Algeria is hosting a meeting of seven Maghreb countries in Algiers with the aim to “implement a collective strategy” in halting Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb’s illicit activities in the Sahara and Sahel. Additionally, they want to share information in the fight against transnational drug cartels that transport drugs through their countries. Due to a long-running feud over the Western Sahara, Morocco has not been invited. Meanwhile, Algeria has launched a military offfensive against AQIM.
