al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is a militant Islamist group that operates primarily in North Africa. It was formed in 2007 as a branch of al-Qaeda, aiming to establish an Islamic state in the region. AQIM is known for its involvement in terrorism, kidnappings, and attacks against military and civilian targets. The group has its roots in the GIA (Armed Islamic Group) of Algeria, which fought against the Algerian government in the 1990s. Over the years, AQIM has expanded its activities to include drug trafficking and smuggling, often collaborating with local criminal organizations to fund its operations.