MILNET Brief
  Terrorism 101, A Tutorial on International Terrorism Today
July 18, 2005

"To all my fellow Americans. . .I say, one thing we owe those who have sacrificed is the duty to purge ourselves of the dark forces which gave rise to this evil. They are forces that threaten our common peace, our freedom, our way of life."

-U.S. President Bill Clinton, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, April 23, 1995 1

"September 11, 2001 was a day of unprecedented shock and sufferng in the History of the United States.  The nation was unprepared.  How did this happen and how can we avoid such tragedy again?"

- The 9/11 Commission Final Report, 7/22/2004

International Terrorism - Everyone knows what that is, right?  MILNET's staff and guest writers have probed into that question and found a very surprising answer.  So much has been offered in the area of explanations, excuses or even sympathy, that it is quite apparent that, in fact, it is hard for many to pin down the facts and separate the fiction.

This briefing will define international terrorism using:
  1. A definition of terrorism
  2. a summary some of the root causes including some rather spectacular errors made in judging those causes
  3. a look at Militant Islamic Jihadist groups and Al Qaeda as an example of the "new" terrorist organizations
  4. a look at the top ten and several other important terrorist groups
  5. a look at the tools of the terorrist, specifically, bombs
  6. an opinion on what the future holds in International Terrorism
The focus of the brief is Islamic Terrorism, the most violent and pervasive form of International terrorism -- one which we all acknowledge has killed and unfortunately will kill for many years to come.


Definition of Terrorism - Legal Framework

The legal framework for what is terrorism remained in flux after the rash of anti-Semitic terrorism in the mid 1960s. Much of that flux was due to a number of members of the United Nations refusing to condemn or at a minimum ignoring the wave of attacks against Israel and her citizens as well as obstruction from countries such as the Soviet Union whose own policies and support for socialist breeding grounds the world over also consisted of using terrorism to achieve their goals.

However, the Bonn Summit brought together nations interested in eradicating terrorism and one of the first legally binding definitions was agreed upon.  Today a slightly modified version exists in International law and is the basis for the U.S. definition 2:
Specifically, the law states quite clearly that terrorism is an unlawful act which involves
The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 3 specifically recognizes acts of terrorism and makes terrorism a federal crime punishable by death, as well as aids in the investigation, capture, and trial of terrorists in the United States.  It also includes provisions that allow U.S. deportation proceedings without being compelled by Terrorists to divulge classified information.  And finally the act disallows fundraising in the U.S. that supports terrorist organizations, and bars terrorists from entering the U.S.

On October 24, 2001, the U.S. Congress passed the Patriot Act of 2001 4 which enhances domestic surveillance capabilities under continued rigid privacy controls, details the acts of international money laundering, removes several key obstacles to the investigation of terrorists in the U.S., as well as provides aid for terrorism victims, public safety officers and their families.

Other legislation since the attacks on September 11, 2001 have created the Department of Homeland Security, codified interagency communication and information sharing, as well as established key anti-terrorist and counterintelligence capabilities and/or integration centers for information on terrorist activities inside and out of the U.S.

Clearly the U.S. government is taking international terrorism seriously.  It is small wonder considering the events of September 11, 2001.


The Root Causes of International Terrorism

As mentioned earlier, there are two major causes of international terrorism, subversion by those attempting to force change within their country, and those attempting to destroy an age old enemy.  In the case of the former Soviet Union, the KGB used agents to penetrate and rally subversives in countries around the world, and provided key support, through funding, weapons and logistics.  At the same time, the Arab-Israeli conflict was the centerpiece for Arab nation support of radical Islamic terrorists.  Eventually these terrorists convinced young people to strap on explosives and kill Israelis and Arabs alike while making themselves martrys to Allah.  Today the Soviet menace is gone, however the Arab enthusiasm for killing anyone who opposes their Salafiyya based interpretation of Islam has not yet reached its peak.

The root of the political subversive terrorist drive is actually simple to understand.  In nations where the populace has the ability to effect change, but factions are not strong enough to force that change, the subversives have resorted to violence as a means to achieve their goals.  A fine example is the long fought battles between the Irish Republican Army in Ireland which spread to all of the British Isles before a relatively peaceful conclusion in the last decade.  The Spanish Basque Separatists are another good example of this terrorist drive -- the separatists using violence to frighten the population which has resisted the group's demands for the better part of the twentieth century.

In the case of the Palestinian-Arab terrorist drive, the root causes are surrounded by propaganda to such a degree, the common person has difficulty parsing out the truth.

Essentially, the issues surround both a long and even ancient animosity between Arab and Jew that goes back into Biblical history.  However, the modern angst surfaced on the day the country of Israel came into being.  Within 24 hours the Arab nations surrounding the new country attacked.  In reality, those attacks have not abated. Rather, when the army and air forces could no longer threaten to extinguish the Israeli nation, the guerilla warfare began and the Palestinian Arab became the tool to be used to destroy Israel. 

Modern Islamic Terrorism is the most dangerous form of terrorism today, extending the Palestinian-Arab cause into every corner of the globe and killing thousands.  The roots of this particular form of terrorism are actually quite easy to define, yet are surrounded in obsfucation, both for political reasons as well as propaganda by those conducting or condoning the terrorist operations.

Many liberal analysts believe western arrogance and displays of power brokering has given rise to the Palestinian-Arab form of international terrorism.  While certainly these factors might play a small part in the overall problem, the real causes lie deeper in the psyche of the Arab populations which fuel the attacks on Jews and non-Jews alike. 

In other corners, the war between insurgents and the protectors in Iraq is characterized as freedom fighters attacking would be U.S. invaders.  There is great angst surrounding the idea that the War on Iraq is not part of the War on Terror, and indeed is wasting lifes and resources in the wrong war.  Of course, when the insurgents began attacking Iraqis in large numbers prior to the Iraqi elections, the lie was revealed and today every Iraqi innocent put to death by the insurgents continues to confirm the lie.  Identities of those insurgents killed or captured clearly indicate the insurgency is a foreign invasion not by the U.S., but Islamic terrorists desperate to prevent Iraq from becoming a democratic nation in the midst of the Middle East.  Terrorists identified are in large numbers from Syria, Iran and for the most part loosely led by an immigrant from Jordan, Musab Al-Zarqawi..  Where are there more terrorist attacks daily than anywhere in the world in July of 2005?  In Iraq.  Clearly Iraq has become the new fighting ground of the War on Terror.  Few who analyze terrorism and its causes are surprised.  Iraq stands to be a larger threat to Islamic Extremists than even Israel.  Why?  A Democratic Iraq with a constitution, free elections and codified and enforced civil and human rights flys in the face of the 4th century dogma of the Salayfiyya adopted by 18th century clerics and now called Wahhabism.

MILNET's briefing on Wahhabism 5 outlines the details of the problematic philosophy and its beginnings.  This form of Islam also related strongly to Salafiyya - the one, pure faith according to its followers, provides the inspiration for Jihadism -- the desire to remove all but the infidel through any means possible including the sacrifice of one's own life.

Contrary to common believe, the Wahhabist/Salafiyya training throughout the world is not a function of anti-western zeal, it is the effect of the family Saud and Saudi Arabian arrogance.  The major funding for nearly all Wahhabist training facilities throughout the world has been a product of Saudi contributions.  And while the Saudi Royal family has taken steps to reduce or practically eliminate the export of the Wahhabist vitriol by their missionaries, the damage is already done and will effect many generations to come.  The virulent results will kill many during those next generations.  As Steve Emerson continues to point out, the Madrasah teaching the violent Jihadic message can be found in every major city in the U.S., even after 9/11. 

Al Qaeda and its followers have made one point abundantly clear over the last two decades.  The terrorists will not rest until every nation on the planet subscribes to and rules under their extremist version of Islamic Law.  Statement after statement from Osama Bin Laden and his chief Lieutenants have expressed their goals specifically.  The only course of action that will abate their terrorist acts is capitulation.  The only form of government they will allow is one based on the puritanical Salafiyya believes of Wahhabism, with the terrorists calling on every nation in the world to convert to the puritanical form of Islamic rule. 

In the latter part of this decade, the excuse making for poor muslims has ceased, and a recognition of the disease of the mind that is Salafiyya has moved to the forefront of theories of the root causes of Islamic Terrorism.  Aid to Israel, always a strong rallying point for the Islamic terrorist, is seen as the ultimate sin, placing the U.S. and U.K. at the very top of the list of nations to be eradicated by Islamic Terrorists.  However, the emergence of a Palestinian State will not end Islamic Terrorism, simply because the Palestinian Issue is no longer the rallying call.  It is conversion to pure Islam for the world.

No country is safe.  The bombings in Bali, Indonesia demonstrated that anti-western hatreds (Australian, U.S., and European) were more than enough cause for an Al Qaeda associated Islamic terrorist group to kill hundreds.  The attacks in Madrid and London demonstrate that Europe is far from being safe from Islamic terrorists. 

Some countries have attempted to appease the terrorists.  Countries like France are building themselves into havens for Islamic Terrorists, with huge populations in the millions of displaced Muslims being educated in a large number of Wahhabist centered Madrasas.  The result, many analysts believe, will be a backlash as those budding terrorists begin to rampage across Europe.  MILNET's opinion piece, The Price of Liberalism 6, focuses on the French and other European's mistake.

There are a number of myths relating to the root causes of Islamic Terrorism, ranging from Israeli, British or American disinterest in Palestinain refugee conditions in Israel, to abuse of power and arrogance of both the British and the U.S.  Unfortunately these myths are frequently bolstered by political opponents of the current U.S. President and used as fictional dissent that is used by the propoganda machines supporting Islamic terrorists. 

MILNET has published an opinion piece on the various Myths of Oppression by the Israelies to a more recent look at the Myths of Terrorism, both well worth reading as part of this briefing.


The Militant Islamic Jihadist and Al Qaeda

The extension of the belief into Muslim training centers is thought to be the number one vector for this virulent disease of the mind. MILNET has published a brief 7 on how the Wahhabist training leads to terrorist cells worldwide.  The brief was created just prior to the bombings in London on July 7, 2005.  From that briefing we provide the following diagram on how cells are created:

The modern Jihadist is firstly and innocently trained in the finer tenets of the Muslim faith.  Islam is essentially a very peaceful and pious religion that recognizes the evil in human nature.  It counsels against succumbing to that evil nature and like Christianity, counsels against the effects of evil.  It also seeks to influence its followers to take pity and help through large tithing, aid to the needy and infirm.

However, young Islam followers from a local Muslim community may find themselves in a Wahhabist based Madrasah (a religious training center attached to the Muslim Mosque), which begins a virulent indoctrination based upon a warped interpretation of Islam which calls for the violent murder and thus elimination of the infidels -- those who do not follow the puritanical form of Islam dating back to the 4th century and repositioned in the 18th century as the family Saud began to take dominion over what is now Saudi Arabia.

These young muslims may then find themselves being trained in the finer arts of terrorist attacks, as well as further indoctrinate to kill the infidels.

Many come from newly adopted countries of their fathers -- perhaps an immigrant from Pakistan or Indonesia has landed in the U.S., the U.K., or France. The key is that the indoctrination prepares the budding new Jihadist for a forthcoming terrorist mission.  The young man returns to his new country and awaits orders, as part of a Militant Jihadist Group.  The MJGs are your basic sleeper cell.  Their only contact with Al Qaeda may have been during the physical and violent training -- supported in part or in whole by Al Qaeda funding and perhaps personnel. 
However, the MJG has a leader with more than enough cannon fodder to be thrown against the infidels.  Either through communication to the "old country" or through an opportunity seized by the local leader, the MJG then sets out to prove their loyalty and effectiveness.  The results are attacks upon unwitting populations, perhaps including that very same Muslim community that provides cover for the MJG.

Al Qaeda's major organization no longer exists as it did prior to 9/11.  However, it's main contribution to the wave of Islamic terrorism continues through associated groups and through what many believe is a continuing financial and training network.  Below we provide an exclusive look at how the Al Qaeda umbrella organization now feeds Islamic Terrorism, a diagram which includes up-to-date information about the terrorists thought to have executed the London bombings.

Al Qaeda need no longer plan and execute their  operations directly.  Due to the popularity of the  Al Qaeda attacks amongst Jihadists and their financial supporters, anyone trained as a Jihadist can execute an act of terrorism and gain instant recognition by claiming to be an Al Qaeda affiliated organization.  The diagram to the right demonstrates several forms of this effect.  For instance, the Frankfurt cell of Jihadists was well funded and supported by Al Qaeda members. This cell planned and executed the attacks of September 11, 2001 on the U.S. 
Similarly, the cell in Madrid planned and conducted the attacks on the Spanish rail system just prior to that nations elections..  It is thought that while they had Al Qaeda training and a small amount of support and perhaps given a list of possible high value targets, they were an established cell of Islamist extremists who "made their name" by executing the Madrid attacks.

However, Al Qaeda has also become a linking point for existing organizations needing funding or more local support.  An example is Abu Sayaff in the Philippines, which "glomed" onto the Al Qaeda network as a means to enhance their own standing, and perhaps to receive recruits and funding.

The attacks in Bali were another established organization that pledged their allegiance to Al Qaeda well after their initial formation in Indonesia, Malaysia and elsewhere in the region.

The cell in London, however, is thought to have been Al Qaeda trained, but a wholly local operation.  These agents of radical Islam are believed to have lived and were citizens in the U.K.  After their training outside of the U.K., they waited for just the right opportunity to both do maximum damage as well as highlight their cause when the public eye was on London -- clearly choosing the G8 conference in Scotland as an excellent focus date.  Prior to the attacks, the cell was totally unknown and only after the attacks was it clear that they were tied to Al Qaeda and their Jihadist training.  We may learn that the London bombers were trained well before they entered the U.K. or were trained after becoming citizens, having exited the country to attend Jihadist training elswhere before returning to plan their attack.

A similar operation could be brewing in any city or town across the world.  An example, perhaps, of this type of operation could be the Lodi Five 8 -- a tiny  group of Pakistani immigrants living amongst a larger peaceful Muslim population in Lodi, California.  Could this have been a similar Militant Jihadist Group waiting for orders?  The FBI has stated this is the case, and the first of several expected trails of two of the Lodi Five will begin on August 23, 2005.


The Top Ten Terrorist Groups

The chart below lists the top ten terrorist groups in the world.  The criteria in rating these groups is simple, they must be highly active, account for many attacks, and appear to be for the most part unabated for some time in our future.

Name
 Led By
 Description
 Cnt
Al Qaeda
(aka al-Qaida)
"The Base"
 Usama bin Laden
(aka Osama bin Laden)
 Helped finance, recruit, transport, and train Sunni Islamic extremists for the Afghan resistance to the Soviet occupation. Current goal is to "reestablish the Muslim state" throughout the world. Works with allied Islamic extremist groups to overthrow regimes it deems "non-Islamic" and remove Westerners from Muslim countries. Issued statement under banner of "The World Islamic Front for Jihad Against The Jews and Crusaders" in February 1998, saying it was the duty of all Muslims to kill US citizens, civilian or military, and their allies everywhere.  Al-Qaida also maintains moneymaking businesses, collects donations from like-minded supporters, and illicitly siphons funds from donations to Muslim charitable organizations.  While his family claims to have broken all ties with him, there is speculation that all of his funds were taken before his ostracization. 100s-1000s
Tawhad and
Khalid bin Al Walid Brigade
(Changed name to
Tanzim Qa'idat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn -- QJBR)
a.k.a. al-Zarqawi Network
 		Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
(Support from and links to Al Qaeda)
 Virulent anti-Shia extremists led by a Palestinian-Jordanian  petty criminal who has risen to power baseed upon his fanatical hatred and execution of Shia Muslims.  Zarqawi is linked to al-Qaeda and several major bombings and assasinations in Iraq.  Like the al-Sadr followers, the group also has taken and beheaded hostages when their demands have not been met.
Linked to Jordanian Abu al-Zarqawi and al-Qaeda, claimed several bombings in Iraq and on July 18, 2004, offered the equivalent of a $280,000 reward for the killing of Prime Minister Alwai, the leader of the Interim Iraqi Government.
 100s
Ansar al-Islam
(Partisans of Islam)

 (Support from and links to Al Qaeda as well as al-Zarqawi's QJBR)
 Ansar al-Islam is a radical Islamist group of Iraqi Kurds and Arabs who have vowed to establish an independent Islamic state in Iraq. It was formed in December 2001 and is closely allied with al-Qaida. Some of its members trained in al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan, and the group provided safehaven to al-Qaida fighters before Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Since OIF, it has been one of the leading groups engaged in anti- Coalition attacks. (Ansar al-Islam was designated on 20 February 2003, under E.O. 13224. The UNSCR 1267 Committee designated Ansar al-Islam pursuant to UNSCRs 1267, 1390, and 1455 on 27 February 2003.) First designated in March 2004.  (source 2003 Patterns of Global Terrorism, U.S. Department of State).  Another group has emerged attempting to combine all the Iraqi insurgents, Ansar Al Sunnah.  It is not clear whether this is just an expansion of Ansar Al Islam.
 700-1000
Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement)
While Hamas is typically an attacker of Israelis and those Muslims working with Israelis, numerous reports of Hamas members flocking to Iraq to fight the infidels have been confirmed, especially those identified with Izz al-Din al-Qassam Forces. (MILNET)

HAMAS was formed in late 1987 as an outgrowth of the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and has become Fatah's principal political rival in the occupied territories. Various elements of HA-KAS have used both political and violent means, including terrorism, to pursue the goal of establishing an Islamic Palestinian state in place of Israel. HAMAS is loosely structured, with some elements working openly through mosques and social service institutions to recruit members, raise money, organize activities, and distribute propaganda. Militant elements of HAMAS, operating clandestinely, have advocated and used violence to advance their goals. HAMAS's strength is concentrated in the Gaza Strip and a few areas of the West Bank. It has also engaged in peaceful political activity, such as running candidates in West Bank chamber of commerce elections.  (source 2003 Patterns of Global Terrorism, U.S. Department of State)		 10s of thousands supporters, hardcore membership count in not known.
Hizbollah
Thought to have flocked to Iraq to fight the coalition, some reports indicate they are providing bomb making and organization where needed.  MILNET

Radical Shia group formed in Lebanon; dedicated to creation of Iranian-style Islamic republic in Lebanon and removal of all non-Islamic influences from area. Strongly anti-West and anti-Israel. Closely allied with, and often directed by, Iran, but may have conducted rogue operations that were not approved by Tehran. (source 2003 Patterns of Global Terrorism, U.S. Department of State)		 1,000-2,000
Mujahedin-e-Khalq ?
 The MEK philosophy mixes Marxism and Islam. Formed in the 1960s, the organization was expelled from Iran after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, and its primary support for years came from the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. Its history is studded with anti-Western attacks as well as terrorist attacks on the interests of the clerical regime in Iran and abroad. The MEK now advocates a secular Iranian regime. Most of the fighters are organized in the MEK’s National Liberation Army (NLA). (source 2003 Patterns of Global Terrorism, U.S. Department of State).  Note that the MEK is at odds with most of the Wahhabist centered Islamic terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda. 1000-2000
Abu Sayaff
 Abdurajik Abubakar Janjalani., killed in clash with police in Decemberof 1998, replaced by Khadaffy Janjalani
(Support and links to Al Qaeda)
 Islamic extremist group operating in the southern Philippines which has spread throughout the South China Sea, while maintaining its main base of operations in the southern islands (Mindanao Island) of the Philippines. Many of the older members served in the Afghan war, establishing links with Mujahidin who later enter Bin Laden's Al Qaeda, then forming links back to Mindanao.  Split from the Moro National Liberation Front in 1991.  The group has used kidnapping and ransom as a rather successful financial tool.  The group has been under severe pressure from the Philippines government with the aid of U.S. anti-terrorism advisors and several attempts to eradicate the group have met with measured success, however it remains active and is a political problem for the current national leadership in the Philippines.  MILNET interprets the possible Afghan connection as meaning there may also be links into Pakistan.
 100-500
Jemaah Islamiya (JI) Riduan bin Isomoddin (a.k.a. Hambali)
Captured in August of 2003
 Jemaah Islamiya is a Southeast Asian–based terrorist network with links to al-Qaida. The network recruited and trained extremists in the late 1990s, following the stated goal of creating an Islamic state comprising Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the southern Philippines, and southern Thailand.

Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya
 Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman [Shaykh Umar abd al-Rahman] is the preeminent spiritual leader. An indigenous Egyptian Islamic extremist group active since the late 1970s; appears to be loosely organized with no single readily identifiable operational leader. Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman [Shaykh Umar abd al-Rahman] is the preeminent spiritual leader. Goal is to overthrow the government of President Hosni Mubarak and replace it with an Islamic state.  Operates mainly in the Al Minya, Asyu't, and Qina Governorates of southern Egypt. It also appears to have support in Cairo, Alexandria, and other urban locations, particularly among unemployed graduates and students.  Egyptian Government believes that Iran, Sudan, and Afghan militant Islamic groups support the group.  The 2002 Patterns of Global Terrorism cites links to militant groups in Afghanistan, which MILNET interprets may also mean links into Pakistan.
 1000-2000
Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade
 ?
 The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade comprises an unknown number of small cells of Fatah-affiliated activists that emerged at the outset of the current intifadah to attack Israeli targets. It aims to drive the Israeli military and settlers from the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem and to establish a Palestinian state.  Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade has carried out shootings and suicide operations against Israeli military personnel and civilians and has killed Palestinians who it believed were collaborating with Israel. At least five US citizens, four of them dual Israeli-US citizens, were killed in these attacks. The group probably did not attack them because of their US citizenship. In January 2002, the group claimed responsibility for the first suicide bombing carried out by a female.  Al-Aqsa operates mainly in the West Bank and has claimed attacks inside Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Data compiled by MILNET from the U.S. Dept. of State's Patterns of Global Terrorism, 1995 through 2003 9

Other important groups considered in the spread of Islamic Terrorism are:


Name
 Led By
 Description
 Importance
Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM)
(Movement of the Warriors)
a.k.a. Jamiat ul-Ansar (JUA) 		Fazlur Rehman Khalil, in mid-February 2000 stepped down as HUM emir, turning the reins over to the popular Kashmiri commander and his second in command, Farooq Kashmiri. Khalil
(Links to Al Qaeda)
 The HUM is an Islamic militant group based in Pakistan that operates primarily in Kashmir. It is politically aligned with the radical political party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazlur Rehman faction (JUI-F). Longtime leader of the group, Fazlur Rehman Khalil, in mid-February 2000 stepped down as HUM emir, turning the reins over to the popular Kashmiri commander and his second in command, Farooq Kashmiri. Khalil, who has been linked to Usama Bin Ladin and signed his fatwa in February 1998 calling for attacks on US and Western interests, assumed the position of HUM Secretary General. HUM operated terrorist training camps in eastern Afghanistan until Coalition airstrikes destroyed them during fall 2001. In 2003, HUM began using the name Jamiat ul-Ansar (JUA), and Pakistan banned the successor JUA in November 2003. First designated in October 1997.  Based in Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi, and several other towns in Pakistan (See MILNET Lodi Five briefing).  The HUM trained its militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan and thus may still have strong support networks in either or both countries. Supporters throughout Pakistan, rallies the so called "Arab Street" in Pakistan.  Provides Jihadist training to Muslims in country and is believed to fund and help operate Madrasah in Pakistan.  May be hiding Osama Bin Laden in the regions bordering Afghanistan.
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazlur Rehman faction (JUI-F) Fazlur Rehman Associated with the Deobandi Islamic tradition, a Sunni extremist faction of the Muslim faith.  The group is associated with no less then two other former Aftghan fighter terrorist groups (Jarakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM) and Harakat ul-Jihad-I-Islmami (HUJI)), as well as links to terrorists operating in the Kashmir region of Pakistan/India.
 Maintains and supports the Deobandi Islamic extremist ideology, with Madrasas that are believed to recruit candidates for Jihadist training camps in Pakistan or perhaps Afghanistan.
Jaish e-Mohammed (JEM)
(Arm of Mohammad)
a.k.a. Tehrik ul-Furqaah,
Khuddam-ul-Islam
 ?
 Extremely militant and violent Isalmic, pro-Taliban group active in India and the Kashmir region. Jaish takes the battle to the people of India, however, attacking innocent targets deep inside India rather than focusing only on Kashmir.  a U.S. State Department release on 10/12/01 identified this group officially as a terrorist group and the U.S. Justice Department added the group to the list of groups whose funds will be seized worldwide by members of the Anti-Terrorist Coalition.  Ties to Al-Qaida (Osama Bin Laden) and the Islamic Egyptian Jihad (Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri). Thought to have many of its members trained by Al-Qaida and related organizations in Afghanistan.  Most of the JEM’s cadre and material resources have been drawn from the militant groups Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI) and the Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM). The JEM had close ties to Afghan Arabs and the Taliban. Usama Bin Ladin is suspected of giving funding to the JEM. Maintains a number of supporters in Pakistan and bordering areas of Afghanistan, may be hiding Osama Bin Laden
Harakat ul-Jihad-I-Islami (HUJI) (Movement of Islamic Holy War) Amin Rabbani HUJI, a Sunni extremist group that follows the Deobandi tradition of Islam, was founded in 1980 in Afghanistan to fight in the Jihad against the Soviets. It is also affiliated with the Jamiat Ulema-I-Islam Fazlur Rehman faction (JUI-F) and the Deobandi school of Sunni Islam. The group is made up primarily of Pakistanis and foreign Islamists who are fighting for the liberation of Kashmir and its accession to Pakistan.  Also believed to have links to the Kashmiri Al-Faren terrorist group that claimed credit for the kidnap of five Western tourists in July of 1995.
 Maintains and supports the Deobandi ideology in Madrasah in Pakistan and perhaps Afghanistan.  Believed to use the Madrasah to recruit into Jihadist training camps in Pakistan and perhaps Afghanistan
Harakat ul-Jihad-I-Islami - Bangledesh (HUJI-B)
 Shauqat Osman The mission of HUJI-B is to establish Islamic rule in Bangladesh. HUJI-B has connections to the Pakistani militant groups Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI) and Harak ul-Mujahidin (HUM), who advocate similar objectives in Pakistan and Kashmir. HUJI-B was accused of stabbing a senior Bangladeshi journalist in November 2000 for making a documentary on the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh. HUJI-B was suspected in the July 2000 assassination attempt of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. HUJI-B has an estimated cadre strength of over several thousand members. Funding of the HUJI-B comes primarily from madrassas in Bangladesh. The group also has ties to militants in Pakistan that may provide another funding source.  Provides addtional support to Pakistani terrorists via training and recruitement, however, Madrasah in Bangledesh may provide funds to supporters of Pakistani terrorist groups who in turn provide those funds to Pakistani training camps or Madrasah who recruit for those trainng camps.
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ)
a.k.a. Lashkar-i-Jhangvi
 (Linked to Al Qaeda)
 Pakistani Islamic terrorists linked to attempts on the life of Pakistani President, General Pervez Musharraf.  Militant offshoot of the Sunni sectarian group Sipah-i- Sahaba Pakistan (SSP). The group focuses primarily on anti-Shia attacks and was banned by Pakistani President Musharraf in August 2001 as part of an effort to rein in sectarian violence.   LJ is active primarily in Punjab and Karachi. Some members travel between Pakistan and Afghanistan.  After the collapse of the Taliban, LJ members became active in aiding other terrorists with safehouses, false identities, and protection in Pakistani cities, including Karachi, Peshawar, and Rawalpindi. Provides funding to Pakistani Madrasah which recruit into Jihadist training camps.
Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LT) (Army of the Righteous)
 MDI chief, Professor Hafiz Mohammed Saeed

 Armed wing of the Pakistan-based religious organization, Markaz-ud-Dawa- wal-Irshad (MDI)--a Sunni anti-US missionary organization formed in 1989. One of the three largest and best-trained groups fighting in Kashmir against India, it is not connected to a political party. Based in Muridke (near Lahore) and Muzaffarabad.  The LT trains its militants in mobile training camps across Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Afghanistan.
Al-Jihad
a.k.a. Jihad Group, Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ) 		Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri Merged with Osama Bin Laden's Al Qaeda in June of 2001.  Members operate independent of but in concert with Al Qaeda.  Historically operated in the Cairo area, but most of its network is outside Egypt, including Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, and the United Kingdom, and its activities have been centered outside Egypt for several years. Maintians recruting opertions throughout the Middle East as well as criminal organizations providing funds to Al Qaeda through drug and human trafficking.
Asbat ak-Ansar
a.k.a. League of the Followers
Lebanon-based, Sunni extremist group, composed primarily of Palestinians and associated with Usama Bin Ladin’s al-Qaida organization. The group follows an extremist interpretation of Islam that justifies violence against civilian targets to achieve political ends. Some of those goals include overthrowing the Lebanese Government and thwarting perceived anti-Islamic and pro-Western influences in the country. First designated in March 2002. Aside from its activities against Israel, which are not to be ignored, the group is thought to be an arm of the Syrian Intelligence Service, providing control and incitement in Lebanon. During the calls for Syria's pullout from Lebanon, the group, along with Hamas and Hizbollah, rallied their followers in a tremendous show of support in the streets of Lebanon.  It is believed the group will remain active in Lebanon despite recent efforts to democractize that nation.
Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC)
 ?
(Has delcared allegiance to Al Qaeda)
 The Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC), an outgrowth of the GIA, appears to have eclipsed the GIA since approximately 1998 and is currently the most effective armed group inside Algeria. In contrast to the GIA, the GSPC has gained some popular support through its pledge to avoid civilian attacks inside Algeria. Its adherents abroad appear to have largely co-opted the external networks of the GIA and are particularly active throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. First designated in March 2002..  Algerian expatriates and GSPC members abroad, many residing in Western Europe, provide financial and logistic support. In addition, the Algerian Government has accused Iran and Sudan of supporting Algerian extremists in years past.  Operates in Algeria, Northern Mali, Northern Mauritania, and Northern Niger. This terrorist group continues to interfere in and around Algeria, making it difficult to provide aid and change to some of the poorest and most stricken nations in Africa.
Data compiled by MILNET from the U.S. Dept. of State's Patterns of Global Terrorism, 1995 through 2003 9
There are many more localized organizations such as Basque Separtists in Spain, Shining Path in Peru, and FARC in Colombia who occassionally make headlines but, for the most part are not considered International by MILNET simply because they do not export their terror beyond a small region. For more information on  terrorist groups see the MILNET Briefing on International Terrorist Groups.

Note that a number of the top ten terrorist groups are thought to be involved in the insurgency in Iraq, see the MILNET summary of Terrorism in Iraq for more information.


The Tools of the Terrorist

The international terrorist has had to adapt to a changing security environment over the decades since the 1960s.  Their responses have thus created changes in security.  This cycle was most evident on September 11, 2001.  Prior to that point, it had been the policy of aircraft crew and airline companies, to simply go along with hijackers in order to minimize the loss of life.  However, one brave crew and passenger complement, realizing that their plane too could be used as a giant lumbering missile, refused to go along and that flight was crashed into the woods in Pennyslvania.  Many believe that its target could have been the White House or the U.S. Capital building.   From that moment forward, the policy allowing the terrorist to have his way aboard an aircraft died with those passengers and crew.

Along with that policy shift, has already come a new shift in tools of the terrorist. With airline boarding areas fielding metal detectors, explosives detection swabs and hand held metal detector wands, things such as knives, guns, and even explosives have become impossible to bring aboard an aircraft.

Richard Reid, a would-be airline bomber, was found trying to light his shoes.  As much as this seemed to appear almost comical, the idea becomes deadly serious, espeically days after two attacks on London mass transit that appears to have used the same type of explosive detonator.  The material intended to trigger the plastique explosive in Richard Reid's shoes is known as TriAcetone TriPeroxide or TATP.   Reid's methodology was to use TATP as a detonator cord, leading to the plastique.  He was simply told to light the cord and his shoes would go off with a rather large bang, taking him and a chunk of the airplane with him to Allah.  Fortunately, the improvised detonator cord failed and the passengers overcame him.

The reason TATP is imporant to our discussion is the advent of metal detectors for mass transit.  Many mass transit entrances use metal detector "archways", forcing all passengers to pass through them. As Reid and his accomplices knew, TATP would not be detected by the metal detectors.  Unlike most other types of detonators in bombs which use batteries and wires to trigger the main explosive material, TATP can be ignited by heat alone.  Since TATP is non-metallic, it does not require batteries or wires and when combined with plastique like SEMTEC, the entire bomb is virtually invisible to metal detectors.

Of course it is not totally undetectable. Explosive swabs used today can be modified to detect TATP residue and already detect residue from the major explosives used by terrorists.  Bomb sniffing dogs can be trained to detect TATP as well.  Of course, mass transit across the world, especially the ubiquitous rail lines in Europe, do not appear to have the means or passenger patience to submit all passengers to airline like security checks, thus the terrorists current explosive methodology appears to be working just fine.

It should be noted that while a bomb the size of a backpack can kill several dozen people near it, it is by no means as effective as say an airliner, missile or iron bomb.  It is the terror of uncertainity, the stress of immenient danger, and the chaos produced by such a weapon that does the job.  Terror is the weapon, more than the explosive itself. 

Thus future terrorist weapons deployment such as chemical or biological will be just as effective in producing the desired results, killing a few and terrorizing thousands or millions.  Terrorist experts agree, it is not a matter of IF a major chembio attack occuring, but WHEN. 

The same holds true for radiological weapons -- the so called dirty bomb.   The dirty bomb is nothing more than an improvised explosive -- this could be a fertilizer bomb -- surrounded by radioactive nuclear waste material.  Toxic to the extreme, the nuclear waste is spread by the explosion as well as decimated into fine particles that are easily breathed.  The result is, in an area confined by the blast radius and expanded by the wind, a cloud of toxic material that is extremely difficult and dangerous to cleanup and which is invisible just like a chemical or biological attack.  The simple knowledge that a radiological attack as occurred is thought to be one of the most frightening of all terror attacks.  Again, experts note the use of this type of weapon is enevitable, forcing homeland security operators the world over to add nuclear detection to their arsenal of anti-terrorist weapons.

And finally, there is the ultimate terror weapon, the full out nuclear weapon.  Using plutonium and uranium, the nuclear weapon creates a high order explosion -- that is, nuclear division (fission) or nuclear fusion occurs, converting nearly all the nuclear material from mass to energy. Atomic bombs create huge holes in the ground at their detonation point, a giant fireball that kills for miles, an invisible electromagnetc pulse that will destroy electronics for miles,  a ring of compressed air that will blow down buildings for miles and then lasting radioactive fallout that will remain a problem for days, weeks, months or even years.  We should also mention that beyond the fireball, the light and energy escaping is similar to that of the sun, and thus many are killed by the energy pulse, leaving their shadow on walls or buildings left standing.  It is not a pretty picture, and this type of weapon can, before six months have passed, have killed tens of thousands.

Major Low Order Explosives
Name
 Use
Main Explosives (listed in order of sophistication/preference by explosives experts)
C-3 or C-4
 U.S./NATO plastique explosive.  Looks like clay, easily moldable to make adhoc shaped charges.  You can put it on a fire and it will not explode, must have large concussion style detonators, very stable.  Controlled substance and difficult to obtain.  It can be manufactured, but it takes a fairly sophisticated laboratory.
SEMTEC
 Eastern Bloc elastique explosive.  Looks like clay, easily modlable to make adhoc shaped charges.  Very stable, you need a concussion detonator to set off this plastique.  Huge quantities of the material were sold to the Arab Nations by the Soviet Union, it is ubiqutious amongst terrorist groups.  Tons of it have been uncoverd in Iraq in caches all over the country.  Tons and tons remain thorughout the Arab speaking nations and it is readily available to terrorists.  In western nations this is a highly restricted and controlled substance, but obviously July 2005 has proven that even the harshest bans on substances will not prevent their appearance and use.
RD4
 One of the more popular explosive materials, used in commercial applications, replacing the older technology found in Dynamite.  It is a high yield low order explosive which is easily exploded by a standard blasting cap, yet not as dangerous as explosives that use nitroglycerine
Dynamite
 Dynamite is very unstable explosive, sensitive to shock and heat.  The ingredient that makes it so is nitroglycerine which can be set off simply jarring it significantly, and which can also leech out of the dynamite and create other dangers.  It has not been used for decades, however third world nations may have aging supplies -- in of itself dangerous -- dynamite does not sit well.
Fertilizer
 Certain compounds found in fertilizer can be used to create an improvised explosive device.  Unlike plastique or dynamite, a fertilizer bomb requres a large volume of material, like say a 50 gallon drum, to make an effective explosive device.  It is also quite easy to detect -- the bomb maker, those handling the drums even may give themselves away as the residue is difficult to wash off. The compounds include ammonia and nitrides, we'll not list the exact components or formula.
Detonators
Blasting Cap
 A 3/8 inch X 2 inch cylinder filled with gunpowder or equivalent.  This device acts much like the primer in a rifle cartridge, imparting heat and impact to the main explosive.  Blasting caps themselves are quite dangerous as the small explosion they create can take off a finger or hand, and ts shrapnel can take out an eye
Primer Cord
 Also uses something akin to gunpowder, but in the shape of a tightly woven cord allowing it to generate heat and impact over a shaped or larger area.  Primer cord usually includes a very high burning temperature material not unsimilar to a road flare, but which is consumed in milliseconds.
TATP
 Similar to primer cord, this is made of  , and can be manufactured in a local bomb maker's laboratory with materials not all that hard to procure.  As the 7/21/2005 London bombers found, the TATP may work properly, but if it is not situtated into the main explosive material correctly, it will produce smoke, dust, as well as a flash and bang, but the main explosive may not go off, leaving behind clues to explosives experts.

For more information on weapons, consult the MILNET Brief on weapons, and look over carefully, Chemical and Biological Weapons, and Nuclear Weapons. 

It is MILNET's policy NOT to discuss the details of bomb making or the ingredients, the table above is the first of its kind, and will be the last.  Not too, that our coverage of nuclear weapons, while complete, has errors introduced into the construction of nuclear weapons that make it useless to would be weapons designers.


The Future of International Terrorism

Opinion:  We at MILNET would love to be able to report that things look rosy in our future visa-vis international terrorism.  However, the facts do not support that outlook.  While the United States and United Kingdom are leading the struggle to eradicate Islamic Terrorism there is by no means any indication that they can do it alone.  There are nations in our world who frankly are demonstrating both stupidity and cowardice. 

Appeasement is the worst form of capitulation because it attempts to deceive the public and placate the terrorist, yet many nations are embarked in that direction. It is no surprise that France is the leader in this area.  And it will also be no surprise that France will be a major victim of Islamic Terrorism some time in the future.  All the French government is doing is breeding Islamic terrorists in large numbers and simply putting off their date with retribution.  Worse, this is the exact course of action France took during the socialist terrorist activities of the sixties and seventies, resulting in a huge uptick in French casualties when eventually the terrorists tired of French spinelessness.

As detailed in or opinion piece, The Price of Liberalism 6, the French government has concluded a study which shows the disaffected Muslims in France are not only gathered in large numbers (many millions!) due to French immigration policy, but these Muslims are not only not integrated into French society, they are being taught in the Wahhabist traditions at most of their local Mosques.

But the problem is not simply with liberal ignorance of real world facts.  In the region in and around Indonesia, the Muslim populations have been the "lucky" recipients of mass migrations of Muslim clerics trained and anxious to tech the Salafiyya form of Islam, creating large numbers of Militant Islamic Jihadists there.  In the case of this region though, corrupt and/or weak governments unable to crack down on these terrorist elements are allowing to both breed and train with near impunity.  With the largest Muslim population in the World, the region outstrips the Middle East for the number of potential Jihadists. 

A simple statistical analysis shows that both Europe and the Indonesian region of the South China Sea will soon provide the majority of all potential Jihadists, with the Middle East numbers actually falling as more Middle Eastern nations begin to reduce their potential for breeding grounds.


Sources:
  1. Counterterrorism Fact Sheet, U.S. Department of State, released by the White House, April 30, 1996 (MILNET Mirror)
  2. Rules for Designation of Terrorist Organizations, U.S. Department of State, 1999 (MILNET Mirror)
  3. Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, SR 735, The United States Congress, became law on 4/24/1996 (MILNET Mirror)
  4. The U.S. Patriot Act of 2001, The United States Congress, became law on 10/24/2001 (MILNET Mirror)
  5. Wahhabism, MILNET Brief, 12/22/2003
  6. The Price of Liberalism, MILNET Opinion, 7/6/2001
  7. London Attacks Proves Theory, MILNET Brief and Opinion, 7/7/2001
  8. The Lodi Five Terrorism Case, MILNET Brief, updated 7/16/2005
  9. International Terrorist Profiles, MILNET Brief (Compiled from profiles worldwide, including those contained in the U.S. Department of State's Patterns of Global Terrorism, also Mirrored on MILNET)
  10. Changes to the U.S. Intelligence Community, MILNET Brief



© Copyright 2005, Michael G. Crawford for MILNET