France in the sight of Al-Qaeda and AQIM

France's colonial history is reported to have attracted the anger of AQIM and Al-Qaeda, which in the latest years has broadened his attacks to a number of US allies. While the threat of home-grown terrorism seems to be minor, the anti-terrorism department is warning its citizens that some "lone wolf" operatives may be present on French soil, and that there is a high probability that 2011 will see some North-African cells of the infamous organization testing the security apparatus protecting the country. Particularly, AQIM - a cell that traces its roots to Algeria - has been particularly active lately and although it is independent from Al-Qaeda, it shares its ideologies and is allegedly trying to use the pressure exercised by this group to its advantage, trying to penetrate a defensive system that is already stressed by Bin Laden's threats. "AQIM has declared its ideological allegiance to Osama bin Laden and shown its hostility to France through anti-French rhetoric and a series of hostage-takings." (Reuters, 2011).
In July, after the execution of a 78 years old French hostage, Bin Laden endorsed the operations of AQIM during a recorded speech, boosting their prestige and morale. They may now seek to further impress their ideological leader through a high-profile attack on French soil.
Although counter terrorism units believe this cell is too weak to carry out an attack of this proportions, the risk remains and it is undeniable that the new "weak-minded" members recruited through "radicalised" speeches and arguments of religious nature, will keep on draining the economical and mental resources of Western countries that will have to deal with these threats for the decades to come. Never being allowed to lower guard or afford a distraction is a very tough challenge that will test the defence systems to the extreme in the following years.


Vieri