Algeria is battling a vicious attack on its oil & gas infrastructure
from terrorists whose aims remain unknown. Many foreigners have been taken hostage
which includes many western citizens. Given the history of Algeria’s militantpast and two decade insurgency (which started when Islamic Front won the
elections but was forced away from taking over the government) , it is not uncommon
for the country to face terrorist attacks. But it is the first time that an oil
& gas installation has been attacked and such a large number of foreign
hostages have been taken hostage.
There could be three possible reasons for this and any other
attacks that are country happening in Islamic Maghreb.
1.
The installation in question is near the borderbetween Algeria & Libya which gives rise to the possibility that attackers,
though thought to be mostly Algerian nationals, came from Libya. Gaffafi’s government was staunchly against militant Islam and by killing him; West has
left a large vacuum & swath of ungoverned land in Sahara desert. It will take
years for Libya to bring de -facto city states all over coastal Libya under
control of the central government but until that time, these rebels will find
refuge with their sympathizers within Libya.
2.
There is also the Mali factor. France with the
help of Britain has launched an offensive in Northern Mali to save the whole
country from falling in the hands of Islamist rebels who initially wanted independence
for Tuareg areas but now are aiming to capture whole of Mali. That presented a
very acute challenge for the West and especially for France which has a long colonial
history with Mali. Given the fact that this attack started with days of French
offensive could signal that attackers were trying to prove a point and making
sure that West knows the price it may have pay to for thwarting an Islamisttakeover in Mali.
3.
The fact that all pro west government are
managing to hang on but all the anti west governments (apart from Egypt) are
under attack by the so called Arab Spring has spread resentment all over the
Muslim world and it is thought rightly or wrongly that most of these
revolutions are manufactured revolutions to target any governments who are perceived
to be anti western in their outlook. Regime change seems to be only happening where
it is convenient.
It may not ever be possible for the outside
world to know what triggered this attack as all those who took part in this
attack will be killed and even if any of them are captured, it may not be
convenient for the government of Algeria to give out all the details of reasons
behind this attack.
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