someone please clear up between Fatah and al aqsa ???

[kermalou]

i hear htis movement and that movement, but can't get a clear answer. if this al aqsa is part of fatah and fatah is "controlled" by Arafat, doesn't that mean that he is approving these suicide bombings, i might be wrong, someone please correct me.

 

[Scipionix]

Originally posted by: kermalou
i hear htis movement and that movement, but can't get a clear answer. if this al aqsa is part of fatah and fatah is "controlled" by Arafat, doesn't that mean that he is approving these suicide bombings, i might be wrong, someone please correct me.

Nope, you are exactly right.

 

[Dually]

Fatah is Arafat's Political Movement Organization. Al Aqsa has been tied to the Fatah Organization and gets funding from it.

 

[Random Variable]

Arafat created al-Aqsa in the fall of 2000 following Camp David II. But once again, we're supposed to pretend that he didn't.

EDIT: The connection between Arafat and al-Aqsa is so direct that it is silly when people try to create distance between the two.

 

[glenn1]

Linkage

More linkage

Fatah - Revolutionary Council (Abu Nidal Organization)

Description:
A Palestinian organization better known as the Abu Nidal Organization (ANO) headed by Sabri al-Bana (Abu Nidal) and founded in 1974 as a consequence of Abu Nidal`s split from the Fatah organization. The breakup and the foundation of the new organization was the result of the Iraqi regime's influence, which prompted Abu Nidal to launch independent terrorist operations to serve Iraqi interests. The organization considers itself since its foundation as the real Fatah, accusing the leaders of the original organization of treason. Fatah-RC was considered the most dangerous, active and murderous Palestinian terror organization in the 1980s. It has demonstrated an ability to operate over wide areas in the Middle East, Asia, South America and Europe. It has carried out operations and terrorist acts against targets of various Arab countries, more than any other Palestinian organization, and also against Palestinian militants considered to be too moderate. From the beginning of the 1980s FatahRC attacked also Jewish, Israeli and Western targets. It practically ceased all terrorist attacks in the 1990s, although it is still considered to be potentially dangerous due to its new relations with Iran.

It seems that since 1990 the organization has ceased to be active in the terrorist field, although it strengthened its relations with revolutionary Iran and participated in most of the congresses sponsored by Tehran. Abu Nidal's poor health may have played also its part in the weakening of Fatah-RC.

The organization has several offices in Syria, Yemen, Iran, Sudan and Lebanon. It is considered one of the most economically viable of all terrorist organizations. It is estimated that beside its income from patron states, it has revenues from extortion and from its own network of businesses and front organizations.




NAME: Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade

DATE STARTED/FIRST ACTIVE: 2000

GOALS: Drive the Israeli military and people from the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem and establish a Palestinian state.

MAIN ANTI-U.S. ACTIVITIES TO DATE: At least five U.S. citizens have been killed in attacks, but probably not because of their citizenship. The group mainly targets Israeli military personnel and civilians.

STRENGTH: Unknown.

OPERATIONAL LOCATIONS: Mainly in the West Bank, but has also claimed responsibility for attacks inside Israel and the Gaza Strip.

AFFILIATIONS: Unknown.

COMMENTS: Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade is composed of cells of Fatah-affiliated activists that emerged with the onset of the intifadah in 2000. In January 2002, an al-Aqsa member became the first female suicide bomber in the intifadah. The group was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on March 27, 2002.

NAME: Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)

DATE STARTED/FIRST ACTIVE: 1969.

GOALS: Achieve Palestinian national goals through revolution of the masses.

MAIN ANTI-U.S. ACTIVITIES TO DATE: None.

STRENGTH: 500.

OPERATIONAL LOCATIONS: Syria, Lebanon, and the Israeli-occupied territories.

AFFILIATIONS: One of the two factions joined with other rejectionist groups to form the Alliances of Palestinian Forces (APF), but broke it off. Has made limited moves toward merging with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) since the mid-1990s. Receives limited financial and military aid from Syria.

COMMENTS: Marxist-Leninist organization founded when it split from the PFLP. Opposed the Israel-PLO peace agreement.



NAME: HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement)

DATE STARTED/FIRST ACTIVE: 1987.

GOALS: Establishing an Islamic Palestinian state in place of Israel.

MAIN ANTI-U.S. ACTIVITIES TO DATE: Unknown.

STRENGTH: Unknown number of hard-core members; tens of thousands of supporters and sympathizers.

OPERATIONAL LOCATIONS: Primarily the occupied territories, Israel. In August 1999, Jordanian authorities closed the group's Political Bureau offices in Amman, arrested its leaders, and prohibited the group from operating on Jordanian territory.

AFFILIATIONS: Receives funding from Palestinian expatriates, Iran, and private benefactors in Saudi Arabia and other moderate Arab states. Some fundraising and propaganda activities take place in Western Europe and North America.

COMMENTS: Formed as an outgrowth of the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. Various HAMAS elements have used both political and violent means, including terrorism. Loosely structured, with some elements working clandestinely and others working openly through mosques and social service institutions to recruit members, raise money, organize activities, and distribute propaganda. Also has engaged in peaceful political activity, such as running candidates in West Bank Chamber of Commerce elections. A Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) listed as "active" during 2000.



NAME: The Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ)

DATE STARTED/FIRST ACTIVE: 1970s.

GOALS: The creation of an Islamic Palestinian state and the destruction of Israel through holy war.

MAIN ANTI-U.S. ACTIVITIES TO DATE: Because of its strong support for Israel, the United States has been identified as an enemy of the PIJ, but the group has not specifically conducted attacks against U.S. interests in the past. In July 2000, however, publicly threatened to attack U.S. interests if the U.S. Embassy is moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

STRENGTH: Unknown.

OPERATIONAL LOCATIONS: Primarily Israel and the occupied territories and other parts of the Middle East, including Jordan and Lebanon. Headquartered in Syria.

AFFILIATIONS: Receives financial assistance from Iran and limited logistic assistance from Syria.

COMMENTS: Originated among militant Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the 1970s. Also opposes moderate Arab governments that it believes have been tainted by Western secularism. A Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) listed as "active" during 2000.

Hizballah
Alias: Party of God.Islamic Jihad, Revolutionary Justice Organization, Organization of the Oppressed on Earth, and Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine

Description:
Radical Shiat group formed in Lebanon; dedicated to creation of Iranian-style Islamic republic in Lebanon and removal of all non-Islamic influences from area. Strongly anti-West and anti-Israel. Closely allied with, and often directed by, Iran, but may have conducted rogue operations that were not approved by Tehran. Activities: Known or suspected to have been involved in numerous anti-US terrorist attacks, including the suicide truck bombing of the US Embassy and US Marine barracks in Beirut in October 1983 and the US Embassy annex in Beirut in September 1984. Elements of the group were responsible for the kidnapping and detention of US and other Western hostages in Lebanon. The group also attacked the Israeli Embassy in Argentina in 1992.

Location/Area of Operation:
Operates in the Bekaa Valley, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and southern Lebanon. Has established cells in Europe, Africa, South America, North America, and elsewhere.

External Aid:
Receives substantial amounts of financial, training, weapons, explosives, political, diplomatic, and organizational aid from Iran.

Ideology:
The conflict with Israel is viewed as a central concern. This is not only limited to the IDF presence in Lebanon. Rather, the complete destruction of the State of Israel and the establishment of Islamic rule over Jerusalem is an expressed goal. Part of this radical ideology is the group's militant approach using terror as a means of attaining its goals. Hizballah decries the existence of Israel ('the little Satan'), viewed as foreign to the region and which constitutes a threat to Islam and Muslims. The destruction of Israel and the liberation of Jerusalem is deemed a religious obligation. The Hizballah organization justifies the use of terror against these enemies as a weapon in the hands of the weak and oppressed against the strong aggressor. In an effort to act upon and realize the predetermined ideological lines the group's leaders actively plan and perpetrate terror attacks against IDF and SLA forces, preach religious extremism against Israel and disseminate Iranian ideology. The Hizballah extends the conflict into Israeli territory and does not restrict its struggle to areas in Lebanon.

With the signing of the 'Ta'if Agreement' (1989) and the beginning of the 'Syrian arrangement in Lebanon, the Hizballah has been forced to conform to Syrian dictates. The Syrian interest in the continuation of terrorist attacks in South Lebanon has enabled the Hizballah to maintain its unique status in the Lebanese arena as the only major military force yet to be disarmed. The Syrians have prevented the Lebanese government from harming the military capabilities of the Hizballah, under the pretext of opposing the Israeli occupation, while at the same time enforcing their dictates upon the organization during periods when they are interested in calming the situation in southern Lebanon (as was the case following 'Operation Accountability' in July 1993 or the period coinciding with the Assad-Clinton meeting in January 1994).