From: Patterns of Global Terrorism. United States Department of State Publication 10321
Description
Formed in 1969, the Marxist-Leninist BR seeks to create a revolutionary
state through armed struggle and to separate Italy from the Western
Alliance. In 1984 split into two factions: the Communist Combatant Party
(BR-PCC) and the Union of Combatant Communists (BR-UCC).
Activities
Original group concentrated on assassination and kidnapping of Italian
Government and private-sector targets; it murdered former Prime Minister
Aldo Moro in 1978. [Extreme leftist sympathizers have carried out several
small-scale terrorist attacks to protest the presence and foreign
policies of both the United States and NATO, ] kidnapped US Army Brig. Gen. James Dozier in 1981, and claimed
responsibility for murdering Leamon Hunt, US chief of the Sinai
Multinational Force and Observer Group, in 1984. The group had been largely
inactive since Italian and French authorities arrested many of its members
in 1989. [With limited resources and followers to carry out major
terrorist acts, the group is mostly out of business.]
Strength
Probably fewer than 50, plus an unknown number of supporters.
Location/Area of Operation
Based and operates in Italy. Some members probably living clandestinely in
other European countries.
External Aid
Currently unknown; original group apparently was self-sustaining but
probably received weapons from other Western European terrorist groups and
from the PLO.
Created: 04/02/95
Last Updated: 03/16/99
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