An Uptick in Jihadist Attacks in Algeria

Al Qaeda franchise group al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has increased the tempo and range of its attacks in Algeria's populous northern region. At the moment, there is no indication that the growing number of attacks is linked to a new influx of weapons or supplies from neighboring Libya, and the group's choice of targets has shown it remains focused on a local, rather than transnational, agenda. It is not clear that the group can sustain the recent pace of attacks, but if AQIM begins using larger devices or new tactics or focuses on new target sets, it could be a sign that the group has found a new weapons supply.