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| Africa North |
| Belmokhtar defection weakens al-Qaeda |
| 2013-10-08 |
| [MAGHAREBIA] Mokhtar Belmokhtar's split from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) raises questions about the overall strength of the parent organization, analysts say. In late August, al-Qaeda splinter group Katibat El Moulethemoune ("Brigade of the Veiled Ones") led by Belmokhtar (real name Khaled Abou El Abass) joined forces with the Movement for Tawhid and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) to create the "Mourabitounes". To local experts, the move looks like the only option left for jihadists ostracised by al-Qaeda's Maghreb leadership. The former AQIM commander had already been cut off by the organization. |
| Posted by:Fred |