Terrorist groups - home based:
al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM):
aim(s): overthrow various African regimes and replace them with one ruled by sharia; establish a regional Islamic caliphate across all of North and West Africa
area(s) of operation: leadership headquartered in Algeria; operates in Tunisia and Libya
note: al-Qa'ida's affiliate in North Africa; Tunisia-based branch known as the Uqbah bin Nafi Battalion; Mali-based cadre merged with allies to form JNIM in March 2017, which pledged allegiance to AQIM and al-Qa'ida (April 2018)
Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia (AAS-T):
aim(s): expand its influence in Tunisia and, ultimately, replace the Tunisian Government with sharia
area(s) of operation: headquartered in Tunisia; members instigate riots and violent demonstrations and engage in attacks, targeting Tunisian Military personnel, Tunisian politicians, religious sites, and Western interests (April 2018)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) network in Tunisia (to include pro-ISIS cells and designated Jund al-Khilafah (JAK-T)):
aim(s): replace the Tunisian Government with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of sharia
area(s) of operation: Tunisian ISIS fighters stage attacks just across the border in Libya against government facilities and personnel and foreign tourists in Tunisia (April 2018)