Algerian and Other Problems

Abstract

On the morning of 24 December 1994 at Houari Boumedienne Airport, Algiers, an Air France Airbus 300, flight number 8969, was on the tarmac boarding its last passengers when four hijackers dressed in Air France uniforms drove up to the aircraft. Posing as cleaning staff, they went aboard and mingled with the passengers. Once loading had been completed they showed themselves, produced weapons and took over radio communication with the control tower. They declared that all on board (227 passengers and 12 crew), had been taken hostage and demanded the release of two imprisoned leaders of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS — Front Islamique du Salut). The hijackers were members of the hardline Armed Islamic Group (GIA, Groupe Islamique Arme). Both the FIS and the GIA were in open rebellion against the Algerian government and cooperated with each other occasionally.