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North Africa: al-Qaeda

Volume 494: debated on Monday 15 June 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the strength of al-Qaeda in North Africa. (279373)

Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQ-M) represents a significant terrorist threat in north Africa and the Sahara. Exact numbers are unclear, but estimates suggest a strength of around a thousand. AQ-M has the intent and capability to carry out terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings and kidnappings, against both regional and western, including British, interests. AQ-M claimed responsibility for the murder of a British citizen, Edwin Dyer, around 1 June 2009.