Time Line Sample

1972

Born in Ghardaia, otherwise
known as the gate to the
Sahara.

1989

Adopts jihadism after the
assassination of Al Qaeda
co-founder Abdullah Azzam.

Mokhtar Belmokhtar speaks in a video released by Sahara Media, January 21, 2013.

1991

Joins Al Qaeda-run training
camp in Afghanistan.

Loses left eye during fighting, earning
the nickname "The One Eyed".

Mokhtar Belmokhtar speaks in a video released by Sahara Media, January 21, 2013.

1993

Returns to Algeria, establishes
Katibat Ashahada, an affiliate of
the Armed Islamic Group
(Groupe islamique armé, GIA).

GIA

Algerian veterans returning from Afghanistan
establish GIA, an armed jihadi group bent on
overthrowing the state.

Mokhtar Belmokhtar speaks in a video released by Sahara Media, January 21, 2013.

1995

Appointed GIA commander of
the Algerian Sahara.

GIA

Mokhtar Belmokhtar speaks in a video released by Sahara Media, January 21, 2013.

1998

Leaves GIA for the Salafist
Group for Preaching and
Combat (Groupe salafiste pour
la prédication et le combat,
GSPC)

GSPC

Rejecting GIA's extreme violence against civilians,
many militants split off to form GSPC.

GIA

Mokhtar Belmokhtar speaks in a video released by Sahara Media, January 21, 2013.

2002

Escapes capture, seeks refuge
in northern Mali.

GSPC

GIA

Mokhtar Belmokhtar speaks in a video released by Sahara Media, January 21, 2013.

2003

Begins kidnapping Westerners
for ransom.

In one instance, the German government
reportedly pays more than US$5.5 million
to release European hostages.

GSPC

GIA

Mokhtar Belmokhtar in a self-released video, 2013. YouTube

2005

Plans attack on Mauritanian
barracks, the first military target
outside Algeria.

GSPC

GIA

Mokhtar Belmokhtar in a self-released video, 2013. YouTube

2007

Emerges as key figure in Al
Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
(AQIM).

AQIM

GSPC rebrands to AQIM partly due to Belmokhtar
having sought Osama bin Laden's support for GSPC's
rapprochement with Al Qaeda.

GSPC

GIA

Mokhtar Belmokhtar in a self-released video, 2013. YouTube

2012

Breaks away from AQIM to lead
with his Masked Men Brigade,
after receiving criticism over
independent operations.

Having forged strong, personal alliances
with Sahel clans, Belmokhtar impedes
AQIM's ability to mobilise said groups
without his involvement.

AQIM

GSPC

GIA

An Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Tuareg militant, the
Sahel, January 2012. Flickr

2013

Masterminds attack on
Tiguentourine gas plant, near In
Amenas. Merges the Masked Men
Brigade with the Movement for
the Unity and Jihad in West Africa
(MUJAO) to form Al
Mourabitoun.

37 hostages and 29 militants are killed
during the initial attack and subsequent raid
by security forces.

MUJAO

MUJAO emerges in 2011 as an offshoot of AQIM,
whose leadership is dominated by Algerians.

AQIM

GSPC

GIA

Fighters from Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the wealthiest jihadist group in North Africa, spell out the word 'shehada' using weapons and ammunition, 2013. Voice of America

2015

Falsely reported to have been
killed in Libya. Reconciles with
AQIM after planning joint attack
on hotel in Mali's capital,
Bamako.

Having been reported dead on numerous
occasions, earns himself another title,
"Ghost of the Sahara”.

Al Mourabitoun and AQIM

In reaction to foreign intervention and growing
competition from other jihadi groups such as Daesh,
AQIM announces its support for Al Mourabitoun.

MUJAO

AQIM

GSPC

GIA

A portrait of Mokhtar Belmokhtar by Thierry Ehrmann,
2013. Flickr

2016

As of May, believed to be alive
and remains at large.

Al Mourabitoun and AQIM

MUJAO

AQIM

GSPC

GIA

A portrait of Mokhtar Belmokhtar by Thierry Ehrmann,
2013. Flickr