Algeria: Information on the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) and its possible involvement in violent and terrorist activities
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | DZA19684.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Algeria: Information on the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) and its possible involvement in violent and terrorist activities, 1 February 1995, DZA19684.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad1518.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Please consult the attachments from Revolutionary Movements and Islam and Islamic Groups for general information on the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS).
The FIS was banned in Algeria in March 1992 after Algeria's military intervened and cancelled the 1991-1992 elections which the FIS was poised to win (AFP 2 Oct. 1994; The Economist 24 Sept. 1994, 45; Middle East Mar. 1994, 16).
Please consult the following attachments for examples of FIS involvement in terrorist activities: ENTV Television Network of 27 October 1994, AFP of 31 Dec. 1994 and Middle East International (MEI) of 30 April 1993 and 14 April 1993. Although AFP reports that an FIS member was involved in the Air France Airbus hijacking of 24 December 1994, according to MEI, the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) was responsible (AFP 31 Dec. 1994; MEI 6 Jan. 1995, 9).
According to Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran broadcast, the Islamic Army for the Salvation of Algeria (ISA), the military wing of the FIS, has stated that as a result of the cooperation between France and Algeria during the Air France Airbus hijacking, "the fight against France is now a religious obligation" (31 Dec. 1994).
The FIS is also reportedly responsible for making death threats against and killing Algerian journalists; as a result of these incidents, approximately 200 Algerian journalists now live in France (Middle East Feb. 1995, 5). Furthermore, according to a March 1994 article from Middle East, FIS activists have used violence to discourage Algerian men from performing the obligatory military service (Middle East, 17).
According to MEI, the FIS is "opposed to attacks against those not involved with the government or in security operations," as well as against Algerians, civilians or foreigners. Instead it is concentrating "its attacks against the security forces and government officials in an attempt to pressure the authorities into negotiations" (5 Aug. 1994, 14). However, according to two September 1994 MEI reports, FIS party leaders indicated they would be willing to call off their armed campaign if they were permitted to participate in the negotiations (23 Sept. 1994, 9-10; ibid. 9 Sept. 1994, 12).
In late 1994 the FIS was invited to participate in talks aimed at ending the confrontation between Algeria's military rulers and the fundamentalists (AFP 2 Oct. 1994; The Economist 14 Jan. 1995, 41; MEI 7 Jan. 1994, 11). However, there appears to be a division between the FIS leadership in exile, which has shown a willingness to enter into the talks, and the underground leadership in Algeria, which has "called on its militants to continue the armed struggle" (MEI 7 Jan. 1994, 11-12). Furthermore, talks between the government and the FIS have periodically broken down (MEI 18 Nov. 1994, 10; The Economist 14 Jan. 1995, 41; IHT 23 Jan. 1995).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 31 December 1994. "Hijacker Said One of Tazult Prison Escapees." (FBIS-NES-95-002 4 Jan. 1995, p. 20)
_____. 2 October 1994. "Former FIS Leader to Head GIA." (FBIS-NES-94-191 3 Oct. 1994, p. 15)
The Economist [London]. 14 January 1995. "Algeria: A Whisper from the Cloisters."
_____. 24 September 1994. "Algeria: Two Extremes, One Voice."
International Herald Tribune (IHT) [Paris]. 23 January 1995. Youssef M. Ibrahim. "Radical Groups Reject Algeria Peace Accord." (NEXIS)
The Middle East [London]. February 1995. No. 242. "Journalists in the Front Line."
_____. March 1994. No. 232. "Algeria: Army Thrust into the Front Line."
Middle East International (MEI) [London]. 6 January 1995. No. 491. George Joffe. "Algeria: The GIA attacks France."
_____. 18 November 1994. No. 488. Alfred Hermida. "Algeria: Talks Break Down."
_____. 23 September 1994. No. 484. Alfred Hermida. "Algeria: FIS Leaders Released."
_____. 9 September 1994. No. 483. Alfred Hermida. "Algeria: Talk of a Truce."
_____. 5 August 1994. No. 481. Alfred Hermida. "Algeria: Fundamentalist Rivalry."
_____. 7 January 1994. No. 466. Alfred Hermida. "Algeria: Talks in the Balance."
Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran [Tehran, in English]. 31 December 1994. "FIS: Fighting Against France 'Obligation.'" (FBIS-NES-95-001 3 Jan. 1995, p. 19)
Attachments
Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 31 December 1994. "Hijacker Said One of Tazult Prison Escapees." (FBIS-NES-95-002 4 Jan. 1995, p. 20)
_____. 2 October 1994. "Former FIS Leader to Head GIA." (FBIS-NES-94-191 3 Oct. 1994, p. 15)
The Economist [London]. 14 January 1995. "Algeria: A Whisper from the Cloisters," p. 41.
ENTV Television Network [Algiers, in Arabic]. 27 October 1994. "FIS 'Terrorist' Killed in Bou Saada." (FBIS-NES-94-209 28 Oct. 1994, p. 10)
Islam and Islamic Groups: A Worldwide Reference Group. 1992. Edited by Farzana Shaikh. London: Longman Group UK, pp. 13-14.
The Middle East [London]. February 1995. No. 242. "Journalists in the Front Line," p. 5.
_____. March 1994. No. 232. "Algeria: Army Thrust into the Front Line," pp. 16-17.
Middle East International (MEI) [London]. 5 August 1994. No. 481. Alfred Hermida. "Algeria: Fundamentalist Rivalry," pp. 13-14.
_____. 7 January 1994. No. 466. Alfred Hermida. "Algeria: Talks in the Balance," pp. 11-12.
_____. 8 October 1993. No. 460. Alfred Hermida. "Algeria: FIS in Disarray," p. 11.
_____. 30 April 1993. No. 449. Jacky Rowland. "Algeria: Death of a Chieftain," p. 9.
_____. 14 April 1993. No. 450. Alfred Hermida. "Algeria: Trials and Consultations," p. 13.
Middle East Report (MER) [Washington, DC]. July-August 1994. No. 189. Hugh Roberts. "Algeria Between Eradicators and Conciliators," pp. 24-27.
Reuters. 30 January 1995. BC Cycle. Lamine Ghanmi. "Algiers Car Bomb Kills at least 38, Wounds 256: Radio." (NEXIS)
Revolutionary and Dissident Movements: An International Guide. 1991. 3rd ed. London: Longman Group UK, pp. 8-9.
Additional Sources Consulted
Amnesty International Report. Yearly. 1993, 1994.
Arabies [Paris]. Monthly. 1993 to present.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Yearly. 1993, 1994.
The Europa World Year Book. Yearly. 1994.
Freedom in the World: The Annual Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties, 1992-1993 [New York]. Yearly. 1993.
Human Rights Watch World Report [New York]. Yearly. 1993, 1994.
Islam and Islamic Groups: A Worldwide Reference Guide. 1992.
The Middle East [London]. Monthly. 1993 to present.
Middle East International [London]. Fortnightly. 1993 to present.
Middle East Report [Washington, DC]. Bi-monthly. 1992 to present.
News from Middle East Watch [New York]. 1991.
Religion in Politics: A World Guide. 1989.
Revolutionary and Dissident Movements: An International Guide. 1991.
On-line search of media sources.
