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Terrorist Groups

Throughout history there have been a huge amount of groups formed that are considered by many to be terrorists. Perhaps the best known of these at the moment include Al-Qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah – all originating from the Middle East, and the Janjaweed in Sudan. A lot of terrorist groups have come and gone over the years, but there are still many groups that are active.

Below is a list of terrorist groups, some active, others dormant and others disbanded, but all of which have had a significant ‘terrorist affect’ on ordinary people around the world. They are grouped by both religion and country of origin.

Christian

Army of God
Christian Gallery
Freedomites (1902-present) Active in Canada, notable for their longevity
God's Army A terrorist group in Myanmar.
Lord's Resistance Army Christian/Pagan/Muslim terrorist group that operates in northern Uganda, it seeks to overthrow the Ugandan government and create a country based on the ten commandments.
Nagaland Rebels (1947-present) Active in predominantly Christian state in Hindu majority India. Involved in several bombings in 2004. Goal: Independence from India after annexing parts of neighboring Indian states and Burma if it has Christian majority.
National Liberation Front of Tripura (1989-present) A group that seeks the independence of Tripura from India to create a Christian Tripura.

Islamist

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.
Allegedly partnered with Jemaah Islamiyah and Al-Qaeda.

Aden-Abyan Islamic Army (Yemen)

Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya (Late 1970s-present; Islamists; Egypt)

Seeks to establish Islamist state in Egypt. Usually targets secular establishments, government buildings, police, the military, minorities, tourists, and “morally offensive” buildings.

Armed Islamic Group (1992-present; Islamists; Algeria)

Seeks to establish Islamist state in Algeria. Began operations in 1992 after the Algerian government ignored election results that gave victory to Islamist political parties.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades

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.
Related: Alneda (former web site), As-Sahab (affiliated public relations organization),
Cells: Buffalo six, Hamburg cell,

Asbat al-Ansar (early 1990s-present; Lebanese Sunni Islamists; southern Lebanon)

In Arabic, "the League of the Followers."
Acronym for "Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya," or Islamic Resistance Movement.

Jama'at al-Tawhid wa'al-Jihad/Al-Qaeda in Iraq - Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Sunni network, operating in Iraq

on U.S. State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations

Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement - al-Qaeda linked separatist group in China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region aiming to establish an Islamic state. Banned by China, along with related groups Eastern Turkistan Liberation Organisation, World Uighur Youth Congress and East Turkistan Information Center

Egyptian Islamic Jihad - Egypt (active since the late 1970s)

Hamas - Israel, West Bank, Gaza Strip. Listed as a terrorist organization by Australia, Canada, the European Union, Israel, and the United States

Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM) - Pakistan and Kashmir

Hezbollah - Lebanon; Listed as a terrorist organization by Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Israel, and the United States

Hizbul Mujahideen - Pakistan and Kashmir

Hofstad Network - Netherlands

Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain - Defunct

Islamic Movement of Central Asia - Central Asia

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan - Uzbekistan

Jaish-e-Mohammed - Pakistan

Jaish Ansar al-Sunna - Iraq

Jemaah Islamiyah - Southeast Asia

Jihad Rite - Australia (linked with Al Qaeda. Founded in 2001)

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi - Pakistan

Lashkar-e-Toiba - Pakistan

Lord's Resistance Army Christian/Pagan/Muslim terrorist group that operates in northern Uganda, it seeks to overthrow the Ugandan government and create a country based on the ten commandments.

Maktab al-Khadamat - Afghanistan - Defunct

Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group - Morocco and Spain

Moro Islamic Liberation Front - (Islamic separatists; the Philippines)

Palestinian Islamic Jihad - Israel, West Bank, Gaza Strip

People Against Gangsterism and Drugs - South Africa

Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat - Algeria

Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan - Pakistan

Takfir wal-Hijra - Egypt/Sudan/Algeria

Kurdish-Hizbullah - Turkey

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)

Jewish

* Kahane Chai (designated as terrorist by Israel, the EU, and USA)
* Jewish Defense League

Sikh

    * Babbar Khalsa
    * Bhinderanwala Tiger Force of Khalistan
    * International Sikh Youth Federation
    * Dashmesh Regiment
    * Khalistan Commando Force
    * Khalistan Liberation Force
    * Khalistan Liberation Front
    * Khalistan National Army
   * Khalistan Zindabad Force
    * Saheed Khalsa Force

All of these groups demand a Khalistan (Land of the Pure) in the Indian state of Punjab and adjoining areas for Sikhs. Most have a variable amount of support from Sikhs abroad and have been in existence since the 1980s. Many have been weakened and have cut down on activities, yet they continue. The militancy in Punjab has claimed approximately 100,000 lives, according to estimates put forward by Amnesty International: this figure involves killings by both Sikh militants and the Indian forces. With the exception of the first two, the other groups have only been proscribed in India.

Other religious terrorists

* Aum Supreme Truth (Aum Shinrikyo) - Japan (homicidal religious cult)

Nationalistic Terrorist Organizations

Irish Nationalists (Northern Ireland)

    * Irish National Liberation Army (1974-present)
          o Splinter group:
                + Irish People's Liberation Organisation (1986-1992, defunct)
    * Irish Republican Army (1922-1969)split into- 'Official IRA' and 'Provisional IRA'.
    * Official IRA (defunct)
    * Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) (1969–2002)
          o 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).
          o Under ceasefire since the Good Friday Agreement of 1998
          o Ended armed campaign in September 2005.
          o 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 Good Friday Agreement.

Ulster Loyalists (Northern Ireland)

    * Ulster Volunteer Force (original UVF 1912-1921, current UVF has existed since 1966)
          o Very closely linked with the Red Hand Commandos (1972-present).
          o Splinter group: Loyalist Volunteer Force
    * Ulster Defence Association (1971-present)
          o Also called the "Ulster Freedom Fighters," or UFF.
          o 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, although in February 2006, the Independent Monitoring Commission reported that the UDA continued its paramilitary activities, as well as involvement in organized crime, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, extortion, money laundering and robbery
          o Splinter group: Red Hand Defenders
    * Red Hand Commandos {created in 1972) allied with the UVF
    * Red Hand Defenders (1998-present) an affiliate organization with both the UDA and LVF who are allies. Opposes ceasefire.
    * Loyalist Volunteer Force (1996-2005)
    * Ulster Freedom Fighters (created in 1972) an affiliate of the UDA
    * Ulster Resistance 1986-1990 Created by the Democratic Unionist Party, now defunct
    * Red Branch Knights (1992)
    * Orange Volunteers (1998-present)

India

    * Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (Amanullah Khan) -- (Note: The JKLF faction headed by Yasin Malik has renounced all violence since 1995)[citation needed]
    * (SIMI) -- Banned by Indian Government in 2002. Recently, it has been accused of helping Pakistani based terrorists organization organize bomb blasts in Mumbai, India.[citation needed]
    * ULFA[United Liberation Front of Asom] has been active in separitist movement in Assam since the last part of the 70's of the last century. They want an independent Assam as they feel the state has been 'neglected' in all fronts by the Indian government.

Jewish

* Irgun (1931-1948) - regarded as a terrorist group by the British authorities and mainstream Zionist organizations (not during most of World War II).
* Lehi (1940-1948) - regarded as a terrorist group by the British authorities.

Arabic

    * Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
    * Baloch Mujahideen [citation needed]
    * Black Hand (Palestine)
    * Black September (group)
    * Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)
    * Fatah Hawks
  * Force 17
    * Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
    * Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC)
    * Popular Resistance Committees
    * Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement
    * Palestine Liberation Front
    * Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1964-present) - On December 14, 1988, the PLO officially renounced the use of terrorist tactics to convince Israel to cede territory. In 1993 it became the PA (Palestinian Authority). Although it claims it does not support terrorism, documents show that the PA/PLO has actively supported and sponsored various terrorist groups in Israel.          According to the NCIS, the PLO is "the richest of all terrorist organizations." (1993)
    * The Holy Jihad Brigade
    * Tanzim

Tamil Nationalist

* Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, aka Tamil Tigers)- Sri Lanka. One of the largest groups with an estimated 24,000 Tamil cadres who fight for separation from Sri Lanka. The group has carried out 240+ suicide bombings since the early 80s in the process which they describe as their freedom struggle. Members of the group were convicted for the suicide bomber assassinations of Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa (1988-1993) and former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . UNHCR has reported that this organisation recruits children by force.
* PLOTE

Other nationalist terrorists

    * an gof - Cornwall - (inactive)
    * Abkhaz Separatists - Georgia
    * East Turkestan Islamic Movement - Central Asia and China
    * East Turkistan Liberation Organization (China)
    * ETA (Basque Fatherland and Liberty) - Spain and southern France (founded 1959)
    * Scottish National Liberation Army (SNLA) - Scotland (defunct)
    * Croatian Revolutionary Brotherhood - Yugoslavia (disbanded)
    * Front de Libération du Quebec - Canada (founded 1963)
          o Cells: Chenier Cell, Liberation Cell,
    * Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK/KADEK/KONGRA-GEL) - Turkey
    * Los Macheteros - Puerto Rico (founded 1976)
    * National Front for the Liberation of Corsica (FLNC) - France
    * African National Congress (historical) - South Africa
    * Armed Islamic Group (GIA) - France, Algeria
    * Algerian National Movement (MNA) - France, Algeria (disbanded)
    * National Liberation Front (FLN) - France, Algeria
    * Organisation armée secrète (OAS) - France, Algeria (disbanded)
    * Olmecs Terrorist Army - Mexico
    * Sons of Liberty (18th century) - United States
    * VMO (1950-1970 and 1971-1983) - Flanders

Anarchist

    * Anti-State Justice
    * Black Star
    * The Angry Brigade
    * New Revolutionary Alternative
    * Squamish Five

Communist, Socialist, Maoist and Marxist

    * Action Directe - France
    * African National Congress - South Africa (renounced violence)
    * Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA, disbanded since 1986) - Lebanon, Armenia and the USA
    * CCC - Belgium
    * Chukaku-Ha - Japan
    * Communist League September 23rd - Mexico
    * Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) - Nepal
    * Ejército de Liberación Nacional - Colombia
    * Popular Forces 25 April (FP-25 Abril) (Portuguese:Forças Populares 25 de Abril) - Portugal (disbanded)
    * GRAPO - Spain
    * Japanese Red Army (Sekigun) - Japan
    * June 2 Movement - West Germany (disbanded)
    * 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
    * Pan-Africanist Congress - South Africa (renounced violence)
    * People's War Group - India
    * Red Army Faction (popularly known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang) - Germany (founded 1967, disbanded)
    * Red Brigades (Brigate Rosse) - Italy (founded 1969)
    * Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) - Colombia
    * Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP & DHKP/C) - Turkey
    * Sandinista National Liberation Front - Nicaragua
    * Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) - Peru (active since the late 1960s)
    * Symbionese Liberation Army - USA (disbanded)
    * Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) - Peru
    * United Freedom Front - USA (founded in 1976, now disbanded)
    * United Liberation Front of Assam - India
    * Weathermen - USA (founded in 1969, now disbanded)
          o Spin-off: May 19th Communist Movement (active 1978-85)

Ethnic terrorists (including neo-Nazis and white-supremacists)

    * Army for the Liberation of Rwanda - Rwanda (Hutu emancipatory;genocidal)
    * Aryan Nations - United States
    * Boeremag - South Africa
    * Combat 18 - United Kingdom
    * Column 88 - United Kingdom
    * CSA
    * Creativity Movement - USA
    * Ku Klux Klan - USA (founded in 1865 and revived several times since).
    * Mouvement d'Action et Défense Masada - France (disbanded). This was a French neo-Nazi organization, disguised as a Zionist extremist group, which attacked Arab targets.
    * National Socialist Movement - United Kingdom
    * The Order - USA (disbanded)
    * White Aryan Resistance - United States

Anti-Communists

    * Alianza Anticomunista Argentina - Argentina
    * Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia - Colombia
    * Ranvir Sena - India

Cuban exile groups

    * Coordination of United Revolutionary Organizations - Cuba (CORU - includes Orlando Bosch and Luis Posada Carriles)
    * Omega 7 - anti-Castro Cuban exile group - Florida, Cuba
    * Abdala - anti-Castro organization active in New York during the 1970s.
    * Alpha 66 - anti-Castro Cuban exile group - Florida, Cuba.

Ecologists

These groups are active on environmental issues, using sabotage (monkeywrenching) as their means of struggle. They have a commitment to property damage only, and not harming life (human or animal).

    * Animal Liberation Front (ALF) - operates worldwide. Property damage and animal release, related to animal rights issues. Listed as one of the top domestic threats by United States Department of Homeland Security, FBI and ATF.
    * Earth Liberation Front (ELF) - Founded 1992; operates in US, Canada, and UK. Property destruction, related to environmental issues. Listed as one of the top domestic threats by United States Department of Homeland Security, FBI and ATF.
    * Environmental Life Force - Disbanded in 1972. Used explosive and incendiary devices in defense of the environment.

Africa

    * Buffalo Battalion - Mozambique
    * Interahamwe - Rwanda
    * Janjaweed - Sudan
    * Mungiki - Kenya
    * Revolutionary United Front - Sierra Leonean rebels

Carribean

    * Front for the Advancement and Progress of Haiti (FRAPH) - Haiti
    * National Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Haiti - Haiti
    * Tonton Macoutes - Haiti

France

    * Action Directe (AD), an anti-NATO organization reponsible for the 1986 murder of Georges Besse.
    * Angry Merchants, a terrorist organization reponsible for several bomings in France during 1982.
    * Armed Nuclei for the Popular Autonomy (NAPAP), French-based terrorist organization

Italy

    * Armed Communist Formations, a terrorist organization active during the 1970s.
    * Armed Revolutionary Nuclei (NAR), a terrorist organization active during the 1980s.
    * Armed Revolution Squads, a right-wing terrorist organization active during the 1980s.

Mexico

* Armed Communist League, a terrorist organization active during the 1970s.
* Armed Vanguard of the Proletariet, a terrorist organization active during the 1970s.

Puerto Rico

* Armed Commandos of Liberation, a terrorist organization reponsible for numerous bombings throughtout the 1970s.

Spain

    * ETA Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, main terrorist organization in Spain responsible of the numerous bombings
    * GAL Grupo Antiterrorista de Liberacion, terrorist organization of the goverment in the 1980s.
    * GRAPO Grupo Antifacista Primero de Octubre, terrorist organization of extreme left
    * FAG Fuerzas Armadas Guanches, terrorist organization of the Islas Canarias part of MPAIAC in the 1970s.
    * Exercito Guerrilleiro del Povo Galego Ceibe organization terrorist of Galicia
    * Terra Lliure terrorist group of Catalonia in the 1980s. and 1990s.
    * kale borroka atacks in the Basque Country and Navarra with bombs Molotov

United Kingdom

* Animal Rights Militia, a terrorist organization responsible for numerous letter bombs in Great Britain during the 1980s.

United State

    * Afro-American Liberation Army (AALA), a terrorist organization active in Los Angeles during the 1970s.
  * Aliens of America, a terrorist organization active in Los Angeles during the 1970s.
    * American Indian Movement (AIM), originally founded as a civil rights organization, the AIM was involved in the 1972 occupations of the Mayflower II, Mount Rushmore and the Bureau of Indian Affairs headquarters in Washington, D.C. as well as the 1973 standoff at Wounded Knee during which members were involved in gun battles with federal agents.
    * Americans for Justice, a terrorist organization active on the west coast during the 1970s.
    * Bay Bombers, a radical terrorist organization active in San Francisco, California during the 1960s.
    * Black Afro Militant Movement (BAMM), a militant terrorist organization
    * Black Liberation Army (BLA), an offshoot faction of the Black Panther Party reportedly involved in murders of police officers in San Francisco and New York between 1971 and 1973.
    * Black Muslims, a seperatist involved in numerous shootouts with police and other violent activities including the "Zebra Killings" in which fourteen people were merdered in the San Francisco-area.
    * Black Nation of Islam (BNI), a terrorist organization active during the 1970s and 80s.
    * Black Panther Party (BPP), a militant terrorist organization involved in numerous shootings and other violent activities until the mid-1970s.
    * Black Revolutionary, a terrorist organization active in New York during the 1970s.
    * Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), a terrorist organization responsible for the 1973 murder of Oakland school superintendant Marcus Foster and, most notably, the 1974 kidnapping of Patricia Hearst.
    * Weather Underground (WU), radical terrorist organization reponsible for nineteen bombings between 1969 and 1974, including the U.S. Capitol Building in 1971 and the Pentagon in 1974.