DUDLEY KNOX LIBRARY
Naval Postgraduate School
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DUDLEY KNOX LIBRARY |
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Other Names
Fatah
Revolutionary Council
Arab Revolutionary Brigades
Black September
Revolutionary Organization of Socialist Muslims
Description
International terrorist organization led by
Sabri al-Banna. Split from PLO in 1974. Made up of various functional
committees, including political, military, and financial.
Activities
Has carried out terrorist attacks in 20
countries, killing or injuring almost 900 persons. Targets include the
United States, the United Kingdom, France, Israel, moderate
Palestinians, the PLO, and various Arab countries. Major attacks
included the Rome and Vienna airports in December 1985, the Neve Shalom
synagogue in Istanbul and the Pan Am flight 73 hijacking in Karachi in
September 1986, and the City of Poros day-excursion ship attack in
Greece in July 1988. Suspected of assassinating PLO deputy chief Abu
Iyad and PLO security chief Abu Hul in Tunis in January 1991. ANO
assassinated a Jordanian diplomat in Lebanon in January 1994 and has
been linked to the killing of the PLO representative there. Has not
attacked Western targets since the late 1980s.
Strength
A few hundred plus limited overseas support
structure.
Location/Area of Operation
Al-Banna relocated to Iraq in
December 1998, where the group maintains a presence. Has an operational
presence in Lebanon in the Bekaa Valley and several Palestinian refugee
camps in coastal areas of Lebanon. Also has a limited presence in Sudan
and Syria, among others, although financial problems and internal
disorganization have reduced the group's activities and capabilities.
Authorities shut down the ANO's operations in Libya and Egypt in 1999.
Has demonstrated ability to operate over wide area, including the Middle
East, Asia, and Europe.
External Aid
Has received considerable support, including
safehaven, training, logistic assistance, and financial aid from Iraq,
Libya, and Syria (until 1987), in addition to close support for selected
operations.
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