The Organization of Terrorist Groups
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Country Reports on Terrorism 2016
Country Reports on Terrorism 2016 July 2017 ________________________________ United States Department of State Publication Bureau of Counterterrorism Released July 2017 Country Reports on Terrorism 2016 is submitted in compliance with Title 22 of the United States Code, Section 2656f (the “Act”), which requires the Department of State to provide to Congress a full and complete annual report on terrorism for those countries and groups meeting the criteria of the Act. COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM 2016 Table of Contents Chapter 1. Strategic Assessment Chapter 2. Country Reports Africa Overview Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Partnership for Regional East Africa Counterterrorism Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Chad Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Somalia South Africa Tanzania Uganda East Asia and the Pacific Overview Australia China (Hong Kong and Macau) Indonesia Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Malaysia Philippines Singapore Thailand Europe Overview Albania Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Cyprus Denmark France Georgia Germany Greece Ireland Italy Kosovo Macedonia The Netherlands Norway Russia Serbia Spain Sweden Turkey United Kingdom Middle East and North Africa Overview Algeria Bahrain Egypt Iraq Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Libya Morocco Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia Tunisia United Arab Emirates Yemen South and Central Asia Overview Afghanistan Bangladesh India Kazakhstan Kyrgyz Republic Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka Tajikistan -
Though Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
Volume X, Issue 14 uJuly 12, 2012 IN THIS ISSUE: briefs...............................................................................................................1 Crisis in Greece: Anarchists in the Birthplace of Democracy By George papadopoulos .....................................................................................4 From Pakistan to Yemen: Adapting the U.S. Drone Strategy Amir Mokhtar Belmokhtar By Brian Glyn Williams ........................................................................................7 Holier Than Thou: Rival Clerics in the Syrian Jihad By Aron Lund .........................................................................................................9 Terrorism Monitor is a publication of The Jamestown Foundation. The Terrorism Monitor is designed to be read by policy- makers and other specialists yet WAS AL-QAEDA’S SAHARAN AMIR MOKHTAR BELMOKHTAR KILLED IN THE be accessible to the general public. BATTLE FOR GAO? The opinions expressed within are solely those of the authors and do Though al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) continues to deny the death of one not necessarily reflect those of of its leading amirs in the late June battle for the northern Malian city of Gao, the The Jamestown Foundation. movement has yet to provide any evidence of the survival of Mokhtar Belmokhtar (a.k.a. Khalid Abu al-Abbas), the amir of AQIM’s Sahara/Sahel-based al-Mulathamin Unauthorized reproduction Brigade. [1] or redistribution of this or any Jamestown publication is strictly Belmokhtar and his AQIM fighters -
The Evolution of Terrorism in Greece from 1975 to 2009
Research Paper No. 158 Georgia Chantzi (Associate in the International Centre for Black Sea Studies, ICBSS) THE EVOLUTION OF TERRORISM IN GREECE FROM 1975 TO 2009 Copyright: University of Coventry, (Dissertation in the Humanities and Social Science), UK. PS. Mrs. Georgia Chantzi permitted RIEAS to publish her Research Thesis (MA). RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN STUDIES (RIEAS) # 1, Kalavryton Street, Alimos, Athens, 17456, Greece RIEAS URL:http://www.rieas.gr 1 RIEAS MISSION STATEMENT Objective The objective of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS) is to promote the understanding of international affairs. Special attention is devoted to transatlantic relations, intelligence studies and terrorism, European integration, international security, Balkan and Mediterranean studies, Russian foreign policy as well as policy making on national and international markets. Activities The Research Institute for European and American Studies seeks to achieve this objective through research, by publishing its research papers on international politics and intelligence studies, organizing seminars, as well as providing analyses via its web site. The Institute maintains a library and documentation center. RIEAS is an institute with an international focus. Young analysts, journalists, military personnel as well as academicians are frequently invited to give lectures and to take part in seminars. RIEAS maintains regular contact with other major research institutes throughout Europe and the United States and, together with similar institutes in Western Europe, Middle East, Russia and Southeast Asia. Status The Research Institute for European and American Studies is a non-profit research institute established under Greek law. RIEAS‟s budget is generated by membership subscriptions, donations from individuals and foundations, as well as from various research projects. -
Global Extremism Monitor
Global Extremism Monitor Violent Islamist Extremism in 2017 WITH A FOREWORD BY TONY BLAIR SEPTEMBER 2018 1 2 Contents Foreword 7 Executive Summary 9 Key Findings About the Global Extremism Monitor The Way Forward Introduction 13 A Unifying Ideology Global Extremism Today The Long War Against Extremism A Plethora of Insurgencies Before 9/11 A Proliferation of Terrorism Since 9/11 The Scale of the Problem The Ten Deadliest Countries 23 Syria Iraq Afghanistan Somalia Nigeria Yemen Egypt Pakistan Libya Mali Civilians as Intended Targets 45 Extremist Groups and the Public Space Prominent Victims Breakdown of Public Targets Suicide Bombings 59 Use of Suicide Attacks by Group Female Suicide Bombers Executions 71 Deadliest Groups Accusations Appendices 83 Methodology Glossary About Us Notes 3 Countries Affected by Violent Islamist Extremism, 2017 4 5 6 Foreword Tony Blair One of the core objectives of the Institute is the promotion of co-existence across the boundaries of religious faith and the combating of extremism based on an abuse of faith. Part of this work is research into the phenomenon of extremism derived particularly from the abuse of Islam. This publication is the most comprehensive analysis of such extremism to date and utilises data on terrorism in a new way to show: 1. Violent extremism connected with the perversion of Islam today is global, affecting over 60 countries. 2. Now more than 120 different groups worldwide are actively engaged in this violence. 3. These groups are united by an ideology that shares certain traits and beliefs. 4. The ideology and the violence associated with it have been growing over a period of decades stretching back to the 1980s or further, closely correlated with the development of the Muslim Brotherhood into a global movement, the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and—in the same year—the storming by extremist insurgents of Islam’s holy city of Mecca. -
Defending Damascus, Betraying Beirut: Hezbollah's Communication
Defending Damascus, Betraying Beirut: Hezbollah’s Communication Strategies in the Syrian Civil War Research Thesis Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation with research distinction in International Studies in the undergraduate colleges of The Ohio State University by Maxwell Scurlock The Ohio State University April 2017 Project Advisor: Professor Jeffrey Lewis, International Studies Table of Contents Part 1 – Background Information and Historical Context Introduction – 1 1. Historical and Contextual Background – 6 a. Shi‘ism in Historical Context – 9 b. French Mandatory Period, 1920-1945 – 10 c. Independence to Black September, 1945-1970 – 14 d. The Early Years of the Lebanese Civil War and the Emergence of Hezbollah, 1970-1982 – 17 e. Hezbollah’s Formation – 21 f. Hezbollah’s Early Ideological Framework – 23 g. Syrian and Israeli Occupations of Lebanon, 1982-2005 – 24 h. Political Turmoil, 2006 Lebanon War, and 2008 Lebanese Political Crisis – 29 i. Hezbollah’s 2009 Manifesto – 31 j. The Syrian Civil War – 32 k. Sunni Islamists in Lebanon and Syria – 34 l. Lebanese Christians – 37 Part 2 – Analysis of Hezbollah’s Communications 2. Theoretical Approach to Hezbollah’s Communications – 40 3. Hezbollah in Syria – 44 a. Hezbollah’s Participation in Syria – April 30th, 2013 – 44 b. The Campaign for al-Qusayr, Part One – May 9th, 2013 – 48 c. The Campaign for al-Qusayr, Part Two – May 25th, 2013 – 50 4. Hezbollah’s Responses to Terrorism – 54 a. An Attack in al-Dahieh – August 16th, 2013 – 54 b. The Bombing of Iran’s Embassy – November 19th, 2013 – 56 5. Further Crises – 62 a. The Assassination of Hezbollah Commander Hassan al-Laqqis – December 3rd, 2013 – 62 b. -
Research Notes
Number 21 — August 2014 RESEARCH NOTES THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY MINDING THE HOME FRONT Hezbollah in Lebanon Mona Alami riggered by the March 2011 uprising against the egie’s online journal Sada, have addressed Hezbol- regime of Bashar al-Assad, the civil war in Syria lah’s involvement in Syria.1 However, this paper goes Thas been marked by the extensive military involve- beyond the emphasis of such reports—which often ment of Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based Shiite Mus- discuss the effects of Hezbollah’s war involvement on lim militant group and political party. Although con- the regional power balance and Lebanon’s economics sidered a terrorist organization by the United States, and security—by also probing the party’s relationship the “Party of God” is embraced by Lebanon’s Shiite with its Lebanese constituency. population as a resistance movement and represented Alongside the experts named in this report, some within the Lebanese government. Backed by Iran and forty Lebanese Shiites were interviewed, including Syria, Hezbollah has an extensive security apparatus fifteen from southern Lebanon, twelve from Beirut, and a wide-reaching social services network. Hez- ten from the largely Shiite Beqa Valley, and two Shi- bollah has always framed itself according to its resis- ite party members, in addition to security sources and tance against Israel and its commitment to moumana Hezbollah fighters. The interviews were conducted (securing immunity from Western influence) in the off the record due to security concerns. A request for Middle East, alongside Syria and Iran. In recent years, an interview with Hezbollah’s public relations arm especially since the end of the Pax Syriana—a period was declined. -
The Global Jihad-Affiliated Abdullah Azzam Brigades Claimed Responsibility for Firing Rockets from South Lebanon Into the Western Galilee on August 22
August 25, 2013 The global jihad-affiliated Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility for firing rockets from south Lebanon into the western Galilee on August 22. The attack was meant to challenge Hezbollah, part of the leaking of the confrontation leaking between the Sunni jihadists and Shi'ite Hezbollah from Syria into Lebanon. The Twitter account of the Salafist Lebanese sheikh Siraj al-Din Zariqat, a senior figure in the Abdullah Azzam Brigades in Lebanon. He reported that the Ziyad al-Jarrah Companies of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades were behind the rocket fire attacking the western Galilee (Twitter account of sheikh Zariqat, August 22, 2013) Overview 1. On August 22, 2013, two barrages of two rockets each were fired into the western Galilee. Two landed in Israeli population centers, one in an open area and one was intercepted by the Iron Dome aerial defense system. There were no casualties but property damage was reported. It was the first incidence of rocket fire from south Lebanon in two years. 13-136 2 2. Responsibility for the attacks was attributed by sheikh Zariqat to the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, a global jihad organization with ties to Al-Qaeda, which has a branch in Lebanon (See Appendix A for information about the organization and its Lebanese branch). However, the Lebanese government condemned the rocket fire and the Lebanese foreign minister claimed that those who carried out were trying to drag Lebanon into a confrontation with Israel. Hezbollah did not issue a formal comment. 3. Since the Second Lebanon War there have been eight instances of rocket fire targeting Israel, most of them directed against communities in the western and eastern Galilee. -
Targets That Exist Everywhere
Targets that exist everywhere a strategic proposal for building a common front against the profiteers of war and repression Targets that exist everywhere – a strategic proposal for building a common front against the profiteers of war and repression Rapidly, time marches on; we are already in the 2nd year of the Covid-19 state of emergency and, knowing that no power will ever voluntarily relinquish its new mechanisms of control, anarchist and other libertarian movements all over the globe are looking for strategies and practical means against it. In some regions, social tensions have recently erupted into riots. Elsewhere, there are short-lived outbreaks known as Corona Riots. As anarchists, we are often surprised by the dynamics, sometimes finding ourselves in the crowd of the street battles or perplexed as spectators on the sidelines. Almost every state deals with us, small groups or individuals, sabotaging, agitating and roaming restless in the cities. With the desire to finally cross the threshold from symbolic resistance to material damage to the enemy infrastructure and their tools of power. In addition to the direct confrontation with the pigs, it seems necessary to identify and disconcert the individual cogs of their machine. There is no other way to overcome the balance of power; metropolises, which in recent years have been more frequently devastated by social struggles, general strikes and riots, have relatively quickly recovered with their arrogance. But we are still too often sliding into randomness instead of tearing apart the weaker links in the chain of oppression and their profiteers. Curfews, police killings, gentrification, ecological terrorism, war against the own population and against foreign countries - the system gives us daily occasions to look for targets whose continuous destruction may at some point be more than a figure in the balance sheet or a report in the press. -
The Specter of Sunni Military Mobilization in Lebanon
The Specter of Sunni Military Mobilization in Lebanon Patricio Asfura-Heim • Chris Steinitz with contributions by Ghassan Schbley Cleared for public release DOP-2013-U-006349-Final November 2013 Strategic Studies is a division of CNA. This directorate conducts analyses of security policy, regional analyses, studies of political-military issues, and strategy and force assessments. CNA Strategic Studies is part of the glob- al community of strategic studies institutes and in fact collaborates with many of them. On the ground experience is a hallmark of our regional work. Our specialists combine in-country experience, language skills, and the use of local primary-source data to produce empirically based work. All of our analysts have advanced degrees, and virtually all have lived and worked abroad. Similarly, our strategists and military/naval operations experts have either active duty experience or have served as field analysts with operating Navy and Marine Corps commands. They are skilled at anticipating the “prob- lem after next” as well as determining measures of effectiveness to assess ongoing initiatives. A particular strength is bringing empirical methods to the evaluation of peace-time engagement and shaping activities. The Strategic Studies Division’s charter is global. In particular, our analysts have proven expertise in the follow- ing areas: The full range of Asian security issues The full range of Middle East related security issues, especially Iran and the Arabian Gulf Maritime strategy Insurgency and stabilization Future national security environment and forces European security issues, especially the Mediterranean littoral West Africa, especially the Gulf of Guinea Latin America The world’s most important navies Deterrence, arms control, missile defense and WMD proliferation The Strategic Studies Division is led by Dr. -
Cesifo Working Paper No. 3789 Category 2: Public Choice April 2012
A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Brockhoff, Sarah; Krieger, Tim; Meierrieks, Daniel Working Paper Looking back on anger: Explaining the social origins of left-wing and nationalist-separatist terrorism in Western Europe, 1970-2007 CESifo Working Paper, No. 3789 Provided in Cooperation with: Ifo Institute – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich Suggested Citation: Brockhoff, Sarah; Krieger, Tim; Meierrieks, Daniel (2012) : Looking back on anger: Explaining the social origins of left-wing and nationalist-separatist terrorism in Western Europe, 1970-2007, CESifo Working Paper, No. 3789, Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/57943 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, If the documents have been made available under an Open gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort Content Licence (especially Creative Commons Licences), you genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. may exercise further usage rights as specified in the indicated licence. -
Boko Haram Beyond the Headlines: Analyses of Africa’S Enduring Insurgency
Boko Haram Beyond the Headlines: Analyses of Africa’s Enduring Insurgency Editor: Jacob Zenn KASSIM BOKO HARAM BEYOND THE HEADLINES MAY 2018 CHAPTER 1: Boko Haram’s Internal Civil War: Stealth Takfir and Jihad as Recipes for Schism By Abdulbasit Kassim The jihadi insurgent movement Boko Haram has established itself as one of the relatively few jihadi movements to succeed in the capture, control, and governance of territory in Africa. Over the course of less than two decades, Boko Haram has morphed from a jihadi movement operating within Nigeria to a movement with a regional presence across multiple countries in West Africa and beyond. Since the internal civil war within the group shot into the news following the war of words between Abubakr Shekau and Muhammad Mamman Nur in August 2016, sundry observers have remained puzzled over how to describe the open competition and outright hostility that fractured the group into two factions. What is the current state of Boko Haram’s internal civil war in northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region? This is the most frequently asked question by policymakers, scholars, and the general public interested in understanding the trajectory of the decade-old insurgency. The answer to this question has often focused on a stationary analysis of the mutual recrimination between Shekau and Nur in August 2016. Nonetheless, many events are taking place behind the scenes that can only be grasped through a close reading of the constant stream of primary sources produced by the two factions. Abu Mus`ab al-Barnawi’s -
A Eurocentric Study of New Terrorism
Lunds universitet FKVK02 Statsvetenskapliga institutionen VT20 Freds- och konfliktvetenskap Handledare: Isabel Bramsen A Eurocentric Study of New Terrorism Assessing New Terrorism´s validity and applicability in describing European terrorism 2010-2018 using quantitative research. Henrik Lindholm 19970330–1193 Characters: 69 977 1 Lunds universitet FKVK02 Statsvetenskapliga institutionen VT20 Freds- och konfliktvetenskap Handledare: Isabel Bramsen Abstract New Terrorism has been a highly regarded theory in the field of terrorism since the late 1990s, but how accurate is it in regards to European terrorism in 2010-2018? Are terrorists more lethal, primarily religious, part of transnational and decentralized organizations, and are they using CBRN-weapons? This paper uses a quantitative study, with a descriptive and retroductive approach, of all terror attacks in Europe 2010- 2018, to examine New Terrorisms’ validity, and propose possible changes to the theory. I find that New Terrorism is partly correct. Terror groups are primarily transnational and non-hierarchical and lethality is higher than in the early 90s, although less so in Western Europe. Separatist groups are however found to be the most common type of movement, followed by ideological movements – responsible for 4 and 2 times as many terror attacks as religious groups. Likewise, the potential threat of terrorists using CBRN-weapons for mass destruction is found to be incorrect. Based on this, New Terrorism 2.0, Europe edition is proposed. Stating that separatist and ideological groups are the most common, lethality is high (but less so in Western Europe), organizations are primarily transnational and non-hierarchical, and the risk of terrorist using CBRN-weapons is low in contemporary European terrorism.