Martina Ugarte 2014

Main Islamic Extremist Groups

AL-QAEDA:
Al-Qaeda is the most famous terrorist group in the world. This extremist Islamic group was
established in 1989 by Osama Bin Laden and Abdullah Azzam. Osama Bin Laden is the greatest
threat of all terrorist leaders and the figure behind the September 11 attacks. Al-Qaeda has an
integrated network and powerful strategies and has thousands of followers with proper military
training. Al-Qaeda is a very important component in worldwide terrorism and the root of many
other Islamic extremist groups.

TALIBAN:
This terrorist group was founded by Pashtun tribes with support from some Islamic countries
such as Arabs, Chechens, Uzbeks, Punjabis and Tajiks. The meaning derives from the word
students. Taliban is well known for governing Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 and constantly
battling against the NATO and the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Martina Ugarte 2014

ISIS (ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND SYRIA):

ISIS is the acronym of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, as is a Sunni extremist jihadist group
based in Iraq and Syria. The group originated in 1999 as the remnants of Al-Qaeda. The group
grew significantly under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Bghdadi and after entering the Syrian
Civil War. The groups original aim was to establish an Islamic State in Sunni-majority regions
of Iraq and Syria. On 29 June 2014, the group proclaimed a worldwide caliphate and his leader
took the name of Caliph Ibrahim and the state was renamed the Islamic State. ISIS is widely
known for its violent propaganda which includes internet videos of beheadings.

HEZBOLLAH (HIZBALLAH):
Hezbollah is a Lebanon based terrorist group backed up by Iran and Syria. It emerged from the
Lebanese civil war of 1982. According to the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), this
organization covers 41% of Lebanese population and is involved in multiple social activities.
The U.S and its European allies consider Hezbollah a global terrorist threat and a menace to
Mideast stability.

Martina Ugarte 2014

HAMAS (Harakat Al-Muqawama Al-Islamia):

This is a terrorist group of Palestine which was founded in 1987 due to an offshoot of the
Muslim Brotherhood. This organization was established with the aim of Jihad and to release
Palestine from Israeli subjugation. Known for its daredevil suicide bombers, this terrorist group
is significantly supported by Hezbollah to assassinate Israeli civilians and defense officers.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/al-qaeda-terrorism.html
http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/hezbollah-k-hizbollah-hizbullah/p9155
http://www.cfr.org/afghanistan/taliban-afghanistan/p10551