| INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST SYMBOLS DATABASE |
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Al Qaeda Organization for Holy War in Iraq
(Jama'at al-Tawhid Wa al-Jihad)
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Description: A gray globe is set against a black background. An open Koran, facing up, is superimposed on the globe; a rifle, fist (with index finger extended) and black flag rise from the book. Yellow lettering at bottom says "Monotheism and Jihad."
Explanation: A black background (in flags and symbols) often represents the goal of restoring the Islamic caliphate - a united Muslim empire. It also evokes death and militancy. The globe evokes the organization's worldwide ambitions, while the Koran signifies a foundation in Islam. The rifle, fist and flag, symbols of militancy, rise from that base. The lettering spells the group's name ("Monotheism and Jihad" in English).
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| Name Variations | Overview | Focus of Operations | Major Attacks | Leaders | Ideology | Goals | Methods | Sponsors | U.S.- Related Activities | |
Name Variations
Al Qaeda Organization for Holy War in Iraq (formerly Jama'at al-Tawhid Wa al-Jihad)
Overview
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his followers are known for their extreme brutality and spectacular attacks. Zarqawi previously ran terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and was a senior member of the Kurdish terrorist group Ansar al-Islam. Immediately after the fall of Saddam Hussein, he formed al-Tawhid Wa al-Jihad with the immediate goal of ending the American occupation of Iraq by killing American forces and their Iraqi supporters.
The group has been responsible for some of the most deadly terrorist attacks in Iraq, often targeting Iraqi police recruits and government officials. It has targeted Shiites in an attempt to destabilize relations between Iraq's Sunni and Shiite populations, and it has also beheaded foreigners, including American Nick Berg. In October 2004, Zarqawi publicly allied himself with Osama Bin Laden and renamed his organization the Al Qaeda Organization for Holy War in Iraq. It is considered the most dangerous terrorist organization in the country, and Zarqawi's stature among Islamic terrorists is now rivaled only by Bin Laden.
Focus of Operations
Iraq
Major Attacks
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February 28, 2005: Suicide car bombing in Hilla.
At least 122 killed and 147 wounded.
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October 24, 2004: Ambush of Iraqi police recruits at false checkpoint.
49 killed.
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April/May 2004: Beheaded Nick Berg.
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May 17, 2004: Suicide car bomb killed Governing Council President Izzedin Salim.
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Aug 19, 2003: Truck bombing at U.N. headquarters in Baghdad.
22 killed, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Leaders
Ideology
Militant Islamic Fundamentalism
Goals
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Ending the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
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Restoring the Islamic caliphate.
Methods
Suicide bombing, car bombing, roadside bombing, paramilitary operations against civilian and military targets.
Sponsors
Osama Bin Laden, who designated Zarqawi Al Qaeda's "emir," or leader, in Iraq.
U.S.-Related Activities
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Targets U.S. soldiers and civilians in Iraq.
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Zarqawi provided funding for the assassination of U.S. diplomat Laurence Foley in Amman, Jordan in 2002.
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Designated by the U.S. as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
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