 On 23 March 2010, a major sandstorm hit Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, and inland Sierra Leone.Another struck in southern Algeria, inland Mauritania, Mali, and northern Ivory Coast at the same time.Terrorist organizations including Boko Haram and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) operating in the Sahel have contributed to the violence, extremism and instability of the region.