| Country | TERRORIST GROUPS - FOREIGN BASED |
|---|
| Afghanistan |
al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS):
aim(s): establish an Islamic caliphate in the Indian subcontinent
area(s) of operation: heaviest presence is in Afghanistan, especially in the eastern and southern regions, where most of the Afghan-based leaders are located
note(s): targets primarily Afghan military and security personnel and US interests
Haqqani Taliban Network (HQN):
aim(s): expel US and Coalition forces and replace the Afghan Government with an Islamic state operating according to a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of Sharia under the Afghan Taliban
area(s) of operation: stages attacks from Kurram and North Waziristan Agency in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) across from Afghanistan's southeastern border; operational throughout the country, especially in Kabul and Paktiya and Khost provinces
note(s): plays a leading role in planning and executing high-profile attacks against Afghan personnel, NATO’s Resolute Support Mission, US and Coalition Forces, and other US and Western interests
Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI):
aim(s): implement Sharia in Afghanistan; enhance its networks and drive foreign troops from Afghanistan
area(s) of operation: operations throughout Afghanistan, targeting primarily Afghan Government personnel and Coalition forces
Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM):
aim(s): enhance its networks and paramilitary training in Afghanistan and, ultimately, incorporate Kashmir into Pakistan; establish an Islamic state in Kashmir
area(s) of operation: maintains paramilitary training camps in eastern Afghanistan
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM):
aim(s): participate in the insurgency against Afghan and international forces to support a Taliban return to power in Afghanistan and annex the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan
area(s) of operation: historically operated in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces
Jaysh al Adl:
aim(s): enhance its operational networks and capabilities for staging cross-border attacks into Pakistan and Iran
area(s) of operation: operational in the greater Balochistan area, where fighters stage attacks targeting Shia Muslims in Iran and Pakistan
note(s): formerly known as Jundallah
Lashkar i Jhangvi (LJ):
aim(s): enhance its networks and paramilitary training in Afghanistan; exterminate Shia Muslims, rid the Afghanistan-Pakistan region of Western influence
area(s) of operation: headquartered in the east; operates paramilitary training camps near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border across from the central area of Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) region; operatives conduct operations inside Afghanistan
Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LT):
aim(s): annex the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan and foment Islamic insurgency in India; attack Western, Indian, and Afghan interests in Afghanistan; support the Taliban’s return to power; enhance its recruitment networks and paramilitary training in Afghanistan, and, ultimately, install Islamic rule throughout South Asia
area(s) of operation: targets Coalition forces and Western interests throughout the country; maintains several facilities, such as paramilitary training camps, medical clinics serving locals, and schools for youths; targets Pashtun youth for recruitment (April 2018)
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| Algeria |
HAMAS:
aim(s): fundraising and diplomatic outreach in Algeria
area(s) of operation: small contingent of officials, probably in Algiers (April 2018)
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| Argentina |
Hizballah:
aim(s): largely limited to generating political and financial support from the Lebanese diaspora
area(s) of operation: conducted operations in the 1990s; maintains a limited presence (April 2018)
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| Bangladesh |
al-Qa'ida (AQ):
aim(s): overthrow the Bangladesh Government and, ultimately, establish a pan-Islamic caliphate under a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of Sharia
area(s) of operation: operates in collaboration with its al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent affiliate
al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS):
aim(s): protect Muslims in Bangladesh from perceived injustices and, ultimately, establish an Islamic caliphate in the Indian subcontinent
area(s) of operation: active throughout the country, targeting primarily military and security personnel and US interests (April 2018)
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| Burkina Faso |
al-Qa'ida-affiliated Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM):
aim(s): establish an Islamic state centered in Mali
area(s) of operation: primarily based in northern and central Mali; targets Western and local interests in West Africa and Sahel; has claimed responsibility for attacks in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso
note(s): pledged allegiance to al-Qa'ida and AQIM; holds Western hostages; wages attacks against security and peacekeeping forces in Mali (April 2018)
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| Cameroon |
Boko Haram:
aim(s): establish an Islamic caliphate across Africa
area(s) of operation: conducts lethal bombing attacks and assaults, displacing thousands of people, especially in the Far North Region
note(s): violently opposes any political or social activity associated with Western society, including voting, attending secular schools, and wearing Western dress
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)-West Africa:
aim(s): implement ISIS's strict interpretation of Sharia; replace the Nigerian Government with an Islamic state
area(s) of operation: based primarily in Northeast Nigeria along the border with Niger, with its largest presence in northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad region; targets primarily regional military installations (April 2018)
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| Chad |
Boko Haram:
aim(s): establish an Islamic caliphate across Africa
area(s) of operation: conducts kidnappings, bombings, and assaults, including in the capital, N'Djamena
note(s): violently opposes any political or social activity associated with Western society, including voting, attending secular schools, and wearing Western dress
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)-West Africa:
aim(s): implement ISIS's strict interpretation of Sharia; replace the Nigerian Government with an Islamic state
area(s) of operation: based primarily in Northeast Nigeria along the border with Niger, with its largest presence in northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad region; targets primarily regional military installations (April 2018)
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| Djibouti |
al-Shabaab:
aim(s): punish Djibouti for participating in the African Union Mission in Somalia; compel Djibouti to withdraw troops from Somalia
area(s) of operation: maintains minimal operational presence (April 2018)
|
| Egypt |
al-Qa'ida (AQ):
aim(s): overthrow the Egyptian Government and, ultimately, establish a pan-Islamic caliphate under a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of Sharia
area(s) of operation: maintains a longtime operational presence and established networks
Army of Islam (AOI):
aim(s): disrupt the Egyptian Government's efforts to provide security and, ultimately, establish an Islamic caliphate
area(s) of operation: operational mainly in Cairo and the Sinai Peninsula
note(s): associated with ISIS Sinai Province (formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis); targets Israeli Government interests, sometimes in collaboration with the Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem
HAMAS:
aim(s): bolster its relationship with the Egyptian Government to secure humanitarian relief for the Gaza Strip
area(s) of operation: intermittently stations some senior officials in Cairo; periodic high-level delegation visits (April 2018)
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| Ethiopia |
al-Shabaab:
aim(s): punish Ethiopia for participating in the African Union Mission in Somalia; compel Ethiopia to withdraw troops from Somalia
area(s) of operation: aspires to conduct attacks in Addis Ababa; no permanent presence (April 2018)
|
| France |
Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA):
aim(s): establish an independent Basque homeland based on Marxist principles in what is now southwestern France and northern Spain
area(s) of operation: maintains a presence in the southwest (April 2018)
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| Gaza Strip |
Abdallah Azzam Brigades (AAB):
aim(s): bolster its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip against Israel to continue its attempts to disrupt Israel's economy and its efforts to establish security
area(s) of operation: launches homemade rockets from the Gaza Strip into populated Israeli territory, primarily the cities of Nahariya and Ashkelon
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AAMB):
aim(s): bolster its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip against Israel and, ultimately, establish a Palestinian state comprising the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem
area(s) of operation: stages attacks from the Gaza Strip against Israeli soldiers and civilians inside Israel, including launching rockets and missiles
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)-Sinai:
aim(s): bolster its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip against Israel and, ultimately, establish a regional Islamic caliphate
area(s) of operation: stages attacks against Egyptian forces along the Gaza Strip-Egypt border and launches rockets into southern Israel from the border closest to Israel
note(s): formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (April 2018)
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| India |
al-Qa'ida (AQ):
aim(s): overthrow the Indian Government and, ultimately, establish a pan-Islamic caliphate under a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of Sharia
area(s) of operation: maintains an operational presence as al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent
al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS):
aim(s): establish an Islamic caliphate in the Indian subcontinent
area(s) of operation: targets primarily military and security personnel, especially in the states of Assam, Gujarat, and Jammu and Kashmir; present in large cities, including Delhi
Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI):
aim(s): enhance its networks and operational capabilities in India
area(s) of operation: maintains an operational presence, especially in the south, including in Bangalore and Hubli
Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami/Bangladesh (HUJI-B):
aim(s): enhance its networks in India and, ultimately, install an Islamic state in Bangladesh
area(s) of operation: maintains a low-profile presence
Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM):
aim(s): enhance its networks and paramilitary training in India and, ultimately, annex Kashmir into Pakistan and establish an Islamic state in Kashmir
area(s) of operation: conducts attacks against Indian troops and civilians in Kashmir
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM):
aim(s): annex Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan
area(s) of operation: operates primarily in Jammu and Kashmir State
Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LT):
aim(s): annex Jammu and Kashmir State to Pakistan and, ultimately, install Islamic rule throughout South Asia
area(s) of operation: operational throughout India, especially in the north in Jammu and Kashmir State, since at least 1993
note(s): continues to be one of the largest and most deadly of the anti-India-focused armed groups
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE):
aim(s): enhance its networks in India and, ultimately, revive the movement to establish a Tamil homeland
area(s) of operation: maintains safe havens, transit routes, human trafficking, and an operational presence in an effort to revive the movement and conduct attacks (April 2018)
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| Iran |
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK):
aim(s): advance Kurdish autonomy, political, and cultural rights in Iran, Turkey, Iraq, and Syria
area(s) of operation: operational in the northwest; majority of members inside Iran are Iranian Kurds, along with Kurds from Iraq, Syria, and Turkey (April 2018)
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| Iraq |
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS):
aim(s): replace the Iraqi Government with an Islamic state operating according to ISIS's strict interpretation of Sharia; declared its intention to wipe out the Yazidi community, whose faith is one of the country's oldest
area(s) of operation: operational in the rural and desert areas of central and northern Iraq, primarily within and near Sunni populations, with some presence in major population areas (April 2018)
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| Ireland |
Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA):
aim(s): to bring about a united Ireland
area(s) of operation: maintains an operational presence
New Irish Republican Army (NIRA):
aim(s): to bring about a united Ireland
area(s) of operation: maintains an operational presence
note(s): formerly known as the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) (April 2018)
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| Israel |
Hizballah:
aim(s): destroy the state of Israel
area(s) of operation: has been operational across Israel in the past, especially in the north; has in the past launched numerous rockets and other airborne projectiles and devices into Israeli towns in many regions; has the capability to launch rockets and missiles (April 2018)
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| Kenya |
al-Shabaab:
aim(s): establish Islamic rule in Kenya’s northeastern border region and coast; avenge Kenya's past intervention in Somalia against al-Shabaab and its ongoing participation in the African Union mission; compel Kenya to withdraw troops from Somalia; attract Kenyan recruits to support operations in Somalia
area(s) of operation: maintains an operational and recruitment presence, mostly along the coast and the northeastern border (April 2018)
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| Lebanon |
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AAMB):
aim(s): bolster its recruitment presence in Lebanon and, ultimately, establish a Palestinian state comprising the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem
area(s) of operation: recruits youths in Palestinian refugee camps
al-Nusrah Front/al-Qa'ida:
aim(s): bolster networks in Lebanon and, ultimately, establish a regional Islamic caliphate
area(s) of operation: in the east in the Bekaa Valley and along the Lebanon-Syria border; targets Lebanese Government institutions, security forces, and Lebanese civilians
Palestine Liberation Front (PLF):
aim(s): enhance its networks in Lebanon and, ultimately, destroy the state of Israel to establish a secular, Marxist Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital
area(s) of operation: maintains a recruitment and training presence in many refugee camps
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP):
aim(s): enhance its recruitment network in Lebanon and, ultimately, establish a secular, Marxist Palestinian state
area(s) of operation: recruits youths residing in the country's Palestinian refugee camps
PFLP-General Command (PFLP-GC):
aim(s): enhance recruitment and operational networks in Lebanon
area(s) of operation: recruits young men living in Palestinian refugee camps, including camps in the Bekaa Valley (April 2018)
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| Malaysia |
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS):
aim(s): replace the Malaysian Government with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of Sharia
area(s) of operation: maintains a covert operational presence, mostly concentrated in the northeast province of Sabah
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI):
aim(s): enhance networks in Malaysia and, ultimately, overthrow the secular Malaysian Government and establish a pan-Islamic state across Southeast Asia
area(s) of operation: maintains a recruitment and operational presence, primarily in major cities (April 2018)
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| Montenegro |
Aum Shinrikyo (AUM):
aim(s): enhance its networks in Montenegro for recruitment and fundraising
area(s) of operation: maintains a limited presence; membership drastically depleted in March 2016 when authorities expelled 58 foreign members (April 2018)
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| Nepal |
Indian Mujahedeen (IM):
aim(s): enhance networks in Nepal to carry out attacks against Indians in Nepal and India
area(s) of operation: maintains active hubs of small, loosely connected networks (April 2018)
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| Niger |
al-Qa'ida-affiliated Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM):
aim(s): establish an Islamic state centered in Mali
area(s) of operation: primarily based in northern and central Mali; targets Western and local interests in West Africa and Sahel; has claimed responsibility for attacks in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso
note(s): pledged allegiance to al-Qa'ida and AQIM; holds Western hostages; wages attacks against security and peacekeeping forces in Mali
Boko Haram:
aim(s): establish an Islamic caliphate across Africa
area(s) of operation: conducts kidnappings, bombings, and assaults; responsible for displacing thousands of people and contributing to food insecurity
note(s): violently opposes any political or social activity associated with Western society, including voting, attending secular schools, and wearing Western dress (April 2018)
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| Pakistan |
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan (ISIS-K):
aim(s): establish an Islamic caliphate in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region; oppose Pakistan Government and Westerners; oppose Shia Muslim population
area(s) of operation: maintains an operational and recruitment presence throughout the country, primarily along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to stage attacks inside Afghanistan and Pakistan
note(s): recruits from among the local population and other militant groups such as Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban, and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP):
aim(s): remove Pakistani forces from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) region; overthrow the Pakistan Government to implement TTP's strict interpretation of Sharia
area(s) of operation: maintains a large presence in Karachi, the capital of Sindh Province; trains and deploys fighters in the tribal belt in the Pashtun areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, especially in Kunar and Paktika provinces where TTP has established sanctuaries; operationally active in the North Waziristan, South Waziristan, and Balochistan regions; targets Pakistan Government officials and military, security, and police personnel, as well as Westerners, pro-government tribal elders, Shia Muslims, and education figures and advocates (April 2018)
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| Philippines |
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI):
aim(s): enhance its networks in the Philippines and, ultimately, overthrow the Philippine Government and establish a pan-Islamic state across Southeast Asia
area(s) of operation: maintains an operational and recruitment presence, especially in the south (April 2018)
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| Qatar |
HAMAS:
aim(s): continue engagement with the Qatari Government
area(s) of operation: maintains a limited office in Doha
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| Russia |
Aum Shinrikyo (AUM):
aim(s): attract new members seeking religious guidance and exhibiting a willingness to financially support the organization
area(s) of operation: between 1,500 and 30,000 AUM members live across Russia; recruitment efforts have intensified in recent years
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS):
aim(s): implement its strict interpretation of Sharia in Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, and Kabardino-Balkariya; retaliate for Russian involvement in the Syria conflict
area(s) of operation: operational in the North Caucasus, where the branch is known as Wilayat Kavkaz or ISIS-Caucasus (ISIS-C); across Russia, ISIS recruits for domestic operations primarily from among Central Asian migrant worker populations (April 2018)
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| Saudi Arabia |
al-Qa'ida (AQ):
aim(s): oppose the Saudi Islamic monarchy due to its cooperation with the US and the West, particularly US military bases in the Kingdom; eradicate US and Western influence and presence from Saudi Arabia
area(s) of operation: maintains familial connections but lacks a persistent operational presence; probably retains some supporters in the country who could facilitate future operations
al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP):
aim(s): ultimately overthrow the Saudi Islamic monarchy; eradicate US and Western influence and presence from Yemen and the rest of the Arabian Peninsula
area(s) of operation: maintains familial connections but lacks an operational presence inside Saudi Arabia; operates widely in neighboring Yemen
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)-Saudi Arabia:
aim(s): replace the Saudi Islamic monarchy with an Islamic state applying ISIS's strict interpretation of Sharia; target minority Shia Muslims, Saudi security personnel, and their interests
area(s) of operation: maintains a recruitment presence; conducts deadly strikes against Saudi security personnel and bombs Shia Muslim mosques, markets, and other places where Shia Muslims gather (April 2018)
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| Singapore |
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) network in Singapore:
aim(s): enhance its networks in Singapore; implement ISIS's strict interpretation of Sharia
area(s) of operation: attacks in Bangladesh are staged in Singapore; operates under the name the Islamic State in Bangladesh
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI):
aim(s): enhance its networks in Singapore and, ultimately, overthrow the Singapore Government and establish a pan-Islamic state across Southeast Asia
area(s) of operation: maintains a presence (April 2018)
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| Syria |
Abdallah Azzam Brigades (AAB):
aim(s): disrupt and attack Shia Muslim and Western interests in Syria
area(s) of operation: remains operational; conducts attacks against primarily Shia Muslim organizations and individuals, including Hizballah members, and Westerners and their interests
al-Qa'ida (AQ):
aim(s): overthrow President Bashar al-ASAD's regime; establish a regional Islamic caliphate and conduct attacks outside of Syria
area(s) of operation: operational primarily in Idlib Governorate and southern Syria, where it has established networks and operates paramilitary training camps
Ansar al-Islam (AAI):
aim(s): remove Syrian President Bashar al-ASAD from power and establish a government operating according to Sharia
area(s) of operation: operationally active in Syria since 2011; launches attacks on Syrian Government security forces and pro-Syrian Government militias; some AAI factions combat ISIS, while others are aligned with ISIS
Hizballah:
aim(s): preserve Syrian President Bashar al-ASAD's regime
area(s) of operation: operational activity throughout the country since 2012; centered on providing paramilitary support to President Bashar al-ASAD's regime against armed insurgents
Kata'ib Hizballah (KH):
aim(s): preserve Syrian President Bashar al-ASAD's regime
area(s) of operation: deploys combatants to Syria to fight alongside Syrian Government and Lebanese Hizballah forces
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK):
aim(s): advance Kurdish autonomy, political, and cultural rights in Syria, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran
area(s) of operation: operational in the north and east; majority of members inside Syria are Syrian Kurds, along with Kurds from Iran, Iraq, and Turkey
Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem (MSC):
aim(s): destroy the state of Israel; enhance its networks in Syria
area(s) of operation: maintains limited networks for operational planning against Israel
Palestine Liberation Front (PLF):
aim(s): enhances its networks and, ultimately, destroy the state of Israel and establish a secular, Marxist Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital
area(s) of operation: maintains a recruitment and training presence in many refugee camps
PFLP-General Command (PFLP-GC):
aim(s): preserve Syrian President Bashar al-ASAD's regime
area(s) of operation: maintains a political base in Damascus; fights with President al-ASAD's forces and Hizballah in areas where anti-regime paramilitary groups are active
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP):
aim(s): enhance its recruitment networks in Syria
area(s) of operation: maintains a recruitment and limited training presence in several refugee camps (April 2018)
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| Tanzania |
al-Shabaab:
aim(s): attract Tanzanian recruits to support terrorist operations in Kenya and Somalia
area(s) of operation: maintains minimal clandestine footprint in key cities (April 2018)
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| Turkey |
al-Nusrah Front:
aim(s): overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-ASAD's regime, absorb like-minded Syrian rebel groups, and ultimately, establish a regional Islamic caliphate
area(s) of operation: some facilitation networks
al-Qa'ida (AQ):
aim(s): radicalize the Turkish populace and eventually overthrow the Turkish Government as part of a long-term plan to establish a pan-Islamic caliphate under a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of Sharia
area(s) of operation: maintains facilitation networks
HAMAS:
aim(s): facilitate HAMAS fundraising and leadership meetings
area(s) of operation: Istanbul
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK):
aim(s): advance Kurdish autonomy, political, and cultural rights in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria
area(s) of operation: operational predominantly in the southeast; the group’s primary targets include government, military, and security personnel and facilities; majority of members inside Turkey are Turkish Kurds, along with Kurds from Iran, Iraq, and Syria; the group is outlawed in Turkey (April 2018)
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| Uganda |
al-Shabaab:
aim(s): punish Ugandan Government for participating in African Union military operations against al-Shabaab; compel Uganda to withdraw forces from Somalia
area(s) of operation: aspires to renew attacks in Kampala; no permanent presence (April 2018)
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| Venezuela |
National Liberation Army (Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional, ELN):
aim(s): enhance its narcotics trafficking networks in Venezuela
area(s) of operation: maintains a narcotics trafficking presence, facilitating the transshipment of narcotics through the country (April 2018)
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| West Bank |
HAMAS:
aim(s): grow its political and operational presence in the West Bank
area(s) of operation: mostly political activity; small cells scattered throughout the West Bank for militant and illicit finance purposes
Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ):
aim(s): enhance its staging capabilities in the West Bank to launch attacks against Israel
area(s) of operation: mostly political activity; strives to maintain an operational presence
Palestine Liberation Front (PLF):
aim(s): enhance its networks in the West Bank and, ultimately, destroy the state of Israel; establish a secular, Marxist Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital
area(s) of operation: maintains a recruitment and training presence in some of the West Bank's refugee camps
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP):
aim(s): bolster its recruitment networks in the West Bank
area(s) of operation: mostly political activity, maintains a recruitment presence targeting youths (April 2018)
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