Location/Area
of Operation
Operates in Turkey, Europe, and the Middle East.
External Aid
Has received safehaven and modest aid from Syria, Iraq, and Iran.
The Syrian Government expelled PKK leader Ocalan and known elements
of the group from its territory in October 1998.
Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
Other known front organizations: World Tamil Association (WTA), World
Tamil Movement (WTM), the Federation of Associations of Canadian Tamils
(FACT), the Ellalan Force, the Sangilian Force.
Description
Founded in 1976, the LTTE is the most powerful Tamil group in Sri
Lanka and uses overt and illegal methods to raise funds, acquire weapons,
and publicize its cause of establishing an independent Tamil state.
The LTTE began its armed conflict with the Sri Lankan Government in
1983 and relies on a guerrilla strategy that includes the use of terrorist
tactics.
Activities
The Tigers have integrated a battlefield insurgent strategy with a
terrorist program that targets not only key personnel in the countryside
but also senior Sri Lankan political and military leaders in Colombo
and other urban centers. The Tigers are most notorious for their cadre
of suicide bombers, the Black Tigers. Political assassinations and
bombings are commonplace. The LTTE has refrained from targeting foreign
diplomatic and commercial establishments.
Strength
Exact strength is unknown, but the LTTE is estimated to have 8,000
to 10,000 armed combatants in Sri Lanka, with a core of trained fighters
of approximately 3,000 to 6,000. The LTTE also has a significant overseas
support structure for fundraising, weapons procurement, and propaganda
activities.
Location/Area
of Operations
The Tigers control most of the northern and eastern coastal areas
of Sri Lanka but have conducted operations throughout the island.
Headquartered in northern Sri Lanka, LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran
has established an extensive network of checkpoints and informants
to keep track of any outsiders who enter the group's area of control.
External Aid
The LTTE's overt organizations support Tamil separatism by lobbying
foreign governments and the United Nations. The LTTE also uses its
international contacts to procure weapons, communications, and any
other equipment and supplies it needs. The LTTE exploits large Tamil
communities in North America, Europe, and Asia to obtain funds and
supplies for its fighters in Sri Lanka. Information obtained since
the mid-1980s indicates that some Tamil communities in Europe are
also involved in narcotics smuggling. Tamils historically have served
as drug couriers moving narcotics into Europe.
Mujahedin-e
Khalq Organization (MEK or MKO)
a.k.a. The National Liberation Army of Iran (NLA, the militant wing
of the MEK), the People's Mujahidin of Iran (PMOI), National Council
of Resistance (NCR), Muslim Iranian Student's Society (front organization
used to garner financial support)
Description
Formed in the 1960s by the college-educated children of Iranian merchants,
the MEK sought to counter what it perceived as excessive Western influence
in the Shah's regime. Following a philosophy that mixes Marxism and
Islam, has developed into the largest and most active armed Iranian
dissident group. Its history is studded with anti-Western activity,
and, most recently, attacks on the interests of the clerical regime
in Iran and abroad.
Activities
Worldwide campaign against the Iranian Government stresses propaganda
and occasionally uses terrorist violence. During the 1970s the MEK
staged terrorist attacks inside Iran and killed several US military
personnel and civilians working on defense projects in Tehran. Supported
the takeover in 1979 of the US Embassy in Tehran. In April 1992 conducted
attacks on Iranian embassies in 13 different countries, demonstrating
the group's ability to mount large-scale operations overseas. The
normal pace of anti-Iranian operations increased during the "Operation
Great Bahman" in February 2000, when the group claimed it launched
a dozen attacks against Iran. During the remainder of the year, the
MEK regularly claimed that its members were involved in mortar attacks
and hit-and-run raids on Iranian military, law enforcement units,
and government buildings near the Iran-Iraq border. The MEK also claimed
six mortar attacks on civilian government and military buildings in
Tehran.
Strength
Several thousand fighters based in Iraq with an extensive overseas
support structure. Most of the fighters are organized in the MEK's
National Liberation Army (NLA).
Location/Area
of Operation
In the 1980s the MEK's leaders were forced by Iranian security forces
to flee to France. Most resettled in Iraq by 1987. In the mid-1980s
the group did not mount terrorist operations in Iran at a level similar
to its activities in the 1970s. In the 1990s, however, the MEK claimed
credit for an increasing number of operations in Iran.
External Aid
Beyond support from Iraq, the MEK uses front organizations to solicit
contributions from expatriate Iranian communities.
National
Liberation Army (ELN)--Colombia
Description
Marxist insurgent group formed in 1965 by urban intellectuals inspired
by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. Began a dialogue with Colombian officials
in 1999 following a campaign of mass kidnappings--each involving at
least one US citizen--to demonstrate its strength and continuing viability
and to force the Pastrana administration to negotiate. Bogota and
the ELN spent most of 2000 discussing where to establish an ELN safehaven
in which to hold peace talks. A proposed location in north central
Colombia faces stiff local and paramilitary opposition.
Activities
Kidnapping, hijacking, bombing, extortion, and guerrilla war. Modest
conventional military capability. Annually conducts hundreds of kidnappings
for ransom, often targeting foreign employees of large corporations,
especially in the petroleum industry. Frequently assaults energy infrastructure
and has inflicted major damage on pipelines and the electric distribution
network.
Strength
Approximately 3,000 to 6,000 armed combatants and an unknown number
of active supporters.
Location/Area of Operation
Mostly in rural and mountainous areas of north, northeast, and southwest
Colombia and Venezuela border regions.
External Aid
Cuba provides some medical care and political consultation.
The Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
Description
Originated among militant Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the
1970s. Committed to the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state and
the destruction of Israel through holy war. Because of its strong
support for Israel, the United States has been identified as an enemy
of the PIJ, but the group has not specifically conducted attacks against
US interests in the past. In July 2000, however, publicly threatened
to attack US interests if the US Embassy is moved from Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem. Also opposes moderate Arab governments that it believes
have been tainted by Western secularism.
Activities
Conducted at least three attacks against Is