List of designated terrorist groups: Difference between revisions

Many organizations that are accused of being a terrorist organization deny using terrorism as a military tactic to achieve their goals, and there is no international consensus on the bureaucratic definition of terrorism. Therefore, this list is of organizations that are, or have been in the past, designated as "terrorist organizations" by other notable organizations, including the United Nations and national governments, where the proscription has a significant impact on the group's activities.^[1]

This listing does not include states or governmental organizations, which are considered under state terrorism, or unaffiliated individuals accused of terrorism, which are considered under lone wolf terrorism.

Religious terrorism is a form of religious violence. As with other forms of terrorism, there is no real consensus as to its definition. Groups are frequently classified as practitioners of religious terrorism for any one of the following reasons:

• The group itself is defined by religion rather than by other factors (such as ideology or ethnicity).
• Religion plays some part in defining or determining the objectives or methods of the group.
• The ultimate objective of the group is religiously defined.

Controversy concerning classification is often found because:

• Religion and ethnicity frequently coincide. Ethnic conflict may thus appear as religious, or religious conflict may appear as ethnic.
• Religious groups, like other groups, frequently pursue political goals. In such cases it is often not clear which is uppermost, the political goal or the religious motivation.

Groups which have used principal religious motives for their terrorist acts and were deemed as such by supranational organizations and governments are listed here in alphabetical order by religion.

• Army of God - An American pro-life terrorist group. ^[2]
• God's Army - A terrorist group in Myanmar.^[2]
• 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.^[2]
• National Liberation Front of Tripura (1989-present) A group that seeks the independence of Tripura from India to create a Christian Tripura.^[2]
• Phineas Priesthood An American based Christian Identity movement. ^[2]
• National Democratic Front of Bodoland, active terrorist in the Indian state of Assam, involved in the murder of Bineshwar Brahma, prominent Hindu Bodo activist.^[2]

• Abu Sayyaf (1991-present; Islamist separatists; the Philippines)^[2]
  • 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)^[2]
• Adolat - Uzbekistan^{[citation needed]}
• Akromiya - Uzbekistan^{[citation needed]}
• Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya (Late 1970s-present; Islamists; Egypt)^[2]
  • 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)^[2]
  • 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^[2]
• Ansar al-Islam (December 2001-present; Islamists; Iraq)^[2]
  • In Arabic, "Supporters of Islam."
  • Also known as "Partisans of Islam or Helpers of Islam."
• Al-Qaeda (1988-present; Islamists; Afghanistan, Pakistan, and worldwide)^[2]
  • In Arabic, "the foundation", "the base", or "the database" kept by intelligence services of anti-Soviet Afghani fighters.
  • 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)^[2]
  • 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
• Bunch of Guys (BOGs) or Group of Guys (GOGs), a counter-terrorism term to describe small, anonymous, self-organizing terrorist cells that have little to no contact with national or global leaders or 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 East Turkestan Liberation Organization, World Uighur Youth Congress and East Turkistan Information Center^[3][2]
• Egyptian Islamic Jihad - Egypt (active since the late 1970s)^[2]
• Fatah al-Islam - Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp, Lebanon; splittered from Fatah Uprising in 2006.^{[citation needed]}
• Hamas - West Bank, Gaza Strip. Listed as a terrorist organization by Australia, Canada, the European Union, Israel, and the United States^[2]
• Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM) - Pakistan and Kashmir^[2]
• Hizb-an-nusra - Uzbekistan^{[citation needed]}
• Hizb ut-Tahrir - international (legal in Britain and Australia)^{[citation needed]}
• Hezbollah - Lebanon; Listed as a terrorist organization by Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Israel, and the United States^[2]
• Hizbul Mujahideen - Pakistan and Kashmir^[2]
• Hofstad Network - Netherlands^{[citation needed]}
• Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain - Defunct^{[citation needed]}
• Islamic Movement of Central Asia - Central Asia (affiliated with Al Qaeda)^{[citation needed]}
  • Islamic Movement of Tajikistan - Tajikistan^{[citation needed]}
  • Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan - Uzbekistan^[2]
• Jaish-e-Mohammed - Pakistan^[2]
• Jaish Ansar al-Sunna - Iraq^[4]
• Jama'at al-Jihad al-Islami^{[citation needed]}
• Jemaah Islamiyah - Southeast Asia^[2]
• Jihad Rite - Australia (linked with Al Qaeda. Founded in 2001)^{[citation needed]}
• Jundallah - Iran and Pakistan (affiliated with the USA and Al-Qaeda)^[2]
• Lashkar-e-Jhangvi - Pakistan^[2]
• Lashkar-e-Toiba - Pakistan^[2]
• Maktab al-Khadamat - Afghanistan - Defunct
• Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group - Morocco and Spain^[2]
• Moro Islamic Liberation Front - (Islamic separatists; the Philippines)^[2]
• Palestinian Islamic Jihad - Israel, West Bank, Gaza Strip^[2]
• People Against Gangsterism and Drugs - South Africa^[2]
• RSM or Rajah Solaiman Movement - Philippines^[2]
• Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat - Algeria
• Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan - Pakistan^[2]
• Students Islamic Movement of India - India^[2]
• Takfir wal-Hijra - Egypt/Sudan/Algeria^[2]
• Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi - Pakistan
• Turkish Hezbollah - Kurdish organization operating in Turkey^[2]
• Turkish Islamic Jihad - Turkey^[2]

• 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)

• Gush Emunim Underground (existed from 1979-1984.)
• Jewish Defense League (no longer actively engaged in terrorist actions.[2])^[2]
• Kach^[2]
• Kahane Chai (designated as terrorist by Israel, the EU, and USA)^[2]

• Babbar Khalsa^[2]
• Bhinderanwala Tiger Force of Khalistan
• International Sikh Youth Federation [3]
• Dashmesh Regiment
• Khalistan Commando Force
• Khalistan Liberation Force
• Khalistan Liberation Front
• Khalistan National Army
• Khalistan Zindabad Force [4]
• 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.

• Aum Supreme Truth (Aum Shinrikyo) - Japan (homicidal religious cult)^[2]
• 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.[5]^[2]

• Irish National Liberation Army (1974-Present)^[2]
  • Splinter group:
    • Irish People's Liberation Organisation (1986-1992, defunct)
• Irish Republican Army (1922-1969) split into 'Official IRA' and 'Provisional IRA'.^[2]
• Official IRA (1969–present)^[2]
  • Been on ceasefire since 1972.
• Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) (1969-) The U.S. State Department removed the PIRA from its list of terrorist organizations in 2002.^[5] However they are still listed as a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK and Ireland.^[6]
  • Supporters of the PIRA evolved from the split in Sinn Féin which saw the formation of 'Official' Sinn Féin and 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 1998. However the British and Irish governments claimed they were responsible for the 2004 Northern Bank robbery, although this has never been proven, and denied by the IRA.
  • Ended armed campaign in September 2005.
  • Splinter groups:
    • Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) (1986-present)^[2]
      • Also known as the "Continuity Army Council" and "Óglaigh na hÉireann" (Gaelic for 'Volunteers of Ireland')
      • Does not recognize Good Friday Agreement.
    • Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) (1997-present)^[2]*
      • Also known as the True IRA and Óglaigh na hÉireann (Gaelic for Volunteers of Ireland).
      • Does not recognize Good Friday Agreement.

• Ulster Volunteer Force (named after the Ulster Volunteers 1912-1921, current UVF has existed since 1966)^[2]
  • Very closely linked with the Red Hand Commandos (1972-present).
  • Splinter group: Loyalist Volunteer Force ^[2]
• Ulster Defence Association (1971-present)^[2]
  • 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, 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
  • Splinter group: Red Hand Defenders^[2]
• 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)^[2]
• 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)^[2]

• Barisan Merah Putih; ultra nationalist group first recruited by KOPASSUS
• Laskar Jihad; Islamic ultra nationist group^[2]

• Irgun (1931-1948) - regarded as a terrorist group by the British authorities and mainstream Zionist organizations (ceasefire 1940 to 1943).
• Lehi (1940-1948) - regarded as a terrorist group by the British, by Zionist organisations and the UN mediator. [6]

• Abu Nidal^[2]
• Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades^[2]
• Black Hand (Palestine)^[2]
• Black September (group)^[2]
• Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)^[2]
• Fatah Hawks
• Force 17
• Hamas - listed as a terrorist organization by Australia,^[7] Canada,^[8][9] the United Kingdom,^[10] the European Union,^[11] Israel, and the United States,^[12] and is banned in Jordan.^[13]
• Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)^[2]
• Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC)^[2]
• Popular Resistance Committees^[2]
• Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement^[2]
• Palestine Liberation Front^[2]
• Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1964-present) - On December 14, 1988, the PLO officially renounced the use of terrorist tactics. 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.^[14][15] According to the NCIS, the PLO is "the richest of all terrorist organizations." (1993)^[16][2]
• The Holy Jihad Brigade^[2]
• Tanzim^[2]

• Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, aka Tamil Tigers)- Sri Lanka. One of the largest groups with an estimated 11,000 [7] 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 [8]. UNHCR has reported that this organisation recruits children by force. [9]^[2]

• Albanian National Army (KLA - ANA) - Republic of Serbia
• East Turkestan Islamic Movement - Central Asia and China^[2]
• East Turkistan Liberation Organization (China) ^[2]
• ETA (Basque Fatherland and Liberty) - Spain and southern France (founded 1959)^[2]
• GAL (Grupos Antiterroristas de Liberación) Spanish death squad (1980s)
• Croatian Revolutionary Brotherhood - Yugoslavia (disbanded)
• Front de Libération du Quebec - Canada, inactive (founded 1963)
  • Cells: Chenier Cell, Liberation Cell,
• Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK/KADEK/KONGRA-GEL) - Turkey^[2]
• Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA; 1996-2001) - Federal Republic of Yugoslavia^[2]
• Los Macheteros - Puerto Rico (founded 1976)^[2]
• National Council of Resistance of Iran (MKO front)^[17][18]
• National Front for the Liberation of Corsica (FLNC) - France
• People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK/MKO) - Iran
• Armed Islamic Group (GIA) - France, Algeria^[2]
• OJAL (Algeria)
• Ogaden National Liberation Front^[2]
• Oromo Liberation Front - 1973^[2]
• Organisation armée secrète (OAS) - France, Algeria (disbanded)
• VMO (1950-1970 and 1971-1983) - Flanders

• Anti-State Justice^[2]
• Black Star^[2]
• Conscientious Arsonists^[2]
• The Angry Brigade^[2]
• New Revolutionary Alternative^[2]
• Squamish Five

• Action Directe - France^[2]
• Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA, disbanded since 1986^{[citation needed]}) - Lebanon, Armenia^[2] and the USA^[2]
• CCC - Belgium
• Chukaku-Ha - Japan
• Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) - Nepal - currently taking part in disarmament and cooperation in a new interim government for Nepal^[2]
• Ejército de Liberación Nacional - Colombia
• Forças Populares 25 de Abril - Portugal (1980 - 1987)
• GRAPO - Spain
• Japanese Red Army (Sekigun) - Japan^[2]
• June 2 Movement - West Germany (disbanded)
• Khmer Rouge - Cambodia (disbanded)^[2]
• Naxals or Naxalites - India
• NPA or New People's Army - Philippines^[2]
• Revolutionary Organization 17 November (17N) - Greece^[2]
• Pan-Africanist Congress - South Africa (renounced violence)
• People's War Group - India^[2]
• Red Army Faction (popularly known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang) - Germany (founded 1967, disbanded)^[2]
• Red Brigades (Brigate Rosse) - Italy (founded 1969)^[2]
• Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) - Colombia^[2]
• Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP & DHKP/C) - Turkey
• Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) - Peru (active since the late 1960s)^[2]
• South West African Peoples Organisation - South West Africa/Namibia
• Symbionese Liberation Army - USA (disbanded)
• Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) - Peru^[2]
• United Freedom Front - USA (founded in 1976, now disbanded)^[2]
• United Liberation Front of Assam - India^[2]
• Weathermen - USA (founded in 1969, now disbanded)^[2]
  • Spin-off: May 19th Communist Movement (active 1978-85)^[2]

• Gate 32 (Albania)

• Army for the Liberation of Rwanda - Rwanda (Hutu emancipatory;genocidal)^[2]
• Aryan Nations - United States^[2]
• Boeremag - South Africa
• Charles Martel Group - France (disbanded)^[2]
• The Covenant, The Sword, and the Arm of the Lord (CSA) - United States^[2]
• Creativity Movement - United States
• Jondollah - Iran and Pakistan
• Ku Klux Klan - United States (founded in 1865 and revived several times since).^[2]
• Masada Action and Defense Movement - France (disbanded). French racists pretending to be Zionist radicals.^[2]
• National Socialist Movement - United Kingdom
• The Order - United States (disbanded)^[2]
• White Aryan Resistance - United States

• Contras - Nicaragua^[2]
• Alianza Anticomunista Argentina - Argentina^[2]
• Alianza Americana Anticomunista - Colombia
• Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia - Colombia^[2]
• Ranvir Sena - India

All groups recognised by the International terrorism report from the United States Central Intelligence Agency.^[19] The principle aim of these groups is to overthrow the current regime in Cuba.

• Abdala
• Alpha 66
• Anti-Castro Commando
• Anti-Communist Commandos
• Brigade 2506
• Condor
• Coordination of United Revolutionary Organizations (CORU - includes Orlando Bosch and Luis Posada Carriles)
• Cuba Action
• Cuba Action Commandos
• Cuban Anti-Communist League
• Cuban C-4
• Movement Cuban Liberation Front
• Cuban National Liberation Front (FLNC)
• Cuban Power (el Poder Cubano)
• Cuban Power
• Cuban Representation in Exile
• Cuban Revolutionary Directorate
• Cuban Revolutionary Organization
• Cuban Youth Group International
• Secret Revolutionary United Cells
• JCN (expansion unknown)
• Latin American Anti-Communist Army
• Movement of Cuban Justice Movement of the Seventh (M-7)
• National Integration Front (FIN; Cuban Nationalist Front)
• Omega 7
• Pedro Luis Boitel
• Command Pedro Ruiz Botero
• Commandos Pragmatistas
• Scorpion (el Alacran)
• Second Front of Escambray
• Secret Anti-Castro Cuban Army
• Secret Cuban Government
• Secret Hand Organization
• Secret Organization Zero
• Young Cubans
• Youths of the Star

• 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.^[2]
• 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.^[2]
• Environmental Life Force - Disbanded in 1972. Used explosive and incendiary devices in defense of the environment.

• Army of God -- anti-abortion, operates in the United States. Property damage and loss of life in attacks on abortion clinics.^[2]

• Interahamwe - Rwanda - Hutu nationalist, strongly anti Tutsi. Responsible for the 1994 Rwanda genocide
• Janjaweed - Sudan
• Mungiki - Kenya
• Revolutionary United Front - Sierra Leonean rebels^[2]
• The ANC resolved to terrorism at some point^[20][21], through its Umkhonto we Sizwe branch, active from 1961 to 1990.

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

• Action Directe (AD), an anti-NATO organization responsible for the 1986 murder of Georges Besse.^[2]

• FLAMA Madeira Archipelago Liberation Front, separatist group from Madeira.
• Frente de Libertação dos Açores (FLA) Azores Liberation Front, separatist group from Azores.

• Black Metal Inner Circle (disputable), a group comprised of seminal Norwegian black metal musicians widely believed to have existed in the early 1990s. Some of these members burnt more than forty churches throughout Norway on the basis of violently expelling Christianity and supplanting it with alternative ideologies such as satanism and neo-paganism - which were endorsed and supported by Euronymous, the alleged leader of the group - hence some have perceived this group a relatively minor terrorist group.

• ETA Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, main terrorist organization in Spain responsible of the numerous bombings, seeking an independent Basque Country. See also Kale borroka.^[2]
• GRAPO Grupo Antifacista Primero de Octubre^{[citation needed]}, terrorist organization of extreme left
• FAG Fuerzas Armadas Guanches^{[citation needed]}, terrorist organization of the Islas Canarias part of MPAIAC in the 1970s.
• Terra Lliure terrorist group of Catalonia in the 1980s and 1990s.^[2]
• Exército Guerrilheiro do Povo Galego Ceive^{[citation needed]} separatist group in Galicia from 1986 to 1993.

• Animal Rights Militia, a terrorist organization responsible for numerous letter bombs in Great Britain during the 1980s.
• Scottish National Liberation Army, a Scottish terrorist organization fighting for the cause of Scottish independence.
• An Gof, a Cornish terrorist organization fighting for the cause of Cornish independence.

• 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. The U.S. Government held that the American Indian Movement was an "extremist" organization, because of "illegal bombing, bomb-making, or other terrorist activity."^{[citation needed]} AIM members are alleged to have bombed the visitor's center at Mount Rushmore on June 27, 1975, and to have planted additional bombs at power plants around the Pine Ridge reservation that same year.^{[22][citation needed]}
• 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. ^[2]
• Extremist Black Muslims, a separatist involved in numerous shootouts with police and other violent activities including the "Zebra Killings" in which fourteen people were murdered in the San Francisco-area. ^{[citation needed]}
• Black Nation of Islam (BNI), a terrorist organization active during the 1970s and 80s.
• Black Revolutionary, a terrorist organization active in New York during the 1970s.^[2]
• Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), a terrorist organization responsible for the 1973 murder of Oakland school superintendent Marcus Foster and, most notably, the 1974 kidnapping of Patricia Hearst.
• Weather Underground (WU), radical terrorist organization responsible for nineteen bombings between 1969 and 1974, including the U.S. Capitol Building in 1971 and The Pentagon in 1974.

• Category:Terrorists for individual terrorists.
• Definitions of terrorism
• State terrorism
• Category:Designated terrorist organizations
• 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
• Charities accused of ties to terrorism
• State-sponsored terrorism

• MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base