Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA/MUJAO)
Following a power struggle within AQIM, Hamad el Khairy, a Mauritanian, established MUJWA in September 2011 as an Al-Qaida affiliate focused on West Africa. Before the split, el Khairy was responsible for planning AQIM terrorist operations in Mauritania. Another founding leader, an Algerian named Ahmed el Tilemsi, also belonged to AQIM. He participated in AQIM's abduction of two French nationals in Niamey, Niger, in January 2011, according to the U.S. State Dept. Most MUJWA members are...