TERRORIST
GROUP
PROFILES
MILNET
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Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
From: Patterns of Global Terrorism. United States Department of State Publication 10321
Description
Islamic extremist group operating in the southern Philippines led by
Abdurajik Abubakar Janjalani. Split from the Moro National Liberation
Front in 1991.
Activities
Uses bombs, assassinations, kidnappings for ransom, and extortion
payments from companies and businessmen in its efforts to promote an
Iranian-style Islamic state in Mindanao, an island in the southern
Philippines heavily populated by Muslims. Staged a raid on the town of
Ipil in Mindanao in April 1995, the group's first large-scale action.
On October 8, 2001, Philippine National Security Adviser blamed three small bombs
exploded in hotels in the Zamboanga City in South Philippines.
The Adviser says the group of Islamic militants has ties to Osama bin Laden.
In January of 1995, members were arrested and later convincted in U.S. court,
of planning and building bombs to blow up 11 large passenger planes over the
Pacific Ocean.
Strength
About 200 members, mostly younger Muslims, many of whom have studied or
worked in the Gulf states, where they were exposed to radical Islamic
ideology
Location/Area of Operation
The ASG operates almost exclusively on Mindanao Island, although it
bombed a light railway in Manila in 1993.
External Aid
Probably has ties to Islamic extremists in the Middle East-has been linked
to Al-Qaida, Usama Bin Laden's terrorist network.
Created: 02/11/97
Last Updated: 02/11/97
Page Maintained by George Goncalves - ggoncalves@nps.navy.mil