Terrorist Organizations and Other Groups of Concern

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade

From: "Chapter 8; Foreign Terrorist Organizations," Country Reports on Terrorism 2005, US Department of State, April 30, 2006.

a.k.a. al-Aqsa Martyrs Battalion

Description
The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade consists of an unknown number of small cells of terrorists associated with the Palestinian Fatah organization. Al-Aqsa emerged at the outset of the 2000 Palestinian intifada to attack Israeli targets with the aim of driving the Israeli military and settlers from the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem, and establishing a Palestinian state.

Activities
Al-Aqsa has carried out shootings and suicide operations against Israeli civilians and military personnel in Israel and the Palestinian territories, rocket and mortar attacks against Israel and Israeli settlements from the Gaza Strip, and the killing of Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel. Al-Aqsa has killed a number of U.S. citizens, the majority of them dual U.S.-Israeli citizens, in its attacks. In January 2002, al-Aqsa was the first Palestinian terrorist group to use a female suicide bomber.

Strength
Unknown.

Location/Area of Operation
Al-Aqsa operates in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip, and has only claimed attacks inside these three areas. It may have followers in Palestinian refugee camps in southern Lebanon.

External Aid
Iran and Hizballah probably provide some support to al-Aqsa elements, but the extent of external influence on al-Aqsa as a whole is not clear.

Featured Multimedia

	Emerson Discusses Homegrown Terror on C-SPAN IPT Executive Director Steven Emerson spent a half-hour discussing Jihad Jane and other homegrown terror threats March 12. He also answered viewer questions and discussed the Investigative Project on Terrorism's work.

	Al-Arian's "Active Arm" For years, Al-Arian insisted he and his Islamic Committee for Palestine had no connection to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In this 1991 video, he seems quite comfortable being introduced as the head of the Jihad's "active arm."

	George Galloway's Viva Palestina Speech in Jordan Standing amid the flags of Hamas and of the Izz al Din al Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, British MP George Galloway speaks on behalf of Viva Palestina in Jordan. Befrore he speaks, the crowd chants a historic taunt of Jews.

Latest Articles by IPT

Most Viewed

Most Mailed