Abdelmalek Droukdel

Algerian national Abdelmalek Droukdel, nom de guerre Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud, was the emir (leader) of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). According to the U.S. Treasury, Droukdel encouraged other jihadist groups to join al-Qaeda.“Treasury Designates AQIM Emir,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 4, 2007, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/hp708.aspx. He was trained in building explosives and is believed to have introduced suicide bombings to Algeria.“Algeria al-Qaeda chief Droukdel sentenced in absentia,” BBC News, March 13, 2012, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-17359310.> Droukdel reportedly named his mentor as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader who was killed by a U.S. airstrike in 2006.Boubker Belkadi, “Ruthless chief, head of Al-Qaeda's NAfrica branch,” Middle East Online, December 13, 2007, http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=23510. The U.N. Security Council and the U.S. Treasury designated Droukdel as a terrorist in 2007."QI.D.232.07. ABDELMALEK DROUKDEL," United Nations Security Council, accessed Mary 4, 2015, http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/NSQDi232E.shtml; “Executive Order 13224 blocking Terrorist Property and a summary of the Terrorism Sanctions Regulations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, accessed March 5, 2015, http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/terror.pdf. French soldiers killed Droukdel in Mali in June 2020.Agence France-Presse, “French troops kill Al-Qaeda’s North Africa chief Abdelmalek Droukdel,” Telangana Today, June 6, 2020, https://telanganatoday.com/french-troops-kill-al-qaedas-north-africa-chief-abdelmalek-droukdel.

Between 1989 and 1993, Droukdel studied mathematics at the University of Blida in Algeria.“Northern Africa’s Most Wanted,” Counter Terror Business, accessed October 3, 2018, http://www.counterterrorbusiness.com/node/12624. In 1993, he began working with the Movement of the Islamic State (MEI), and then rose through the ranks of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC).“Movement of the Islamic State (MEI),” Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium, accessed October 4, 2018, https://www.trackingterrorism.org/group/movement-islamic-state-mei; “QDi 232. ABDELMALEK DROUKDEL,” United Nations Security Council, accessed October 3, 2018, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/abdelmalek-droukdel; AQAP, “Train Derail Operations,” Inspire, July 2017, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/inspire-magazine-17.pdf He assumed leadership of the GSPC in June 2004 and initiated the merger with al-Qaeda in 2006 to form AQIM. Droukdel served as emir of AQIM since then until his death in June 2020.“QDi 232. ABDELMALEK DROUKDEL,” United Nations Security Council, accessed October 3, 2018, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/abdelmalek-droukdel; Agence France-Presse, “French troops kill Al-Qaeda’s North Africa chief Abdelmalek Droukdel,” Telangana Today, June 6, 2020, https://telanganatoday.com/french-troops-kill-al-qaedas-north-africa-chief-abdelmalek-droukdel.

Droukdel had been described as tough and strong-minded, and reportedly subscribed to a mix of political Islam and Arab nationalism. He had also been characterized as charismatic with excellent public speaking abilities.Abdel Bari Atwan, The Secret History of Al Qaeda, (University of California Press, 2008), 235-240. Depicted as ruthless and ambitious, Droukdel had purportedly eliminated members in AQIM’s ranks who diverted from his instructions or ideological positions.“Northern Africa’s Most Wanted,” Counter Terror Business, accessed October 3, 2018, http://www.counterterrorbusiness.com/node/12624. Unlike other al-Qaeda leaders, Droukdel did not trained in al-Qaeda camps in Yemen or Afghanistan, nor did he receive education in foreign madrassas (religious schools).Abdel Bari Atwan, The Secret History of Al Qaeda, (University of California Press, 2008), 235-240.

Nonetheless, Droukdel developed advanced skills in manufacturing explosives and electrical devices.AQAP, “Train Derail Operations,” Inspire, July 2017, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/inspire-magazine-17.pdf. In 2007, Droukdel established a unit that specialized in suicide bombings and introduced the tactic in Algeria.Boubker Belkadi, “Ruthless chief, head of Al-Qaeda's NAfrica branch,” Middle East Online, December 13, 2007, https://web.archive.org/web/20171224214326/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=23510; “Northern Africa’s Most Wanted,” Counter Terror Business, accessed October 3, 2018, http://www.counterterrorbusiness.com/node/12624.

Droukdel organized dozens of bombings across Algeria against both security and civilian targets, including the April 11, 2007, bombing of government offices in Algiers that claimed 33 lives and the December 11, 2007, attack on the United Nations office in Algiers that killed at least 26 people including 11 U.N. personnel.“QDi 232. ABDELMALEK DROUKDEL,” United Nations Security Council, accessed October 3, 2018, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/abdelmalek-droukdel; “11 UN workers among 26 killed in Algeria blasts,” CBC News, December 11, 2007, http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/11-un-workers-among-26-killed-in-algeria-blasts-1.636919. The April 2007 attack was the first suicide bombing in Algeria’s history.“Algeria Al-Qaeda Chief Droukdel Sentenced in Absentia,” BBC News, March 13, 2012, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-17359310. According to Algerian terrorism expert Faycal Oukaci, “Droukdel’s strategy involves two main points: attacks with explosives and a large amount of media attention on suicide attacks.”Boubker Belkadi, “Ruthless chief, head of Al-Qaeda's NAfrica branch,” Middle East Online, December 13, 2007, https://web.archive.org/web/20171224214326/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=23510.

In March 27, 2007, the tribunal of Tizi-Ouzu in northern Algeria sentenced Droukdel to life imprisonment in absentia for his involvement in terrorist activities.“QDi 232. ABDELMALEK DROUKDEL,” United Nations Security Council, accessed October 3, 2018, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/abdelmalek-droukdel. A court in Algiers sentenced Droukdel to death in absentia five years later for premeditated murder, membership in a terrorist group, and attacks using explosives.“Death sentence in absentia for al Qaeda North Africa chief,” TimesLIVE, March 13, 2012, https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2012-03-13-death-sentence-in-absentia-for-al-qaeda-north-africa-chief/.

Beginning in October 2011, Droukdel provided military, financial, and logistical support to Ansar Dine—a Malian Islamic militant group—to increase AQIM’s territorial influence in northern Mali.“QDi 232. ABDELMALEK DROUKDEL,” United Nations Security Council, accessed October 3, 2018, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/abdelmalek-droukdel; Stanford University, “Mapping Militant Organizations – Ansar Dine,”, August 8, 2016, http://web.stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/view/437. Under Droukdel’s leadership, AQIM formed an alliance with Ansar Dine and MUJAO (Mouvement pour l’Unification et le Jihad en Afrique de l’Ouest) in November 2015 to fight against the French and Malian militaries.“QDi 232. ABDELMALEK DROUKDEL,” United Nations Security Council, accessed October 3, 2018, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/abdelmalek-droukdel.

In October 2016, Algerian newspaper L’Expression reported that Algerian security services confirmed that Droukdel had managed to infiltrate Tunisia, with the substantial assistance of anonymous facilitators and financiers. Prior to his reported escape to Tunisia, Droukdel had allegedly been hiding in the Skikda Province, in northeast Algeria.Ikram Ghioua, “Les dessous d’un regain terroriste aux frontières et les alertes de l’algérie,” L’Expression (Algeria), October 18, 2016, http://www.tamoudre.org/geostrategie/terrorisme-geostrategie/dessous-dun-regain-terroriste-aux-frontieres-alertes-de-lalgerieet-lon-reparle-de-droukdel/. In January 2018, the same newspaper confirmed Droukdel’s residency in Tunisia. L’Expression reported that Algerian security services had prevented a meeting among senior AQIM leaders, which was aimed at restructuring the group’s ranks and preparing for Droukdel’s return to Algeria.Ikram Ghioua “Les terroristes de Khenchela sous la coupe de Droukdel,” L’Expression (Algeria), January 28, 2018, http://www.lexpressiondz.com/actualite/284964-les-terroristes-de-khenchela-sous-la-coupe-de-droukdel.html. The Algerian armed forces increasingly decimated AQIM’s ranks over recent years, and Droukdel lost members of his inner circle.Malek Bachir and Akram Kharief, “ANALYSIS: The slow death of al-Qaeda in Algeria,” February 1, 2018, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/analysis-slow-death-al-qaeda-algeria-143324001.

Droukdel regularly issued audio and video propaganda messages.“Wadud, Abu Musab Abdul, (Abdelmalek Droukdel),” Site Intelligence, accessed October 5, 2018, https://ent.siteintelgroup.com/index.php?option=com_customproperties&task=tag&tagId=431&phpMyAdmin=31%20%20b32de8000cb1c40d5792b21dc9961a. In July 2017, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) published an exclusive interview with Droukdel in its 17th issue of Inspire magazine, where he urged Muslims to wage jihad in Western and francophone countries. Droukdel also justified al-Qaeda’s battle against the United States in general.AQAP, “Train Derail Operations,” Inspire, July 2017, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/inspire-magazine-17.pdf.

On June 4, 2020, French troops killed Droukdel in Talhandak, Mali, near the Algerian border. The United States provided intelligence that helped the French soldiers locate Droukdel.Agence France-Presse, “French troops kill Al-Qaeda’s North Africa chief Abdelmalek Droukdel,” Telangana Today, June 6, 2020, https://telanganatoday.com/french-troops-kill-al-qaedas-north-africa-chief-abdelmalek-droukdel.

Also Known As

Extremist entity
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
Read Threat Report
Type(s) of Organization:
Insurgent, non-state actor, religious, terrorist, transnational, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
Position(s):
Former AQIM emir (leader), in charge of Algeria (deceased)

Al-Qaeda’s North African branch, AQIM, operates in Algeria, Mali, Niger, Libya, Mauritania, and Tunisia. The group has executed numerous violent attacks in North and West Africa. The group is also known for its extensive history of kidnapping and extortion. 

  • Designations
  • Rhetoric

United Nations

  • The United Nations Security Council listed Abdelmalek Droukdel as an individual associated with al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb on August 27, 2007. “QI.D.232.07. ABDELMALEK DROUKDEL,” United Nations Security Council, accessed May 4, 2015, http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/NSQDi232E.shtml.

European Union

France

United States

July 2017

“There is little doubt that [lone] Jihad enrages the disbelievers even more when a revert from their own race or nationality carries out such an operation […] This is enraging for the enemies of Islam because it proves that Islam transcends their narrow nationalism and a Muslim’s loyalty is to his Religion and not to his homeland. […] This is one of the weak spots in which there is enragement of the disbelievers. It is a way of attaining great reward…”AQAP, “Train Derail Operations,” Inspire, July 2017, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/inspire-magazine-17.pdf.

July 2017

“Every Muslim must thus realize that Jihad against these apostate puppet regimes is part of Jihad against France, and liberation from these regimes is liberation from France.”AQAP, “Train Derail Operations,” Inspire, July 2017, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/inspire-magazine-17.pdf.

July 2017

“When it comes to Islam and Muslims, there are no hawks and doves among American politicians. In terms of their enmity for Islam, they are all equal. The difference that does exist is that some are open and frank in expressing their hostility, while others conceal and deceive […] Democrats and Republicans, are serpents carrying lethal venom, but the former prefers a gentle delicate façade, while the latter reveals its true colors.”AQAP, “Train Derail Operations,” Inspire, July 2017, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/inspire-magazine-17.pdf.

Feb. 2013

“It is a new ring from the chain of Zio-crusader invasion to the Muslim land, …we are today before an important historical moment where once again lying is circulated to the world and the methods of satanic deception is reproduced, for a moment we return back with our memory to the days that preceded the invasion of Iraq to remind us of the biggest American lie promoted by Bush and Colin Powell to mobilize for the war? Do you remember it? It is the lie of the chemical weapons, and that Saddam has a close link to Al-Qaeda and Zarqawi.” (Video Speech)Casey Britton, “AQIM: Invasion of Mali… A French proxy war - Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud,” World Analysis, Last Modified February 10, 2012, http://worldanalysis.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2191.

Jul. 2008

“We will strive to strike them whenever we can. And we are sure that America is going to lose its war against us like it lost it against Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s America that is unfair and that started evil and injustice…we will not hesitate in targeting it whenever we can and wherever it is on this planet.” (New York Times Interview)“An Interview with Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html?pagewanted=all.

Jul. 1, 2008

“Why shouldn’t we join our brothers while almost all these nations got united against the Muslims and separated them, and divided their land, and took away Al Aksa mosque out of their hands, and consumed their goodness, and destroyed their morals?” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“[L]ook at the crimes that happen in Gaza and Iraq and Afghanistan, and Somalia and others places. These crimes are committed by the Jew-crusader ally.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“Unity is a reason of strength and victory. This is a universal norm that even the infidels are aware of.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“[B]y this unity [merging with al-Qaeda] we brought grief and sorrow to our enemies the Jews and apostates and crusaders.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“We hope that we got our God’s pleasure, and the confidence of our nation, and that we made terrorized our enemy.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“[M]ost of the Muslims including those residing in Europe are against the crusade war lead by America, and they hate the Arab regimes that are working as agents and that crushed their people and sold the Palestinian cause in the give-up market.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“European government started judging the Muslims about their intentions and their sympathy with the Muslims’ causes. This comes from the crusade’s religious hate that moves the West, and that blew up all the bright slogans that they hold dear, such as freedom, forgiveness, human rights and justice, those slogans that they hurt our hearing with for years.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“God says, “And fight them on until there is no more persecution, and religion becomes God’s in its entirety.” (Chapter 8, Verse 39) Our first goal is the arbitration of the Lord of the world’s law, and the achievement of the servitude to God.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“[W]e seek to liberate the Islamic Maghreb from the sons of France and Spain and from all symbols of treason and employment for the outsiders, and protect it from the foreign greed and the crusader’s hegemony.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“When we carried arms we declared that we are fighting the crusaders’ agents among those rulers who came out against Islam and committed crimes of corruption and tyranny and treason against the religion and the nation.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“[W]e want to bring back the place of Islam in the country and the ruling of the Koran over the people.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“[D]id America leave us any choice with this flagrant aggression? No doubt that the answer is going to be no. Therefore, it became our right and our duty to push away with all our strength this crusade campaign and declare clearly that the American interests are legitimate targets to us.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“We will strive to strike [Americans] whenever we can. And we are sure that America is going to loose (sic) its war against us like it lost it against Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s America that is unfair and that started evil and injustice.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“[In response to the question, ‘Do you intend to carry out any attacks on American soil?’] If the U.S. administration sees that its war against the Muslims is legitimate, then what makes us believe that our war on its territories is not legitimate?” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“Everyone must know that we will not hesitate in targeting it whenever we can and wherever it is on this planet.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“We sacrifice our souls and blood to defend you [Muslims] and to protect you from the sons of France and the agents of America. Our nation must know that we are in a war against the apostates and their crusader masters.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“America or other than America will not frighten us, but we never underestimate the reason. We do strive to make the right plans to face this evil alliance against Islam and the Muslims. America must know that when it gets involved in a war with the sons of Youssouf ibn Tachfine and the grand children of Tarik ibn Ziyad, then the region will turn on fire under America’s feet, if God permits it. We will mobilize the sons of the Islamic Maghreb in order to soak the nose of the Americans in the mud, and put into their account that’s already filled with defeats, another defiance.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“We believe that our greatest achievement is that the jihad is sill (sic) continuing in the Islamic Maghreb for 16 years. And today it is developing and climbing.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jul. 1, 2008

“Today, we receive a lot of requests from some Muslims who want to do martyrdom operations. In Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia we see Muslim youths who support our matter, they are ready to sacrifice themselves and their money for the sake of supporting Islam. We consider this as one of our greatest achievements.” “An Interview With Abdelmalek Droukdal,” New York Times, July 1, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/africa/01transcript-droukdal.html.

Jan. 2007

“[F]ight the nationals of France and the agents of the crusaders occupying our land.” Craig S. Smith, “Qaeda Affiliate in Algeria Kills 6 as Bombs Strike Police Stations,” New York Times, February 14, 2007, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/14/world/africa/14algeria.html.

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Fact:

On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers. 

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