The only clear present case of global terrorism is Al Qaeda. Better?
You might want to read the State Department's "Patterns of Global Terrorism - 2001" available here in pdf format:
news.findlaw.com
I haven't read the whole thing yet but here is a link to a short description of all known terrorist groups:
news.findlaw.com
For example, Abu Nidal is dead but his organization is comprised of several hundred individuals who have carried out terrorist attacks in 20 countries.
Abu Sayyaf is based in the Philippines but also operates in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
Aum Shinrikyo, based in Japan, has 40,000 members worldwide.
Here's a small portion of what they say about Al Qaida:
Strength
Al-Qaida may have several thousand members and associates. Also serves as a
focal point or umbrella organization for a worldwide network that includes
many Sunni Islamic extremist groups, some members of al-Gama’a al-
Islamiyya, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and the Harakat ul-Mujahidin.
Here's an Iraq-sponsored terrorist group I never heard of:
Mujahedin-e Khalq
Organization (MEK or MKO)
a.k.a. The National Liberation Army of Iran (NLA, the militant wing of the MEK),
the People’s Mujahidin of Iran (PMOI), National Council of Resistance (NCR),
Muslim Iranian Student’s Society (front organization used to garner financial
support)
Description
The MEK philosophy mixes Marxism and Islam. Formed in the 1960s, the organization
was expelled from Iran after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, and its
primary support now comes from the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. Its history
is studded with anti-Western attacks as well as terrorist attacks on the interests of
the clerical regime in Iran and abroad. The MEK now advocates a secular Iranian
regime.
Activities
Worldwide campaign against the Iranian Government stresses propaganda and
occasionally uses terrorist violence. During the 1970s the MEK killed several US
military personnel and US civilians working on defense projects in Tehran. It
supported the takeover in 1979 of the US Embassy in Tehran. In 1981 the MEK
planted bombs in the head office of the Islamic Republic Party and the Premier’s
office, killing some 70 high-ranking Iranian officials, including chief
Justice Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, President Mohammad-Ali Rajaei, and
Premier Mohammad-Javad Bahonar. In 1991, it assisted the overnment of Iraq
in suppressing the Shia and Kurdish uprisings in northern and southern Iraq.
Since then, the MEK has continued to perform internal security services for the
Government of Iraq. In April 1992, it conducted attacks on Iranian Embassies in
13 different countries, demonstrating the group’s ability to mount large-scale
operations overseas. In recent years the MEK has targeted key military officers
and assassinated the deputy chief of the Armed Forces General Staff in April
1999. In April 2000, the MEK attempted to assassinate the commander of the
Nasr Headquarters—the interagency board responsible for coordinating policies
on Iraq. The normal pace of anti-Iranian operations increased during the
“Operation Great Bahman” in February 2000, when the group launched a dozen
attacks against Iran. In 2000 and 2001, the MEK was involved regularly in mortar
attacks and hit-and-run raids on Iranian military and law enforcement units
and government buildings near the Iran-Iraq border. Since the end of the Iran-
Iraq War the tactics along the border have garnered few military gains and have
become commonplace. MEK insurgent activities in Tehran constitute the biggest
security concern for the Iranian leadership. In February 2000, for example,
the MEK attacked the leadership complex in Tehran that houses the offices of
the Supreme Leader and President.
Strength
Several thousand fighters located on bases scattered throughout Iraq and
armed with tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and artillery. The MEK also has an
overseas support structure. Most of the fighters are organized in the MEK’s
National Liberation Army (NLA).
Location/Area of Operation
In the 1980s the MEK’s leaders were forced by Iranian security forces to flee to
France. Since resettling in Iraq in 1987, the group has conducted internal security
operations in support of the Government of Iraq. In the mid-1980s the group did
not mount terrorist operations in Iran at a level similar to its activities in the
1970s, but by the 1990s the MEK had claimed credit for an increasing number of
operations in Iran.
External Aid
Beyond support from Iraq, the MEK uses front organizations to solicit contributions
from expatriate Iranian communities.
Iraq also sponsors Abu Nidal's group, and the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF). By sponsoring Abu Nidal's group, Iraq is ipso facto sponsoring international terrorism, not just regional terrorism.
Abu Nidal
organization (ANO)
a.k.a. Fatah
Revolutionary Council,
Arab Revolutionary
Brigades, Black
September, and
Revolutionary
Organization of
Socialist Muslims
Description
International terrorist organization led by Sabri al-Banna. Split from PLO in 1974.
Made up of various functional committees, including political, military, and
financial.
Activities
Has carried out terrorist attacks in 20 countries, killing or injuring almost
900 persons. Targets include the United States, the United Kingdom, France,
Israel, moderate Palestinians, the PLO, and various Arab countries. Major
attacks included the Rome and Vienna airports in December 1985, the Neve
Shalom synagogue in Istanbul and the Pan Am Flight 73 hijacking in Karachi in
September 1986, and the City of Poros day-excursion ship attack in Greece in
July 1988. Suspected of assassinating PLO deputy chief Abu Iyad and PLO
security chief Abu Hul in Tunis in January 1991. ANO assassinated a Jordanian
diplomat in Lebanon in January 1994 and has been linked to the killing of the
PLO representative there. Has not attacked Western targets since the late 1980s.
Strength
Few hundred plus limited overseas support structure.
Location/Area of Operation
Al-Banna relocated to Iraq in December 1998, where the group maintains a
presence. Has an operational presence in Lebanon including in several Palestinian
refugee camps. Financial problems and internal disorganization have
reduced the group’s activities and capabilities. Authorities shut down the ANO’s
operations in Libya and Egypt in 1999. Has demonstrated ability to operate over
wide area, including the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
External Aid
Has received considerable support, including safehaven, training, logistic
assistance, and financial aid from Iraq, Libya, and Syria (until 1987), in addition
to close support for selected operations.
Hair-raising stuff. |
