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Since 1992, these forces have existed within the context of violent confrontation between the Algerian govermnent and Islamic militants; major human rights violations against civilians have been widely alleged against both sides. A resulting arms embargo against Algeria initially prevented the GIS from obtaining equipment such as night-vision goggles typical for such units. However, after the September 11, 2001 attacks, western matériel vendors were allowed to sell equipment to Algeria in the name of the international war on terrorism, which co-operation had been requested by Algeria since 1992.