The terrorism that Tunisia experienced in the 1980s erupted in Algeria in the 1990s. The wave of terrorist activity later spread west to Morroco. Then in 2005 Mauritania to the south became engulfed in the political violence sweeping north Africa. On June 4, in a first assualt against the army, some 150 terrorists attacked a military barracks in the Lemgheity region. The outcome was 15 soldiers dead and 15 wounded. Six terrorists were killed. The country was plunged into turmoil. The attack was widely condemned by Mauritania’s political partes, whose members took to the streets to voice their anger. Just two days later, the US administration, which had planned to make Mauritania a barrier against the spread of terrorism, launched operation Flintlock. Its aim was to support Mauritania in the fight against terrorism. France was at first opposed to American intervention in what was traditionally its area of influence. But, according to diplomatic sources, Paris accepted it, not wanting to be in the frontline of an anti-terrorism battle. Then the US withdrew its military cooperation with Mauritania after General Abdel Aziz seized control in a military coup August 2008. Terrorism had not been completely rooted out. The gunmen struck in December 2007 near Ghalaouiya, killing three soldiers and again in February 2008. The Israeli embassy,which had never been targeted since diplomatic relations were established in 1999, was attacked. Three French citizens were injured. General Abdel Aziz ordered the embassy to be closed after Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. More assualts against the army were to follow. Twelve soldiers were killed in an ambush in September. Their bodies were decapitated. Western intelligence services reported Al Qaeda had numerous members embedded in Mauritania. Some characterised this entire region of Africa as the new Afghanistan — a ...