AP IMPACT: In Algeria, al-Qaida extends franchise

AP IMPACT: In Algeria, al-Qaida extends franchise

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DRAA BEN KHEDDA, Algeria (AP) — 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.

The al-Qaida of the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, is perhaps the best example of how a

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This is an in depth local report on the daily fight against an Al Qaida affiliated unit AQIM, with some locals perspective on their fight against their members.

One interesting quote from a local there:

"They're not al-Qaida, they're just a mafia."

Could this be true? Just a loosely organized crime family?

Whether they are or not, this article does give a perspective not often seen on the MSM.

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(visit the link for the full news article)