Algeria sent military equipment to Mali in early May ahead of a planned joint counter-terrorism operation. The equipment includes fuel, weapons and bivouac (camping) kit, according to Algerian press sources. The reports speculate that the operation, for which a start date or timeline was not given, could also involve neighbouring countries Niger and Mauritania. The operation will target militants belonging to the Al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the terrorist group responsible for numerous attacks in the region, principally in Algeria.rnAQIM emerged from the former Algerian-based Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (Groupe Salafiste pour la Predication et le Combat: GSPC). Algeria remains the focus of operations for the group as it continues to target Algerian military and security forces and other state institutions.
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