List of militant organizations
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Template:NPOV A terrorist organisation is an organisation that engages in terrorist tactics, they are also (perhaps more neutrally) referred to as militant organisations.
The following groups are considered to be terrorist by a significant number of observers, though opinion is not uniform.
At least two features make objective assessment of which organisations are terrorist difficult:
- the definition of terrorism is disputed and
- the facts about the actions and motives of these groups are disputed.
The cliché, "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" has some relevance as, while Terrorism can technically be defined as politically motivated violence against non-combatants, use of the term is uneven and dependent on the observer's political perspective and moral judgement. Use of the term often carries moral weight beyond its technical use. "Militant" is a more neutral term to describe so-called "terrorist" groups. Militant groups themselves rarely claim to be committing terrorism and often justify their acts as defence against state oppression or terrorism by opposing groups.
This list does not include government actions that could be labelled terrorism; instead, see state terrorism. The U.S. State Department maintains a list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, groups that the U.S. government considers terrorist, but these designations are far from universally accepted.
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Religious Terrorists
Christian
- Nagaland Rebels (1948-present) Active in predominately Christian state in Hindu India. Involved in several bombings in 2004. Goal: Independence from Hindu India after annexing parts of neighboring Indian states and Burma if it has Christian majority.
- Ku Klux Klan A racist Protestant Christian organization with a history of violence against Afro-Americans, Jews, and Catholics.
- Anti-Abortion Terrorism Activities include bombing abortion clinics, killing doctors and nurses. A member, Eric Robert Rudolph was charged with Centennial Olympic Park bombing at the Olympics and a health clinic in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Irish Republican Army (IRA) (1916-present) **
- Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) (1969-present)
- Splinter group of the 'Official' IRA.
- Supporters of the PIRA split from 'Official' Sinn Féin to form Provisional Sinn Féin. Provisional Sinn Féin was later known simply as Sinn Féin (while 'Official' Sinn Féin eventually became the Workers' Party).
- Under ceasefire since the Good Friday Agreement of 1997
- Splinter groups:
- Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) (1986-present)
- Also known as the "Continuity Army Council" and "Óglaigh na hÉireann (Gaelic for 'Volunteers of Ireland')
- Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) (1997-present) *
- Also known as the True IRA and Óglaigh na hÉireann (Gaelic for Volunteers of Ireland).
- Does not recognize Belfast Agreement.
- Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) (1986-present)
- Irish National Liberation Army
- Operation Rescue
- Ulster Defence Association (UDA) (1971-present) **
- Also called the "Ulster Freedom Fighters," or UFF.
- On February 22, 2003, announced a "complete and utter cessation" of all acts of violence for one year. It said it will review its ceasefire every three months.
- Splinter group:
- Red Hand Defenders (1998-present) **
- UDA splinter group. Opposes ceasefire.
- Red Hand Defenders (1998-present) **
- Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) (May 1966-present)
- Very closely linked with the Red Hand Commandos (1972-present).
- Ulster Defense Force (UVP) **
- Loyalist Volunteer Force (decommissioned some weapons. Organisation heavily involved in criminal and narcotic activities.)
- Orange Volunteers
Hindu
- Shiv Sena Extremist political party in India designated by Pakistan as a terrorist group. The group has been involved in several religious riots that lead to the death of several thousands.
Jewish
- Jewish Defense League - United States
- Kach and Kahane Chai - Israel and United States. The Hatikva Center is a Kahane Chai front organization.
- Irgun - British mandate of Palestine (founded 1931, disbanded 1948)
- Lehi (sometimes referred to as the Stern Gang) - British mandate of Palestine (founded 1940, disbanded 1948)
Islamic
- Abu Sayyaf (1991-present; Islamist separatists; the Philippines)
- Based in the southern islands of Jolo, Basilan, and Mindanao.
- Branched off of the Moro National Liberation Front.
- Is partnered with Jemaah Islamiyah and Al-Qaeda.
- Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya (Late 1970s-present; Islamists; Egypt)
- Seeks to establish Islamist rule in Egypt. Usually targets secular establishments, government buildings, police, the military, Coptic Christians, tourists, Jews, and “morally offensive” buildings.
- Armed Islamic Group (1992-present; Islamists; Algeria)
- Seeks to establish Islamist rule in Algeria. Began operations in 1992 after the Algerian government ignored election results that gave victory to Islamist political parties.
- In recent years has lost influence as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat gained power.
- Ansar al-Islam (December 2001-present; Islamists; Iraq)
- In Arabic, "Supporters of Islam."
- Also known as "Partisans of Islam or Helpers of Islam."
- Al-Qaeda (1988-present; Islamists; Afghanistan, Pakistan, and worldwide)
- In Arabic, "the foundation" or "the base."
- Also known as Qa‘idat al-Jihad, Islamic Army for the Liberation of the Holy Places, World Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders, Islamic Salvation Foundation, and the Osama bin Laden Network.
- Asbat al-Ansar (early 1990s-present; Lebanese Sunni Islamists; southern Lebanon)
- In Arabic, "the League of the Followers."
- Hamas (1987-present; Islamists and Palestinian nationalists; Israel and the Palestinian territories) *
- In Arabic, "zeal" or "courage."
- Acronym for "Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya," or Islamic Resistance Movement.
- Hizbollah (Lebanese) (1982-present; Lebanese Shiite Islamists; Lebanon and worldwide)
- Jama'at al-Tawhid wa'al-Jihad - Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's network, operating in Iraq
- Egyptian Islamic Jihad - Egypt (active since the late 1970s)
- Harakut ul-Ansar (HUA) - Pakistan and Kashmir
- Islamic Movement of Central Asia - Central Asia
- Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan - Uzbekistan
- Jaish-e-Mohammad - Pakistan
- Jemaah Islamiyah - Southeast Asia
- Lashkar-e-Toiba - Pakistan
- Maktab al-Khadamat - Afghanistan
- Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group - Morocco and Spain
- Muslim Brotherhood - international
- Palestinian Islamic Jihad - Gaza Strip/West Bank/Israel
- People Against Gangsterism and Drugs - South Africa
- Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat - Algeria
- Takfir wal-Hijra - Egypt/Sudan/Algeria
- Hofstad Network - Netherlands
Islamist Fronts
- Al-Barakaat (Al-Qaida front)
- Al-Wafa Humanitarian Organization (Al-Qaida front)
- Benevolence International Foundation (Al-Qaida front)
- Global Relief Foundation (Al-Qaida front)
- Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (Hamas)
- Konsojaya Trading Company (Jemaah Islamiyah front)
Other religious terrorists
- Aum Supreme Truth (Aum Shinrikyo) - Japan (homicidal religious cult)
- Anti-Abortion Terrorists - United States
Nationalistic Terrorist Organizations
Lebanese
- Lebanese Hizbollah (1982-present; Shiite Lebanese Islamists and Palestinian nationalists; Lebanon)
- In Arabic, "Party of God." Hezbollah claims that it has never committed any acts of terror, and normally restricts its operations to Israeli military targets in Lebanon and the Shebaa Farms. However, it is alleged to have been involved in the bombing of Jewish civilian targets in Argentina in 1992 - the Israeli embassy, killing 29 - and in 1994 - a Jewish community centre, killing 95. [12]
- Also known as Hezbollah, Hizbullah, Huzbollah, Hizbalah, Organization of the Oppressed on Earth, and the Revolutionary Justice Organization.
Palestinian
- Palestinian Liberation Organization (June 1964-Present)
- Formed as an umbrella group of eight Palestinian nationalist organizations devoted to dismantling Israel headquartered in Damascus, Syria and Beirut, Lebanon.
- Used the name Black September during the 1972 Munich Olympic Massacre)
- Groups within the PLO
- Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) (1967-present)
- Left-wing Palestinian separatists
- Joined the PLO in 1968 and became the second-largest PLO faction, after Arafat's al-Fatah, but withdrew in 1974, accusing the group of moving away from the goal of destroying Israel outright.
- PFLP's splinter groups:
- Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) (1968-present) *
- Splinter group from the PFLP, founded by Ahmed Jibril. Declared its focus would be military, not political. Was a member of the PLO, but left in 1974 for the same reasons as PFLP.
- Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) (1969-present)
- Marxist-Leninist group that believes Palestinian national goals can be achieved only through revolution of the masses. Split into two factions in 1991; Nayif Hawatmah leads the majority and more hard-line faction, which continue to dominate the group. Joined with other rejectionist groups to form the Alliance of Palestinian Forces (APF) to oppose the Declaration of Principals signed in 1993. Broke from the APF - along with the PFLP - over ideological differences. Has made limited moves toward merging with the PFLP since the mid-1990s.
- Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) (1968-present) *
- PFLP's splinter groups:
- Abu Nidal organization (ANO) (1974-2002?; Anti-PLO extremists) *
- Split from PLO but is not considered primarily a Palestinian nationalist organization. See ANO entry above.
- Fatah (early 1960s-present; Palestinian nationalist political party; sponsors terrorism)
- Reverse acronym for "Harekat at-Tahrir al-Wataniyyeh al-Falastiniyyeh," (FTH) Arabic for "Palestinian National Liberation Movement."
- Founded by Yasser Arafat in the early 1960s. Took control of the PLO in 1960, with Arafat as chairman, forming the Palestinian Authority.
- Groups associated with Fatah:
- Al Aqsa Marytrs Brigade *
- Responsible of many suicide bombings and shooting attacks against Israeli civilian.
- Responsible of executing suspected collaberators and opposition leaders to Arafat.
- Funded by Fatah and the Palestinian Authority.
- Tanzim (1995-present)
- In Arabic, "organization."
- Loosely organized Fatah militia.
- Force 17 (early 1970s-present)
- Elite unit of the PLO under Yasser Arafat's direct guidance.
- Acts as a versatile unit for terrorism, combat, and intelligence-gathering.
- Hawari (1980s-1991)
- Also known as the Fatah Special Operations Group, Martyrs of Tal Al Za'atar, and Amn Araissi.
- Has not carried out terrorist attacks recently.
- Ahmed Abu Reish Brigade
- Extreme off-shoot of Fatah.
- Was involved in July 17, 2004 kidnappings in the Gaza Strip.
- Possible link to the Popular Resistance Committees.
- Al Aqsa Marytrs Brigade *
- Groups associated with Fatah:
- The Popular Resistance Committees - Gaza Strip
Pre-Independence Irish Nationalists
- Fenian Brotherhood (19th century, disbanded)
Irish Nationalists (Ulster)
- Irish Republican Army (IRA) (1916-present) **
- Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) (1969-present)
- Splinter group of the 'Official' IRA.
- Supporters of the PIRA split from 'Official' Sinn Féin to form Provisional Sinn Féin. Provisional Sinn Féin was later known simply as Sinn Féin (while 'Official' Sinn Féin eventually became the Workers' Party).
- Under ceasefire since the Good Friday Agreement of 1997
- Splinter groups:
- Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) (1986-present)
- Also known as the "Continuity Army Council" and "Óglaigh na hÉireann (Gaelic for 'Volunteers of Ireland')
- Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) (1997-present) *
- Also known as the True IRA and Óglaigh na hÉireann (Gaelic for Volunteers of Ireland).
- Does not recognize Belfast Agreement.
- Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) (1986-present)
- Irish National Liberation Army
Sri Lanka
- Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam aka LTTE - Sri Lanka. One of the largest terrorist group with 10,000 Tamils who wanted liberation from Singhalese government. The group has carried out 240+ suicide bombings since early 80s in the process of their freedom struggle.
Northern Irish Loyalists (Ulster)
- Ulster Defence Association (UDA) (1971-present) **
- Also called the "Ulster Freedom Fighters," or UFF.
- On February 22, 2003, announced a "complete and utter cessation" of all acts of violence for one year. It said it will review its ceasefire every three months.
- Splinter group:
- Red Hand Defenders (1998-present) **
- UDA splinter group. Opposes ceasefire.
- Red Hand Defenders (1998-present) **
- Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) (May 1966-present)
- Very closely linked with the Red Hand Commandos (1972-present).
- Ulster Defense Force (UVP) **
- Loyalist Volunteer Force (disbanded)
- Orange Volunteers
Other nationalist terrorists
- East Turkestan Islamic Movement - Central Asia and China
- ETA (Basque Fatherland and Liberty) - Spain and southern France (founded 1959)
- Croatian Revolutionary Brotherhood - Yugoslavia (disbanded)
- Front de Libération du Quebec - Canada (founded 1963)
- Kosovo Liberation Army - (KLA)
- Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK/KADEK/KONGRA-GEL) - Turkey(disbanded)
- Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam - Sri Lanka
- Los Macheteros - Puerto Rico (founded 1976)
- National Front for the Liberation of Corsica (FLNC) - France
- Sons of Liberty - United States (disbanded)
Leftist terrorists
- Action Directe - France
- Animal Liberation Front (ALF) - United States
- Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) - Lebanon and Armenia
- Chukaku-Ha - Japan
- Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) - Nepal
- Earth Liberation Front (ELF) - United States
- Ejército de Liberación Nacional - Colombia
- GRAPO - Spain
- Japanese Red Army (Sekigun) - Japan
- Khmer Rouge - Cambodia (disbanded)
- Manuel Rodríguez Patriotic Front - Chile
- Montoneros - Argentina (disbanded)
- National Socialist Council of Nagaland - India
- Naxals or Naxalites - India
- NPA or New People's Army - Philippines
- Revolutionary Organization 17 November (17N) - Greece
- People's War Group - India
- Red Army Faction (popularly known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang) - Germany (founded 1967, disbanded)
- Red Brigades (Brigade Rosse) - Italy (founded 1969)
- Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) - Colombia
- Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) - Peru (active since the late 1960s)
- Symbionese Liberation Army - USA (disbanded)
- Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) - Peru
- United Liberation Front of Assam - India
- Weathermen - USA (founded in 1969, now disbanded)
Right-wing terrorists
Neo-Nazis and white-supremacists
- Boeremag - South Africa
- Combat 18 - United Kingdom
- Creativity Movement - USA
- Ku Klux Klan - USA (founded in 1865 and revived several times since). A tiny British KKK also came into being recently.
- National Socialist Movement - United Kingdom
- The Order - USA (disbanded)
- Organisation de l'Armée Secrète - France, Algeria (disbanded)
Non-white racist terrorists
- Army for the Liberation of Rwanda - Rwanda (Hutu emancipatory; possibly genocidal)
- Janjaweed militias - Sudan (Arab, anti-black)
Anti-Communists
- Alianza Anticomunista Argentina - Argentina
- Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia - Colombia
- Contras - Nicaragua (disbanded)
- Death squads - El Salvador
- Omega 7 - anti-Castro Cuban exile group - Florida, Cuba
- Alpha 66 - anti-Castro Cuban exile group - Florida, Cuba
- Mongoose Gang - Grenada
- Ranvir Sena - India
Others
- The Angry Brigade - United Kingdom (anarchists) (disbanded)
- Animal Liberation Front - USA (radical environmentalist) - related to and often works with the ELF (see below).
- Buffalo Battalion - Mozambique
- Earth First! - Many countries (radical environmentalist)
- Earth Liberation Front - USA (radical environmentalist) - claims to avoid harming people or animals, but is considered by the FBI to be a terrorist group, and vice versa
- EOKA (Ethniki Organosis Kypriakou Agonistov) - Cyprus (anti-Turkish, pro-Enosis)
- Front for the Advancement and Progress of Haiti (FRAPH) - Haiti
- Interahamwe - Rwanda
- Minuteman Project - United States (anti-immigration vigilante group)
- Mungiki - Kenya
- National Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Haiti - Haiti
- Quantrill's Raiders led by William Quantrill - United States (pro-Confederate guerillas)
- Revolutionary United Front - Sierra Leonean rebels
- Tonton Macoutes - Haiti
- Umkhonto we Sizwe ("Spear of the nation") - South Africa
See also
- List of organizations
- List of guerrilla movements
- Foreign Terrorist Organizations designated by the United States Department of State
- United Kingdom Terrorism Act 2000 list designated by the Secretary of State
External links
- Australia government list of terrorist groups (http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/agd/www/nationalsecurityhome.nsf/Page/Listing_of_Terrorist_Organisations)
- Canada government list of terrorist organisations (http://www.psepc.gc.ca/national_security/counter-terrorism/Entities_e.asp)
- UK Home Office list of terrorist groups (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/terrorism/threat/groups/index.html)
- US State Department list of designated foreign terrorist organizations (http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/pgtrpt/2003/31711.htm)pl:Zbrojne organizacje uznawane za terrorystyczne