SAM has long been a target of Islamic counter-terrorism forces . Analysts believe the attack is too sophisticated to have been planned in the mid 1990s . Belmoktar earns the nickname Emir of the Sahel -- the `` two -eyed '' -- after a battlefield injury . In February 2012 , a cache of SAM missiles - looted from Libyan armories - was discovered buried in the desert not far from In Amenas . He allegedly is involved in smuggling drugs , weapon and people .
SAM has long been a target of Islamic counter-terrorism forces . Analysts believe the attack is too sophisticated to have been planned in the mid 1990s . Belmoktar earns the nickname Emir of the Sahel -- the `` two -eyed '' -- after a battlefield injury . He allegedly is involved in smuggling drugs , weapon and people .