List of designated terrorist groups
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This page is for organizations only. For individuals, see Category:Terrorists.
There exist many different definitions of terrorism, but the article terrorism notes the following most commonly included elements:
- Use of unlawful violence or the threat of unlawful violence.
- Targeting civilians.
- Non-state actor. (See state terrorism instead.)
- Absence of a state of war (specifically conventional warfare), thus excluding war crimes.
- Designed to coerce, frighten, or "send a message" to the public or a government (thus excluding organized crime performed for personal gain).
Organizations listed on this page have verifiably used or attempted to use terrorist tactics, by the above criteria. Self-identification as a "terrorist" group is not required; see terrorism for a list of alternative terms, with both positive and negative connotations.
Religious Terrorists
- 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.
- Lord's Resistance Army Christian/Pagan terrorist group that operates in northern Uganda, it seeks to overthrow the Ugandan government and create a country based on the ten commandments.
- Shiv Sena A Hindu militant group, Shiv Sena or "The Army of Shiva" is a legal right-wing political party in India designated only by one nation (Pakistan) as a terrorist group.
- Patit Pawan Sanghatana fascist Hindu organization founded by Savarkar which rejects the Sangh Parivar as "contaminated by Socialism"
- Shambaji Brigade Hindu youth group which attacked the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) because it had been used by James Laine, who wrote a critical history of Shivaji
- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Hindu Fascist organisation in India.
- Kach and Kahane Chai - Israel and United States. The Hatikva Center is a Kahane Chai front organization. Note- organizations are now both defunct.
- Stern Gang - (1920-1948, defunct) Israel
- Gush Emunim Underground - Israel. Sometimes called the (Jewish Terror Organization), formed in 1979 by prominent members of Gush Emunim. Their principal terrorist actions were carried out between 1980 and 1984.
- 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.
- Aden-Abyan Islamic Army (Yemen)
- 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.
- Hamas (founded 1987)
- 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
- Egyptian Islamic Jihad - Egypt (active since the late 1970s)
- Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM) - Pakistan and Kashmir
- Hezbollah
- Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain
- Islamic Movement of Central Asia - Central Asia
- Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan - Uzbekistan
- Jaish-e-Mohammed - Pakistan
- Jaish Ansar al-Sunna - Iraq
- JKLF Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front - Pakistan and Kashmir
- Jemaah Islamiyah - Southeast Asia
- (Jihad Rite) - Australia (linked with Al Qaeda. Founded in 2001)
- Lashkar-e-Jhangvi - Pakistan
- Lashkar-e-Toiba - Pakistan
- Maktab al-Khadamat - Afghanistan
- Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group - Morocco and Spain
- Muslim Brotherhood - international
- 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
- Hofstad Network - Netherlands
- Hizb-ut-Tahrir
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)
- Babbar Khalsa
- Bhinderanwala Tiger Force of Khalistan
- Saheed Khalsa Force
- Khalistan Liberation Force
- Khalistan Commando Force
- Khalistan Liberation Front
- Khalistan National Army
- Dashmesh Regiment
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
Pre-Independence Irish Nationalists
- Fenian Brotherhood (19th century, disbanded)
Irish Nationalists (Northern Ireland)
- Irish Republican Army (IRA) (1916-1921)**
- Irish Republican Army (1922-1969) formed out of the IRA split over the Anglo-Irish Treaty
- Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) (1969-present)
- Splinter group of the 'Official' IRA (now defunct).
- 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
- Ended armed campaign in September 2005.
- 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 (1974-present)
- Splinter group:
- Irish People's Liberation Organisation (1986-1992, defunct)
- Splinter group:
- Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, aka Tamil Tigers)- Sri Lanka. One of the largest terrorist groups with 10,000 Tamils who fight for liberation from SriLankan government. The group has carried out 240+ suicide bombings since the early 80s in the process of what they describe as their freedom struggle.
Northern Irish Loyalists (Northern Ireland)
- 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
- Orange Volunteers
Other nationalist terrorists
- an gof - Cornwall - (inactive)
- 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 Nationale- Algeria
- Front de Libération du Quebec - Canada (founded 1963)
- Cells: Chenier Cell, Liberation Cell,
- Kosovo Liberation Army - (KLA)
- Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK/KADEK/KONGRA-GEL) - Turkey
- Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam - Sri Lanka
- Los Macheteros - Puerto Rico (founded 1976)
- National Front for the Liberation of Corsica (FLNC) - France
- African National Congress (historical) - South Africa
- Organisation de l'Armée Secrète (OAS) - France, Algeria (disbanded)
- Action Directe - France
- Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) - Lebanon, Armenia and the USA
- Chukaku-Ha - Japan
- Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) - Nepal
- 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
- Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front (DHKP & DHKP/C) - Turkey
- 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)
- Spin-off: May 19th Communist Movement (active 1978-85)
Racist terrorists (mostly neo-Nazis and white-supremacists)
- Army for the Liberation of Rwanda - Rwanda (Hutu emancipatory; possibly genocidal)
- Aryan Nations - United States
- Boeremag - South Africa
- Combat 18 - United Kingdom
- Column 88 - 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.
- 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
- Alianza Anticomunista Argentina - Argentina
- Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia - Colombia
- Contras - Nicaragua (disbanded)
- Coordination of United Revolutionary Organizations - Cuba (CORU - includes Orlando Bosch and Luis Posada Carriles)
- Death squads - El Salvador
- Gladio or stay-behind (in Europe after World War II, first discovered in Italy as responsible of the strategy of tension in the 1970s)
- Omega 7 - anti-Castro Cuban exile group - Florida, Cuba
- Alpha 66 - anti-Castro Cuban exile group - Florida, Cuba
- Mongoose Gang - Grenada
- Ranvir Sena - India
Issue groups
These groups are active on particular political issues, seeking policy change but not necessarily the overthrow of the state. Classifying these groups as "terrorist organizations" may be more controversial than most. Some of these groups attempt to limit their actions to property damage only, and avoid harming humans (or in some cases, humans and animals). In these cases, they usually consider property damage to be "non-violent", though opponents and law enforcement agencies usually disagree.
- ALF (Animal Liberation Front) - UK and US. 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 - 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. It is to be noted that PETA has lent financial support to both ALF and ELF.
- Environmental Life Force - Disbanded in 1972. Used explosive and incendiary devices in defense of the environment.
Others
- The Angry Brigade - United Kingdom (anarchists) (disbanded)
- Army of God
- Buffalo Battalion - Mozambique
- EOKA (Ethniki Organosis Kypriakou Agonistov) - Cyprus (anti-Turkish, pro-Enosis)
- Front for the Advancement and Progress of Haiti (FRAPH) - Haiti
- Interahamwe - Rwanda
- Janjaweed - Sudan
- Mungiki - Kenya
- National Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Haiti - Haiti
- Quantrill's Raiders led by William Quantrill - USA (pro-Confederate guerillas)
- Revolutionary United Front - Sierra Leonean rebels
- Tonton Macoutes - Haiti
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