilize the region. U.S. forces over the weekend conducted an airstrike against the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab in Somalia. The East African country has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and al-Shabab. The U.S. is in a race with China and Russia to gain influence and trust with the local governments of several African nations to help protect citizens from terror groups. Langley said there is an increasing concern about the number of African soldiers going to Beijing for military training and replicating a U.S. International Military Education and Training (IMET) program. "They're trying to replicate what we do best in our IMET program," said Langley. "And then they also said they're going to increase security and training in a number of countries. So, they're trying to replicate what we do."
Ya Biladi
04-03-2025
- Ya Biladi
UK updates travel advice : Morocco seen as safer than neighboring countries
The United Kingdom regularly assesses the security situation in the Maghreb to provide travel recommendations for its citizens. According to the British government, the threat level in Morocco is increasing due to the presence of Daesh sympathizers and members of other extremist groups. Authorities frequently dismantle terrorist cells. The latest counterterrorism operation took place on February 19, with security services conducting simultaneous raids in Tangier, Fez, Azemmour, Guercif, Ouled Teima, and Tamesna, a suburb of Rabat, reads a Foreign travel advice on Morocco by the UK government. Twelve suspects, aged 18 to 40, were arrested. London also warns British travelers about the possibility of demonstrations and protests across Morocco, particularly in major cities, sometimes without prior notice. While authorized protests are generally peaceful, unauthorized ones can escalate into clashes with law enforcement, potentially disrupting travel. However, the British government notes that no foreign tourists have been reported kidnapped in Morocco. Heightened Security Warnings for Algeria In Algeria, the UK's security warnings take on a different tone. «You should remain vigilant at all times and follow specific advice and direction of the local security authorities», the Foreign Office advises Britons traveling to Algeria. The terrorist threat is higher in certain regions, particularly near the southern borders, where kidnapping risks are concentrated, as well as along the Libyan and Tunisian borders, in northern rural areas, and in the Sahara. To reinforce its message, the British government provided a list of terrorist attacks carried out by extremist groups between 2019 and 2021, which targeted Algerian military personnel. British authorities also highlight the risk of kidnapping by armed groups operating in North Africa, particularly from Libya, Mauritania, and the Sahel. Groups affiliated with AQIM and Daesh can move across the region's porous borders, increasing the threat in remote desert areas, especially along Algeria's southern and eastern borders with Mali and Libya. As a reminder, a Spanish tourist was kidnapped on January 14 in Algeria by a Malian armed group. Tunisia also falls under the UK's travel warnings, especially along the Libyan border and certain areas near Algeria, which are considered high-risk. Additionally, the British government reminds travelers that land borders between Algeria and Morocco have been closed since August 1994, warning: «Do not attempt to cross them».
Ya Biladi
03-03-2025
- Ya Biladi
UK updates travel advice : Morocco seen as safer than neighboring countries
The United Kingdom regularly assesses the security situation in the Maghreb to provide travel recommendations for its citizens. According to the British government, the threat level in Morocco is increasing due to the presence of Daesh sympathizers and members of other extremist groups. Authorities frequently dismantle terrorist cells. The latest counterterrorism operation took place on February 19, with security services conducting simultaneous raids in Tangier, Fez, Azemmour, Guercif, Ouled Teima, and Tamesna, a suburb of Rabat, reads a Foreign travel advice on Morocco by the UK government. Twelve suspects, aged 18 to 40, were arrested. London also warns British travelers about the possibility of demonstrations and protests across Morocco, particularly in major cities, sometimes without prior notice. While authorized protests are generally peaceful, unauthorized ones can escalate into clashes with law enforcement, potentially disrupting travel. However, the British government notes that no foreign tourists have been reported kidnapped in Morocco. In Algeria, the UK's security warnings take on a different tone. «You should remain vigilant at all times and follow specific advice and direction of the local security authorities», the Foreign Office advises Britons traveling to Algeria. The terrorist threat is higher in certain regions, particularly near the southern borders, where kidnapping risks are concentrated, as well as along the Libyan and Tunisian borders, in northern rural areas, and in the Sahara. To reinforce its message, the British government provided a list of terrorist attacks carried out by extremist groups between 2019 and 2021, which targeted Algerian military personnel. British authorities also highlight the risk of kidnapping by armed groups operating in North Africa, particularly from Libya, Mauritania, and the Sahel. Groups affiliated with AQIM and Daesh can move across the region's porous borders, increasing the threat in remote desert areas, especially along Algeria's southern and eastern borders with Mali and Libya. As a reminder, a Spanish tourist was kidnapped on January 14 in Algeria by a Malian armed group. Tunisia also falls under the UK's travel warnings, especially along the Libyan border and certain areas near Algeria, which are considered high-risk. Additionally, the British government reminds travelers that land borders between Algeria and Morocco have been closed since August 1994, warning: «Do not attempt to cross them».
Morocco World
01-03-2025
- Morocco World
UK Issues Travel Warnings for 69 Countries, Including Algeria
Rabat – The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued 'do not travel' warnings for 69 countries around the world, mainly due to concerns over safety and security. Among these countries in the region are Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. One of the main countries with a significant warning is Algeria. The FCDO advise s against all travel to areas within 30 kilometers of the country's borders with Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and Tunisia. These regions are considered high-risk due to ongoing conflicts and the presence of armed groups, which pose a serious threat to travelers. Algeria has been battling groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Islamic State (ISIS), which have operated in remote areas. These groups are particularly active in the mountainous and desert regions near Algeria's border with its neighboring countries. The FCDO has urged UK citizens to stay clear of these zones as unstable security situation in these border areas makes it dangerous for visitors. In addition, conflicts in Mali, Libya, and Niger have also had spillover effects on Algeria. Meanwhile, Tunisia faces warnings primarily in specific regions. The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Tunisia due to the threat of terrorism and political instability. Similarly, Libya is considered a highly dangerous destination, with the FCDO advising against all travel to the country. Egypt also faces partial travel restrictions, particularly in certain regions where security is a concern. With these warnings, the FCDO aims to protect UK citizens from unsafe travel environments. Other countries on the list face risks like natural disasters, health outbreaks, and conflicts. The FCDO strongly recommended that travelers avoid going to these areas unless absolutely necessary. Tags: Algeriatravel warningUK
