Unlike the GIA, the AIS fought security forces instead of civilians and conducted guerrilla warfare.

The AIS tried to control territories and gained some support in rural areas, and it fought a few battles against the GIA in 1995 and 1996.

It was initially headed by MIA's Abdelkader Chebouti, who was succeeded in November 1994 by MEI's Madani Mezrag.

[13] By the end of 1994, it controlled over half the guerrillas of the east and west, but barely 20% in the center, near the capital, where the GIA were mainly based.

[15] The FIS lost influence after this and was dissolved on 13 January 2000 after the Civil Concord decreed by president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.