| INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST SYMBOLS DATABASE |
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| Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (2)
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Other Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades Symbols:
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Description: A picture of the Al Aqsa Mosque is at center. Beginning below the mosque two elongated Palestinian flags wrap around the entire image. Above the dome of the mosque two black rifles cross; a green grenade is nestled between the tips of the rifles. A Koranic inscription above the rifles says: "Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers." At bottom, below the flags, the Arabic says "Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades."
Explanation: The Al Aqsa Mosque - the group's namesake - symbolizes the organization's Palestinian nationalism. The Koranic verse stresses an Islamic influence as well as the group's commitment to armed struggle - as do the black rifles and green grenade. The elongated flags also reflect Palestinian nationalism.
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| Name Variations | Overview | Focus of Operations | Major Attacks | Leaders | Ideology | Goals | Methods | Sponsors | U.S.- Related Activities | |
Name Variations
Palestinian National Liberation Movement Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades
Overview
The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades was formed as the military arm of Yasser Arafat's political party, Fatah, shortly after the outbreak of the second intifada in September 2000. Financed in part by the Palestinian Authority, it has conducted some of the conflict's deadliest and most destructive attacks on Israeli civilians, and was designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2002. Like Fatah, it is a secular organization whose ideology - although colored by Islam - is centered on Palestinian nationalism. Several of its leaders were killed or arrested during the second intifada, but the organization remains a major force. Its operation has become more decentralized, with actions conducted by local cells throughout the territories.
Focus of Operations
West Bank, Gaza, Israel
Major Attacks
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January 5, 2003: Claimed responsibility for twin suicide bombings in downtown Tel Aviv.23 killed, 100 injured.
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March 9, 2002: Claimed responsibility for suicide bombing in a Jerusalem café. 11 killed, over 50 wounded.
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January, 27 2002: Dispatched first female suicide bomber, who detonated twenty pounds of explosives in central Jerusalem, killing 1 and injuring over 100.
Leaders
- Marwan Barghouti (serving five consecutive life terms in Israel for terrorist activity)
Ideology
Secular Palestinian nationalism
Goals
Establishment of a Palestinian state through armed uprising.
Methods
Suicide bombings, paramilitary operations against civilian and military targets.
Sponsors
Iran, Hezbollah, the Palestinian Authority - although since 2002 the PA has distanced itself from the brigades.
U.S.-Related Activities
Designated by the U.S. as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
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