Imirat Kavkaz (IK), the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU), and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) stand as significant players in the realm of terrorism within Central Eurasia and Central Asia. While each group boasts distinct origins, goals, and tactics, they are bound by a shared commitment to employing violence to achieve their objectives. IK, spearheaded…
In the wake of the military dictatorship that gripped Greece from 1967 to 1974, the seeds of radical leftist and anarchist ideologies took root, giving rise to a wave of domestic terrorism that continues to shape the country’s security landscape. This tumultuous period marked the emergence of Greece’s most notorious terrorist groups, Revolutionary Organization 17…
Al-Qa’ida, a name that strikes fear and invokes images of terror, is one of the most infamous terrorist organizations in the world. Since its formation in 1988 by Usama Bin Ladin and other militants who fought in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union, it has been at the forefront of global security concerns. The roots of…
Al-Qa’ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) stands as a significant Islamist militant organization operating primarily in the North African region. With its origins dating back to the early 2000s, AQIM emerged from the remnants of the Algerian Civil War and the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), seeking to establish an Islamic state governed…
Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is a Sunni extremist group based in Yemen that has orchestrated numerous high-profile terrorist attacks. Emerging in January 2009, AQAP marked its presence through the amalgamation of Yemeni and Saudi terrorist elements, signaling its ambition to become a central hub for regional terrorism in the Arabian Peninsula. The precursor…
Ansar al-Sharia, meaning “Partisans of Islamic Law,” has emerged as a formidable force in regions grappling with political upheaval and social instability. With branches in Libya and Tunisia, this militant Islamist group has garnered attention for its fervent commitment to establishing Sharia law while vehemently opposing perceived Western interference. In Libya, Ansar al-Sharia found fertile…
Al-Shabaab is a militant Islamist group based in Somalia. The organization emerged in the early 2000s as a radical offshoot of the Islamic Courts Union, which Ethiopian and Somali Transitional Federal Government forces ousted from power in Somalia in 2006. Al-Shabaab’s stated aim is to overthrow the Somali government and establish an Islamic state in…
Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, meaning “Supporters of Jerusalem,” is a militant organization primarily operating in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The group has been involved in various acts of violence and terrorism, targeting both Egyptian security forces and civilians. The origins of Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis can be traced back to the aftermath of the 2011 Egyptian…
The Al-Nusra Front, also known as Jabhat al-Nusra, is a militant Islamist group that emerged during the Syrian Civil War. The organization was formed in January 2012, with the primary objective of overthrowing the government of Bashar al-Assad and establishing an Islamic state in Syria. Al-Nusra Front gained prominence for its military prowess and effective…
The Afghan Taliban, an Islamist militant group, emerged in the early 1990s amidst the chaos and power struggles following the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. Founded by Mullah Mohammad Omar, a former mujahideen fighter during the Soviet-Afghan War, the Taliban swiftly rose to prominence, capturing Kabul in 1996 and establishing a strict interpretation of Sharia law…
