Since protests broke out in Algeria in late February 2019 against the country’s president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was standing for a fifth term, there have been large demonstrations demanding freedom and democracy.
A new generation is challenging the ruling military elite, and on April 2 the wheelchair-bound leader finally stepped down after two decades in power.
Less widely known is the fact that Al-Qaeda has been using the latest protests in the Arab world as a new opportunity to win over disgruntled Muslims and exploit their appetite for change.
Al-Qaeda and its affiliates have released four messages since the demonstrations began, showering the protesters with praise, adopting a conciliatory rather than an overtly jihadist tone and even offering operational guidance.
