Al-Mourabitoun

Overview

Also Known As:

Al-Mulathamun Brigade“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. Al-Mulathamun Masked Ones Brigade“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. Al Murabitoon – Al Qaeda in West AfricaThomas Joscelyn, “Mokhtar Belmokhtar now leads ‘Al Qaeda in West Africa,” Long War Journal, August 13, 2015, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/08/mokhtar-belmokhtar-now-leads-al-qaeda-in-west-africa.php. Al-Murabitoun“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. Al-Muwaqqi'un bil-Dima“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. Khaled Abu al-Abbas Brigade“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. Masked Men Brigade“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf.

Signatories in Blood“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. Signed-in-Blood Battalion“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. The Sentinels“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. Those Signed in Blood Battalion“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. Those who Sign in Blood“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. Witnesses in Blood“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf.

Executive Summary:

Al-Mourabitoun (“The Sentinels”) is a violent, jihadist terrorist group in West Africa that aims to implement sharia (Islamic law). The group was formed from a 2013 merger between al-Mulathamun (“The Masked Men”) Battalion (AMB) and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO).“Terrorist Designation of the Al-Mulathamun Battalion,” U.S. Department of State, December 18, 2013, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/218880.htm. Both groups were offshoots of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. In December 2015, al-Mourabitoun merged with AQIMAssociated Press, “Mali: Group Merges With Al Qaeda,” New York Times, December 4, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/05/world/africa/mali-group-merges-with-al-qaeda.html. after a joint attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, the Malian capital. This attack signaled a declaration of unity between both groups. Al-Mourabitoun has since taken the lead in AQIM operations, including a high-profile attack on a U.N. base in northern Mali.Conor Gaffey, “Peacekeeping in Mali: The U.N.’s Most Dangerous Mission,” Newsweek, June 12, 2016, http://www.newsweek.com/mali-un-mission-northern-mali-conflict-aqim-africa-peacekeeping-468907.

Mokhtar Belmokhtar had previously split his AMB from AQIM in 2012.“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. AMB orchestrated a January 2013 attack on a gas facility near In Amenas, Algeria, that left 38 civilians dead.“Terrorist Designation of the Al-Mulathamun Battalion,” U.S. Department of State, December 18, 2013, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/218880.htm. In May 2013, AMB and MUJAO carried out twin suicide bombings in Niger that killed at least 20 people.“Terrorist Designation of the Al-Mulathamun Battalion,” U.S. Department of State, December 18, 2013, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/218880.htm.

After AMB’s August 2013 merger with the Mali-based MUJAO to form al-Mourabitoun, the newly formed group claimed that the region’s jihadist movement is “stronger than ever.”“Belmohktar’s militants ‘merge’ with Mali’s Mujao,” BBC News, August 22, 2013, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-23796920. Al-Mourabitoun announced its intentions to “rout” France and its allies in the region.“Belmohktar’s militants ‘merge’ with Mali’s Mujao,” BBC News, August 22, 2013, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-23796920. The group carried out attacks against French interests in the region, African military units coordinating against Islamist forces, and African civilians.

Belmoktar has been falsely declared dead on numerous occasions. In 2013, the government of Chad announced Belmoktar had been killed in an antiterrorism operation in Mali. In early October 2015, an Algerian news channel reported that Belmoktar’s death had been announced by an al-Qaeda spokesman in a recorded audio message. A U.S. airstrike in Libya was reported to have killed Belmokhtar on June 14, 2015, although the United States has not confirmed his death.Reuters, “Libya Says 'Uncatchable' Veteran Militant Killed in U.S. Strike,” New York Times, June 15, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/06/15/world/africa/15reuters-usa-libya.html. Al-Mourabitoun later denied Belmokhtar had been killed and declared him its official leader in July 2015.Thomas Joscelyn, “Mokhtar Belmokhtar now leads ‘Al Qaeda in West Africa,” Long War Journal, August 13, 2015, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/08/mokhtar-belmokhtar-now-leads-al-qaeda-in-west-africa.php.

Doctrine:

Al-Mourabitoun believes it has a “Shari’a-based duty” to unite Africa’s Muslims and Islamic movements against secular and non-Muslim influences, according to the Australian government.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. In particular, the group targets France and French interests in the region.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. The group’s stated goal is to “rout” France and its regional allies.“Belmohktar’s militants ‘merge’ with Mali’s Mujao,” BBC News, August 22, 2013, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-23796920. To that end, al-Mourabitoun has accused France of killing “peaceful children, women and old men” during its 2013 intervention in Mali.Robbie Corey-Boulet, “Website: Terror group threatens France over Mali,” Associated Press, January 6, 2014, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/website-terror-group-threatens-france-over-mali.

Both MUJAO and al-Mourabitoun originated as splinter groups of al-Qaeda’s affiliate in the region, AQIM.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. MUJAO’s stated goal was to spread jihad across West Africa.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. According to the Australian government, MUJAO objected to Algerian dominance of AQIM’s leadership.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx.

Al-Mourabitoun initially allied itself with al-Qaeda. Co-founder Adnan al-Sahrawi declared the group’s allegiance to ISIS in May 2015.Agence France-Presse, “Belmokhtar's jihadist group in N.Africa vows allegiance to IS,” Yahoo News, May 14, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/al-qaeda-linked-belmokhtar-group-n-africa-claims-001449854.html. Co-founder Mokhtar Belmokhtar rejected the pledge and said the group’s shura (advisory) council had not yet ruled on an ISIS alliance.Reuters, “Sahara Islamist Leader Belmokhtar Dismisses Islamic State Pledge: Report,” New York Times, May 17, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/05/17/world/africa/17reuters-sahara-militants.html. Al-Mourabitoun officially realigned itself with al-Qaeda in 2015, and renamed itself “Al Murabitoon – Al Qaeda in West Africa.”Thomas Joscelyn, “Mokhtar Belmokhtar now leads ‘Al Qaeda in West Africa,” Long War Journal, August 13, 2015, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/08/mokhtar-belmokhtar-now-leads-al-qaeda-in-west-africa.php.

Organizational Structure:

Al-Mourabitoun’s specific leadership structure is unknown, although the group’s leaders were subsumed under the AQIM branch in late 2015. The AQIM-affiliated group appears to be governed by an emir and a shura council that sets the organization’s agenda. Al-Mourabitoun has not publicly named most of its leaders,“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. although co-founder Adnan Abu Waleed al-Sahrawi described himself as the group’s emir in a May 2015 declaration of al-Mourabitoun’s allegiance to ISIS.Agence France-Presse, “Belmokhtar's jihadist group in N.Africa vows allegiance to IS,” Yahoo News, May 14, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/al-qaeda-linked-belmokhtar-group-n-africa-claims-001449854.html. Co-founder Mokhtar Belmokhtar rejected the pledge a week later, raising the question of whether al-Sahrawi or Belmokhtar is more senior in the group’s hierarchy.Reuters, “Sahara Islamist Leader Belmokhtar Dismisses Islamic State Pledge: Report,” New York Times, May 17, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/05/17/world/africa/17reuters-sahara-militants.html. Belmokhtar revealed that al-Mourabitoun has a governing shura council, which he said had not yet approved the pledge to ISIS.Reuters, “Sahara Islamist Leader Belmokhtar Dismisses Islamic State Pledge: Report,” New York Times, May 17, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/05/17/world/africa/17reuters-sahara-militants.html.

Al-Mourabitoun issued an online statement in July 2015 that its shura council had elected Belmokhtar the group’s new leader.Thomas Joscelyn, “Mokhtar Belmokhtar now leads ‘Al Qaeda in West Africa,” Long War Journal, August 13, 2015, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/08/mokhtar-belmokhtar-now-leads-al-qaeda-in-west-africa.php.

Financing:

Al-Mourabitoun is likely funded through kidnapping ransoms and criminal activities, according to the U.S. State Department.“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. The group also likely receives funding through its connections to other terrorist organizations.“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. MUJAO had previously received funding through regional drug smuggling.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. MUJAO had also been involved in a 2011 kidnapping of three aid workers in Algeria who were later released in exchange for a ransom payment.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx.

Recruitment:

Al-Mourabitoun largely consists of former AQIM members who left with AMB and MUJAO.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. Al-Mourabitoun’s primary recruiting area includes northern and western Africa, particularly Algeria, Mauritania, Mali, and Niger.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx.

Training:

AQIM has previously run a training camp in Timbuktu, Mali until the camp was destroyed in an airstrike.“Al-Qaeda,” Counter Extremism Project, accessed June 18, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. Recruits ate, slept, and trained together in the camp.“Al-Qaeda,” Counter Extremism Project, accessed June 18, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. Al-Qaeda also utilizes proxy training facilities provided by like-minded groups.“Al-Qaeda,” Counter Extremism Project, accessed June 18, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx.

Al-Mourabitoun’s leadership has maintained contact with AQIM, particularly through Djamel Okacha, AQIM’s leader in West Africa.“The List established and maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee,” U.N. Security Council, last updated May 22, 2015, http://www.un.org./sc/committees/1267/1267.pdf/.

Key Leaders

• 

  Mokhtar Belmokhtar

  Al-Mourabitoun emir, co-founder
• 

  Adnan al-Sahrawi

  Al-Mourabitoun co-founder

History

Violent Activities

• April 2012: MUJAO kidnaps seven Algerian diplomats in Mali.Laurent Prieur, “Saharah Islamists release video of Algerian diplomat hostage – agency,” Reuters, April 13, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/13/algeria-islamist-kidnapping-idUSL6N0N50OF20140413.
• June 30, 2012: MUJAO claims responsibility for a suicide bombing of the Algerian national gendarmerie headquarters in Ouargla, Algeria.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx.
• December 2012: MUJAO claims responsibility for the kidnapping of a Portuguese-French citizen in Mali.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx.
• January 2013: AMB takes over 800 people hostage during a four-day siege of the Tiguentourine gas facility in southeastern Algeria. Thirty-nine civilians, including three U.S. citizens, are killed.“Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. Belmokhtar claims responsibility for what is considered one of the worst international hostage crises in decades.Lamine Chikhi, “WRAPUP 6-Algeria hostage crisis death toll hits 80, could rise further,” Reuters, January 20, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/20/sahara-crisis-idUSL6N0AO37H20130120; Lamine Chikhi, “WRAPUP 8-Algeria accuses Canadian, puts hostage toll at 38,” Reuters, January 21, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/21/sahara-crisis-idUSL6N0AP4TU20130121.
• February 2013: A Mujao car-bombing targets Tuareg separatist group the Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA) at In-Khalil, Mali. The Mujao reportedly believed the MNLA was allied with French troops.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx.
• May 23, 2013: AMB and the Mali-based MUJAO (Movement for Oneness and Jihad) jointly carry out twin suicide attacks in Niger on a military camp and uranium mine run by the French company Areva. The attacks kill 24 soldiers and one civilian.“Niger attacks launched from southern Libya - Niger's president,” Reuters, May 25, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/25/niger-attacks-libya-idUSL5N0E60DD20130525; “The List established and maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee,” U.N. Security Council, last modified May 22, 2015, http://www.un.org./sc/committees/1267/1267.pdf/.
• July 2013: MUJAO releases a video of two of its members encouraging Muslims in France and the United States to carry out terrorist attacks.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx.
• October 2013: Al-Mourabitoun claims responsibility for firing rockets at the Gao airport in Mali. The group also fires mortar shells at two bridges in Gao, destroying one.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx; Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf.
• October 23, 2013: Four suicide bombers detonate IEDs near a military camp in Mali’s Kidal region. The bombers target a Chadian contingent of MINUSMA forces. Two Chadian soldiers, one Malian civilian, and the four bombers are killed, while at least six others are wounded. AMB claims responsibility in the press.Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf.
• November 2013: Four soldiers die in an IED attack on a Malian army vehicle between Asongo and Menaka. Al-Mourabitoun claims responsibility.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx.
• November 2013: A suicide bomber attacks the French barracks in Menaka, Mali. Al-Mourabitoun claims responsibility and asserts the bombing killed French soldiers. The French military says only the bomber was killed.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx.
• November 14, 2013: Sultan Ould Badi, a Malian formerly affiliated with MUJAO and currently affiliated with AMB, claimed responsibility for a vehicle-borne IED that detonated at the Malian Solidarity Bank in the northern city of Kidal. The explosion killed two Senegalese MINUSMA troops and injured seven Malian Armed Forces who were guarding the bank. The perpetrator died in the bombing.Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf.
• January 4, 2014: Al-Mourabitoun threatens to target the interests of “France and her allies” in a statement sent to the Mauritanian website Nouakchott Information Agency.Robbie Corey-Boulet, “Website: Terror group threatens France over Mali,” Associated Press, January 6, 2014, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/website-terror-group-threatens-france-over-mali.
• February 8, 2014: Al-Mourabitoun kidnaps five Malian aid workers were near Gao, Mali.Currently Listed Entities,” Public Safety Canada, last updated March 24, 2014, http://www.ibtimes.com/isis-threatens-eliminate-indias-central-bank-governor-raghuram-rajan-report-18843http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-eng.aspx.
• April 11, 2014: Al-Mourabitoun sends Mauritania's ANI news agency a video of one of three Algerian diplomats it is holding hostage. MUJAO had kidnapped seven diplomats in April 2012 in Mali. Three were released and one was reportedly executed. The video is the first proof of life since January 2013.Laurent Prieur, “Saharah Islamists release video of Algerian diplomat hostage – agency,” Reuters, April 13, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/13/algeria-islamist-kidnapping-idUSL6N0N50OF20140413.
• March 7, 2015: Al-Mourabitoun claims responsibility after an attack on the La Terrasse restaurant in Bamako, Mali, kills five people, including a Frenchman and a Belgian.Baba Ahmed, “Mali officials: 1 killed, 3 injured in attack in north,” Associated Press, April 5, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bc94eff4a46f40ebbdba8c74ebf1f9e3/mali-officials-1-killed-3-injured-attack-north.
• March 13, 2015: Malian security forces are attacked while trying to arrest Mohamed Tanirou Cisse, the suspected driver who drove attackers to the La Terrasse a week earlier. Cisse is killed while resisting arrest.Baba Ahmed, “Special forces kill Mali attack suspect, army official says,” Reuters, March 13, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/fbfd43635d6e40e8975a9b948067e9a2/special-forces-kill-mali-attack-suspect-army-official-says.
• April 15, 2015: An attack on a U.N. peacekeeping base in Ansogo, Mali, kills three people and wounds 16. Al-Mourabitoun claims responsibility.Tiemoko Diallo and Adama Diarra, “Islamist group claims attack on U.N. peacekeepers in Mali,” Reuters, April 18, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/18/us-mali-un-idUSKBN0N90F920150418.
• May 18, 2015: Al-Mourabitoun announces it kidnapped a Romanian citizen on April 4 in Burkina Faso.Rukmini Callimachi, “Militant Group Says It Has Romanian Hostage,” New York Times, May 18, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/19/world/middleeast/militant-group-says-it-has-romanian-hostage.html.
• November 20, 2015: Al-Mourabitoun claims responsibility for a deadly gun and hostage attack on the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, allegedly as part of a joint attack with AQIM. According to U.N. spokesman Olivier Salgado, 21 people were killed in the attack when gunmen stormed the hotel using counterfeit diplomatic license plates.Faith Karimi and Erin Burnett, "Mali hotel attack: Gunmen barged in, shot at 'anything that moved,'" CNN, November 22, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/21/africa/mali-hotel-attack/.
• January 15, 2016: Militants attack a hotel in Burkina Faso and a police station outside of the capital, killing 30 people of 18 nationalities. The attack is believed to be carried out by al-Mourabitoun, in conjunction with AQIM.Nadia Khomami, "Burkina Faso hotel attack: 18 nationalities among dead," Guardian (London), January 16, 2016, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/15/security-forces-battle-suspected-jihadists-in-burkina-faso-capital;
  Jason Burke, "Burkina Faso attack signals spread of Islamist menace," Guardian (London), January 16, 2016, ://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/16/burkina-faso-attack-signals-spread-of-islamist-menace;
  Tim Lister, "Burkina Faso attack demonstrates al Qaeda revival in Africa," CNN, January 16, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/16/world/burkina-faso-attack-al-qaeda/; Drew Hinshaw and Zoumana Wonogo, “Al Qaeda Attacks in Burkina Faso Kill at Least 30,” Wall Street Journal, January 17, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/operation-ends-at-burkina-faso-hotel-seized-by-al-qaeda-1452936866.

Designations

Designations by U.S. Government:

October 24, 2003: The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Mokhtar Belmokhtar a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.“U.S. Designates Three Individuals And One Organization Involved In Terrorism In Algeria,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 24, 2003, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/js944.aspx; “Recent OFAC Actions,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 24, 2003, http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/pages/20031024.aspx.	December 7, 2012: The U.S. Department of State designated the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA, also known by MUJAO) a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224.“Terrorist Designations of the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa, Hamad el Khairy, and Ahmed el Tilemsi,” U.S. Department of State, December 7, 2012, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/12/201660.htm.
December 7, 2012: The U.S. Department of State designated MUJAO leaders Hamad el Khairy and Ahmed el Tilemsi Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order 13224.“Terrorist Designations of the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa, Hamad el Khairy, and Ahmed el Tilemsi,” U.S. Department of State, December 7, 2012, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/12/201660.htm.	December 18, 2013: The U.S. Department of State designated the “al-Mulathamun Battalion” a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity. The State Department included “al-Murabitoun” as an alias of AMB.“Terrorist Designation of the Al-Mulathamum Battalion,” U.S. Department of State, December 18, 2013, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/218880.htm.

Designations by Foreign Governments:

November 7, 2013: Canada designated “al-Muwaqi’un Bil Dima” a terrorist organization.Currently Listed Entities,” Public Safety Canada, last updated March 24, 2014, http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-eng.aspx.	December 5, 2012: New Zealand designated “Mouvement pour l’Unification et le Jihad en Afrique de l’Ouest (MUJAO)” a terrorist organization.“Designated individuals and organisations,” New Zealand Police, May 23, 2015, http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/designated-entities-23-05-2015.pdf.
June 2, 2014: Canada designated “al-Murabitoun” a terrorist organization.Currently Listed Entities,” Public Safety Canada, last updated March 24, 2014, http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-eng.aspx.	June 2, 2014: New Zealand designated al-Mourabitoun a terrorist organization.“Designated individuals and organisations,” New Zealand Police, May 23, 2015, http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/designated-entities-23-05-2015.pdf.
June 2, 2014: Canada designated “Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa” a terrorist organization.Currently Listed Entities,” Public Safety Canada, last updated March 24, 2014, http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-eng.aspx.	June 2, 2014: New Zealand designated al-Mulathomoun a terrorist organization.“Designated individuals and organisations,” New Zealand Police, May 23, 2015, http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/designated-entities-23-05-2015.pdf.
April 2, 2014: The United Arab Emirates designated al-Mourabitoun a terrorist organization.“Government bans three alleged terrorist groups,” BBC Democracy Live, April 2, 2014, http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/house-of-commons-26852754.	June 16, 2014: The United Kingdom added al-Mourabitoun to its list of proscribed terrorist organizations.“Proscribed Terrorist Organizations,” U.K. Home Office, last modified March 27, 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/417888/Proscription-20150327.pdf.
June 2, 2014: The United Nations added al-Mourabitoun to its Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities list.“The List established and maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee,” U.N. Security Council, last updated May 22, 2015, http://www.un.org./sc/committees/1267/1267.pdf/.	November 5, 2014: Australia listed “al-Murabitun” as a terrorist organization.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx.

Associations

Ties to Extremist Entities:

Al-Qaeda Mokhtar Belmokhtar is a former commander in al-Qaeda’s North African franchise, AQIM. He left the group to form the al-Mulathamun Battalion in December 2012.Currently Listed Entities,” Public Safety Canada, last updated March 24, 2014, http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-eng.aspx; Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. MUJAO is also a splinter group of AQIM.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. Al-Mourabitoun coordinated with al-Qaeda and AQIM in its May 2013 attack in Niger.“The List established and maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee,” U.N. Security Council, last updated May 22, 2015, http://www.un.org./sc/committees/1267/1267.pdf/. The United Nations added al-Mourabitoun to its Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities list on June 2, 2014.“The List established and maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee,” U.N. Security Council, last updated May 22, 2015, http://www.un.org./sc/committees/1267/1267.pdf/. Al-Mourabitoun released an online statement declaring al-Qaeda-aligned Belmokhtar its official leader on July 21, 2015. The statement was signed “Al Murabitoon – Al Qaeda in West Africa,”Thomas Joscelyn, “Mokhtar Belmokhtar now leads ‘Al Qaeda in West Africa,” Long War Journal, August 13, 2015, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/08/mokhtar-belmokhtar-now-leads-al-qaeda-in-west-africa.php. signaling the group’s official alignment with al-Qaeda.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Mokhtar Belmokhtar is a former commander in AQIM. He left the group to form the al-Mulathamun Battalion in December 2012.Currently Listed Entities,” Public Safety Canada, last updated March 24, 2014, http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-eng.aspx; Country Reports on Terrorism 2013: Chapter 6: Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, April 2014, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/225886.pdf. MUJAO is also a splinter group of AQIM.“Al-Murabitun,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Al-Murabitun.aspx. Al-Mourabitoun coordinated with al-Qaeda and AQIM in its May 2013 attack in Niger.“The List established and maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee,” U.N. Security Council, last updated May 22, 2015, http://www.un.org./sc/committees/1267/1267.pdf/. Al-Mourabitoun also maintains contact with AQIM leaders, such as Yahia Djouadi, Ahmed Deghdegh, Mohamed Belkalem, Tayeb Nail, and Djamel Akkacha, AQIM’s coordinator of groups associated with AQIM in northern Mali.“The List established and maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee,” U.N. Security Council, last updated May 22, 2015, http://www.un.org./sc/committees/1267/1267.pdf/.

Boko Haram Boko Haram has reportedly provided support to MUJAO.“Boko Haram,” Australian National Security, accessed June 17, 2015, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Boko-Haram.aspx.

ISIS Al-Mourabitoun co-founder Adnan Abu Waleed al-Sahrawi reportedly pledged the group’s allegiance to ISIS in May 2015. A week later, Mokhtar Belmokhtar rejected the pledge.Agence France-Presse, “Belmokhtar's jihadist group in N.Africa vows allegiance to IS,” Yahoo News, May 14, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/al-qaeda-linked-belmokhtar-group-n-africa-claims-001449854.html; Reuters, “Sahara Islamist Leader Belmokhtar Dismisses Islamic State Pledge: Report,” New York Times, May 17, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/05/17/world/africa/17reuters-sahara-militants.html.

Ties to Extremist Individuals:

Ayman al-Zawahiri Al-Mourabitoun co-founder Mokhtar Belmokhtar has repeatedly sworn allegiance to al-Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri.Reuters, “Sahara Islamist Leader Belmokhtar Dismisses Islamic State Pledge: Report,” New York Times, May 17, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/05/17/world/africa/17reuters-sahara-militants.html. The two groups that merged to form al-Mourabitoun, al-Mulathamun and MUJAO, are both AQIM splinter groups.“Terrorist Designation of the Al-Mulathamum Battalion,” U.S. Department of State, December 18, 2013, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/218880.htm.

Abdelmalek Droukdel Droukdel is head of AQIM, which spawned al-Mulathamun and MUJAO. He is one of the leaders with whom al-Mourabitoun maintains contact.“The List established and maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee,” U.N. Security Council, last updated May 22, 2015, http://www.un.org./sc/committees/1267/1267.pdf/.

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