# Library

# Main Content

Field Listing :: Terrorist groups - home based
This entry provides information on the US State Department's designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations headquartered in a specific country, which may or may not be a group's country of origin. Details on each organization's aim(s) and area(s) of operation are provided.

By Country Listing of the values for the Terrorist groups - home based field
Country | Terrorist groups - home based
--- | ---
Afghanistan | al-Qa'ida (AQ): aim(s): eject Western influence from the Islamic world, unite the worldwide Muslim community, overthrow governments perceived as un-Islamic, and ultimately, establish a pan-Islamic caliphate under a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: maintains established networks and a longtime operational presence in Afghanistan, especially in the south, northwest, and northeast near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border (April 2018) Islamic Jihad Union (IJU): aim(s): drive NATO forces out of Afghanistan and destabilize the country; overthrow the Government of Uzbekistan area(s) of operation: conducts attacks in collaboration with other extremist groups, including the Taliban, against NATO and Afghan forces across the country, especially in the northern and eastern Paktika, Paktia, and Nangarhar provinces (April 2018) Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU): aim(s): enhance its networks and secure territory in Afghanistan to establish a secure presence from which it can pursue its historic goal of establishing an Islamic state in the Fergana Valley, a fertile valley spread across eastern Uzbekistan, southern Kyrgyzstan, and northern Tajikistan area(s) of operation: operates mostly in the north along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, with its heaviest presence in Badakhshan Province, where IMU has operated paramilitary training camps and bases note: the IMU is fractured and mostly supports ISIS-K although some members have continued working with the Taliban (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan (ISIS-K): aim(s): establish an Islamic caliphate in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Central Asia; counter Westerners and Shia Muslims area(s) of operation: stronghold in Nangarhar Province near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and operating in Kunar, Laghman, Jowzjan provinces with pockets of support throughout Afghanistan note: recruits from among the local population, Central Asian extremists in Afghanistan, and other militant groups, such as Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban, and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (April 2018) Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP): aim(s): drive foreign troops from Afghanistan; remove Pakistani forces from Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and, ultimately, overthrow the Pakistan Government to implement TTP's strict interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: headquartered in several eastern Afghanistan provinces near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border; operates primarily along the northeastern Afghanistan-Pakistan border, especially in Kunar and Paktika provinces, where TTP has established sanctuaries (April 2018)
Algeria | al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM): aim: overthrow various African regimes and replace them with one ruled by sharia; establish a regional Islamic caliphate across all of North and West Africa area(s) of operation: leadership headquartered in Algeria; operates in Tunisia, Libya, and northern Mali note: al-Qa'ida's affiliate in North Africa; Tunisia-based branch known as the Uqbah bin Nafi Battalion; Mali-based cadre merged with allies to form JNIM in March 2017, which pledged allegiance to AQIM and al-Qa'ida (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)-Algeria: aim(s): replace the Algerian Government with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: maintains an operational and recruitment presence mostly in the northeast note: formerly known as Jund al-Khilafa - Algeria (JAK-A) (April 2018)
Bangladesh | Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami/Bangladesh (HUJI-B): aim(s): install an Islamic state in Bangladesh area(s) of operation: headquartered in Bangladesh and mostly active in the southeast; maintains a network of madrassas in Bangladesh (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) networks in Bangladesh: aim(s): replace the Bangladesh Government with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of Sharia; ISIS operates in Bangladesh under the name Islamic State in Bangladesh (ISB) area(s) of operation: operates primarily in Dhaka note: targets foreigners, foreign aid workers, university professors, students, and secular bloggers for assassination; core ISIS refers to its Bangladesh branch as Bengal (April 2018)
Burkina Faso | Ansarul Islam: aim(s): to end government control in parts of the north of the country and enforce sharia in the area of the ancient Fulani Empire of Djeelgodji area(s) of operation: targets Burkinabe security forces and civilians primarily in the country's northern Sahel Region (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-sham networks in the Greater Sahara (ISGS): aim(s): replace regional governments with an Islamic state area(s) of operation: mostly concentrated in the Mali-Burkina Faso-Niger tri-border region; targets primarily security forces (December 2018)
Colombia | National Liberation Army (Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional, ELN): aim(s): represent the rural poor against the nation's wealthy and block the privatization of national resources area(s) of operation: the nation's largest remaining insurgent group operates mainly in the rural and mountainous areas in the northeast, especially Arauca Department, and is active in the northern and southwestern regions and along the borders with Venezuela and Ecuador note: the group has a long history of engaging in narcotics production and trafficking, extortion, and kidnappings for ransom to fund operations (April 2018) Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC): aim(s): signed a peace accord with the Colombian Government in 2016 and entered the political arena in September 2017 as the People's Alternative Revolutionary Force (also known as FARC) in order to change Colombia's economic model, push an agenda focused on social justice and development of rural areas; historically, FARC's aim has been to install a Marxist-Leninist regime in Colombia through a violent revolution area(s) of operation: NA note: on 30 November 2016, the Colombian Congress approved a peace accord between the FARC and Colombian Government; the government allowed FARC to form an official political party and integrate former fighters into society through measures such as funding education programs (April 2018)
Egypt | Harakat Sawa’d Misr (HASM): aim(s): overthrow the Egyptian Government area(s) of operation: Cairo, Nile Delta, Western Desert (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)-Sinai: aim(s): spread the ISIS caliphate by eliminating the Egyptian Government, destroying Israel, and establishing an Islamic emirate in the Sinai area(s) of operation: operational throughout Egypt, primarily in North Sinai note: formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis; core ISIS refers to Egypt as its Wilayat Sinai (April 2018) Liwa al-Thawra: aim(s): overthrow the Egyptian Government area(s) of operation: Nile Delta (April 2018)
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)
Gaza Strip | Army of Islam (AOI): aim(s): stage attacks against Israel and Egypt from the Gaza Strip and, ultimately, establish an Islamic emirate in the region area(s) of operation: headquartered in Gaza; heaviest presence and operational activity is in the Gaza Strip note: operatives have a history of launching low-impact rockets into Israeli and Egyptian territory; the Army of Islam (Jaish al-Islam, JAI) in Syria is unrelated to AOI (April 2018) HAMAS: aim(s): maintain control of the Gaza Strip to facilitate Palestinian nationalist aims area(s) of operation: headquartered in Gaza (April 2018) Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem (MSC): aim(s): bolster its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip against Israel and, ultimately, destroy the state of Israel area(s) of operation: headquartered in Gaza, although present in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Israel (April 2018) Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ): aim(s): enhance its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip to launch attacks against Israel area(s) of operation: stages rocket attacks against civilians and military personnel primarily in southern Israel (April 2018) Palestine Liberation Front (PLF): aim(s): bolster its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip against Israel and, ultimately, destroy the state of Israel in order to establish a secular, Marxist Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital area(s) of operation: based in Gaza; maintains a recruitment and paramilitary training presence in most of the refugee camps across the Gaza Strip (April 2018) PFLP-General Command (PFLP-GC): aim(s): bolster its staging capabilities to prepare fighters for deployment to Syria and to launch occasional attacks inside Israel; ultimately, seeks to establish a Palestinian state area(s) of operation: headquartered in Gaza; as a longtime supporter of the Syrian Government, the group trains and deploys fighters to Syria to fight on behalf of President Bashar al-ASAD; stages occasional small-scale attacks inside Israel (April 2018) Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP): aim(s): destroy the state of Israel and, ultimately, establish a secular, Marxist Palestinian state area(s) of operation: headquartered in Gaza, recruiting and training fighters; stages limited attacks against Israel (April 2018)
Greece | Revolutionary Struggle (RS): aim(s): disrupt the influence of globalization and international capitalism on Greek society and, ultimately, overthrow the Greek Government area(s) of operation: operates exclusively inside Greece, primarily in Athens note: largely inactive in recent years, with the exception of shootouts with police officers trying to arrest members (April 2018)
India | Hizbul Mujahideen (HM): aim(s): annex the state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan area(s) of operation: HM is an indigenous Kashmiri militant group that operates in Jammu and Kashmir (April 2018) Indian Mujahedeen (IM): aim(s): establish Islamic rule in India and, ultimately, convert all non-Muslims to Islam; stated goal is to carry out terrorist attacks against Indians for perceived atrocities against Indian Muslims area(s) of operation: formerly based in the western state of Maharashtra, India's third-largest and second-most populous state, and now probably operates mostly outside India (April 2018)
Indonesia | ISIS-associated Jemaah Anshorut Daulah (JAD): aim(s): establish an Islamic caliphate in Indonesia area(s) of operation: an ISIS-aligned coalition of cells located throughout the country (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) network in Indonesia: aim(s): replace the Indonesian Government with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: maintains a covert operational presence (April 2018) Jemaah Islamiyah (JI): aim(s): overthrow the Indonesian Government and, ultimately, establish a pan-Islamic state across Southeast Asia area(s) of operation: Indonesia (April 2018)
Iran | Jaysh al Adl: note(s): formerly known as Jundallah (April 2018)
Iraq | Ansar al-Islam (AAI): aim(s): expel western interests from Iraq and, ultimately, establish an independent Iraqi state operating according to its interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: headquartered in northern Iraq with its largest presence in Kirkuk, Tikrit, and Mosul; active in the western and central regions of the country note: majority of members are Iraqi Kurds or Iraqi Arabs who are Sunni Muslim (April 2018) Jaysh Rijal al-Tariq al-Naqshabandi (JRTN): aim(s): end external influence in Iraq and, ultimately, overthrow the Government of Iraq to install a secular Ba'athist state within the internationally recognized borders of Iraq area(s) of operation: attacks separatist Kurdish groups, Iraqi Government military and security forces and facilities, and foreign military personnel (April 2018) Kata'ib Hizballah (KH): aim(s): counter US influence and, ultimately, overthrow the Iraqi Government to install a government based on Shia Muslim laws and precepts area(s) of operation: headquartered in the Shia Muslim areas of Baghdad, with fighters active in Ninawa, Al Anbar, and Babil governorates (April 2018) Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK): aim(s): advance Kurdish autonomy and security goals in Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Syria area(s) of operation: operational in the north and east, with its stronghold in the Qandil Mountains; majority of members inside Iraq are Iraqi, Turkish, and Iranian Kurds, along with Kurds from Syria (April 2018)
Israel | Kahane Chai (Kach): aim(s): expel Arabs from Israel's biblical lands and, ultimately, restore the biblical state of Israel area(s) of operation: Israel and West Bank settlements note: considered to be operationally inactive in recent years (April 2018)
Japan | Aum Shinrikyo (AUM): aim(s): attract new members seeking religious guidance and exhibiting a willingness to financially support the organization; historically, leaders sought to overthrow the Japanese Government and to spark a nuclear war between Japan and the US to create a global Armageddon, 'cleansing' the world so its members could achieve salvation area(s) of operation: headquartered in the north in Hokkaido, where AUM opened the largest of its 33 buildings in July 2016 note: the majority of members reside in Russia (April 2018)
Lebanon | Abdallah Azzam Brigades (AAB): aim(s): enhance its networks in Lebanon to combat Shia Muslim influence in the country; seeks to disrupt Israel's economy and its efforts to establish security; attack Western interests in the Middle East area(s) of operation: headquartered in the Ayn al-Hilwah Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon in the south (April 2018) Asbat al-Ansar (AAA): aim(s): overthrow the Lebanese Government, rid Lebanon of Western influences, destroy the state of Israel to seize Jerusalem and, ultimately, establish an Islamic state in the Levant region area(s) of operation: headquartered in the Ayn al-Hilwah Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon in the south note: essentially defunct, assessed to have a few dozen members as of 2017 (April 2018) Hizballah: aim(s): accrue military resources and political power and defend its position of strength in Lebanon; destroy the state of Israel; counter the West; provide paramilitary support to Syrian President Bashar al-ASAD's regime area(s) of operation: headquartered in Beirut with a significant presence in the Bekaa Valley and Southern Lebanon note: remains the most capable armed group in the country, enjoying support among many Lebanese Shia and some Christians; receives considerable support from Iran (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) network in Lebanon: aim(s): replace the Lebanese Government with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: operational primarily in the east along the border with Syria; also maintains a presence in Ayn al-Hilweh refugee camp (April 2018)
Libya | al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM): aim(s): overthrow various African regimes and replace them with one ruled by sharia; establish a regional Islamic caliphate across all of North and West Africa area(s) of operation: leadership headquartered in Algeria; operates in Tunisia and Libya note: al-Qa'ida's affiliate in North Africa; Tunisia-based branch known as the Uqbah bin Nafi Battalion; Mali-based cadre merged with allies to form JNIM in March 2017, which pledged allegiance to AQIM and al-Qa'ida (April 2018) Ansar al-Sharia groups: aim(s): implement sharia in Libya area(s) of operation: in the east, mostly in Benghazi and Darnah note: officially disbanded in June 2017, but fighters and local elements remain; operated as a member of the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council and Darnah Mujahidin Shura Council, a coalition of jihadist groups combating the Libyan House of Representatives-aligned forces (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)-Libya: aim(s): prevent the formation of a reunified Libyan state, secure control over the country's critical resources and, ultimately, establish an Islamic caliphate in Libya area(s) of operation: based in Libya since circa 2015, with its original headquarters in Sirte; no longer controls territory in Libya but does maintain a low-profile presence throughout much of the country (April 2018)
Mali | al-Mulathamun Battalion: aim(s): implement ISIS's strict interpretation of Sharia; replace the Malian Government with an Islamic state area(s) of operation: headquartered in the north; targets primarily international interests, especially Westerners and Western entities (November 2018) 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: pledged allegiance to al-Qa'ida and AQIM; holds Western hostages; wages attacks against security and peacekeeping forces in Mali (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-sham networks in the Greater Sahara (ISGS): aim(s): replace regional governments with an Islamic state area(s) of operation: mostly concentrated along the Mali-Niger border region; targets primarily security forces (April 2018)
Niger | Islamic State of Iraq and ash-sham networks in the Greater Sahara (ISGS): aim(s): replace regional governments with an Islamic state area(s) of operation: mostly concentrated along the Mali-Niger border region; targets primarily security forces (April 2018) 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 the southeast along the border with Nigeria, with its largest presence in northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad region; targets primarily regional military installations, especially in the southeastern Diffa region (April 2018)
Nigeria | Boko Haram: aim(s): replace the Nigerian Government with an Islamic state under strict sharia and, ultimately, establish an Islamic caliphate across Africa; avenge military offenses against the group and destroy any political or social activity associated with Western society; conducts attacks against primarily civilian and regional military targets area(s) of operation: headquartered in the northeast note: since 2009, fighters have killed tens of thousands of Nigerians during hundreds of attacks and disrupted trade and farming in the northeast, causing a risk of famine and displacing millions of people; violently opposes any political or social activity associated with Western society, including voting, attending secular schools, and wearing Western dress (April 2018) 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 the north along the border with Niger, with its largest presence in the northeast and the Lake Chad region; targets primarily regional military installations and civilians (April 2018)
Pakistan | al-Qa'ida (AQ): aim(s): eject Western influence from the Islamic world, unite the worldwide Muslim community, overthrow governments perceived as un-Islamic and, ultimately, establish a pan-Islamic caliphate under a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: presence in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border (April 2018) al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS): aim(s): establish an Islamic caliphate in the Indian subcontinent area(s) of operation: operational throughout the country, targeting military and security personnel; responsible for numerous attacks in Karachi; stages attacks in Afghanistan, India, and Bangladesh, where the group is the most active (April 2018) Haqqani Network (HQN): aim(s): enhance its operational networks and capabilities for staging cross-border attacks in Afghanistan; replace the Afghan Government with an Islamic state operating according to a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: headquartered in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) region located across from Afghanistan's southeastern border; fighters have staged numerous cross-border operations from Kurram and North Waziristan Agency in the FATA into Afghanistan, targeting Afghan, US, and NATO forces and other Afghan Government personnel and Westerners for attack or kidnappings for ransom (April 2018) Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI): aim(s): overthrow the Pakistan Government and implement sharia throughout the country area(s) of operation: headquartered in Pakistan, where the group operates several camps; remains heavily active in the southern area of Azad Kashmir (April 2018) Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM): aim(s): annex Kashmir to Pakistan and establish an Islamic state in Kashmir area(s) of operation: headquartered in Islamabad, with an operational presence in Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir, where operatives stage attacks against India; maintains training and paramilitary camps in the country's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) region (April 2018) Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM): aim(s): unite Kashmir with Pakistan, install sharia in Pakistan, and drive foreign forces from Afghanistan area(s) of operation: headquartered in Punjab Province; stages attacks against Indian forces, primarily in Jammu and Kashmir State (April 2018) Jaysh al Adl: aim(s): seeks greater autonomy for Balochis in Pakistan and Iran area(s) of operation: headquartered in Balochistan Province, where operatives stage attacks inside Iran against Shia Muslims, primarily targets Iranian soldiers and security personnel note: formerly known as Jundallah (April 2018) Lashkar i Jhangvi (LJ): aim(s): exterminate Shia Muslims, rid the region of Western influence and, ultimately, establish an Islamic state in Pakistan under sharia area(s) of operation: has a growing presence in Karachi, the capital of Sindh Province; loosely coordinated cells are spread across the country, primarily in Punjab and Balochistan provinces, Karachi, and in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) region; majority of attacks are against local and foreign Shia Muslims and government personnel and facilities (April 2018) Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LT): aim(s): return the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan and foment Islamic insurgency in India; enhance its recruitment networks and paramilitary training in South Asia; and, ultimately, implement Islamic rule throughout South Asia area(s) of operation: headquartered in Lahore, Punjab Province, with an operational presence throughout the country; active in both the Pakistan-administered and India-administered Kashmir regions note: does not conduct attacks within Pakistan; often operates under the guise of its charitable affiliates, including Jamaat-ud-Dawa (April 2018)
Peru | Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso, SL): aim(s): generate revenue by providing security for narcotics trafficking and growing coca to produce cocaine; historically, SL's goal has been to replace Peruvian institutions with a peasant revolutionary regime area(s) of operation: headquartered in the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro River (VRAEM) region (April 2018)
Philippines | Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG): aim(s): establish an Islamic State in the Philippines' Mindanao Island and the Sulu Archipelago, and ultimately, an Islamic caliphate across Southeast Asia area(s) of operation: southern Philippines in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago region (April 2018) Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA): aim(s): destabilize the Philippines' economy to inspire the populace to revolt against the government and, ultimately, overthrow the Philippine Government area(s) of operation: operates throughout most of the country, primarily in rural regions, with its strongest presence in the Sierra Madre Mountains, rural Luzon, Visayas, and parts of northern and eastern Mindanao; maintains cells in Manila, Davao City, and other metropolitan areas (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) network in Philippines: aim(s): replace the Philippine Government with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago region (April 2018)
Russia | The Caucasus Emirate (Imarat Kavkaz, IK): aim(s): establish an Islamic caliphate and end Moscow's rule in the majority-Muslim North Caucasus region area(s) of operation: the North Caucasus, primarily Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetiya, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachay-Cherkessia note: most IK members switched allegiance to ISIS in 2015 (April 2018)
Somalia | al-Shabaab: aim(s): discredit and destabilize the Federal Government of Somalia and target any countries or entities that support Somalia's fight against al-Shabaab; establish Islamic rule across Somalia area(s) of operation: a core al-Qa'ida affiliate that maintains strongholds in rural areas in the south, where it controls a large swathe of the Lower and Middle Juba and Lower Shabelle regions; responsible for numerous high-profile bombings and shootings throughout Somalia and in the northeast in Puntland State (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) networks in Somalia: aim(s): replace the Federal Government of Somalia with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of Sharia; replace al-Shabaab as the dominant armed opposition to federal authority in Somalia area(s) of operation: directs operations, recruitment, and training from Puntland, the semiautonomous region in the northeast; conducts sporadic attacks against African Union and Somali Government personnel throughout the country (April 2018)
Spain | Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA): aim(s): establish an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain and southwestern France based on Marxist principles area(s) of operation: headquartered in northern Spain, reportedly disarmed in 2017 (April 2018)
Sri Lanka | Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE): aim(s): revive the movement to establish a Tamil homeland area(s) of operation: presence is primarily in the east where members occasionally plot attacks (April 2018)
Syria | 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: headquartered in the northwestern Idlib Governorate, with a minor presence in Halab Governorate; operational primarily in northern, western, and southern Syria; installs Sharia in areas under its control; targets primarily Syrian regime and pro-regime forces, some minorities, other Syrian insurgent groups, and occasionally Western interests (April 2018) Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS): aim(s): an alias of the al-Nusrah Front; 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: Northwest Syria (December 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS): aim(s): replace the world order with a global Islamic state based in Iraq and Syria; expand its branches and networks in other countries; rule according to ISIS's strict interpretation of Islamic law area(s) of operation: ISIS has lost most of the territory it once controlled and now its overt territorial control is limited to pockets of land along the Syria-Iraq border and in southern Syria (April 2018)
Tunisia | al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM): aim(s): overthrow various African regimes and replace them with one ruled by sharia; establish a regional Islamic caliphate across all of North and West Africa area(s) of operation: leadership headquartered in Algeria; operates in Tunisia and Libya note: al-Qa'ida's affiliate in North Africa; Tunisia-based branch known as the Uqbah bin Nafi Battalion; Mali-based cadre merged with allies to form JNIM in March 2017, which pledged allegiance to AQIM and al-Qa'ida (April 2018) Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia (AAS-T): aim(s): expand its influence in Tunisia and, ultimately, replace the Tunisian Government with sharia area(s) of operation: headquartered in Tunisia; members instigate riots and violent demonstrations and engage in attacks, targeting Tunisian military and security personnel, Tunisian politicians, religious sites, and Western interests (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) network in Tunisia (to include pro-ISIS cells and designated Jund al-Khilafah (JAK-T)): aim(s): replace the Tunisian Government with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: Tunisian ISIS fighters stage attacks just across the border in Libya against government facilities and personnel and foreign tourists in Tunisia (April 2018)
Turkey | Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) networks in Turkey: aim(s): replace the Turkish Government with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: moves fighters and supplies across the Turkey-Syria border; has periodically conducted attacks against civilian and government security targets (April 2018) Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C): aim(s): install a Marxist-Leninist government in Turkey area(s) of operation: membership centered in Turkey, leadership primarily spread throughout Europe; in recent years has revived its attacks against Turkish Government elements, primarily in Istanbul; outlawed in Turkey (April 2018)
United Kingdom | Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA): aim(s): disrupt the Northern Ireland peace process; remove British rule in Northern Ireland and, ultimately, unify Ireland area(s) of operation: based and operationally active primarily in Belfast and along the Northern Ireland-Ireland border, where operatives continue to carry out bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, extortion, and robberies (April 2018) New Irish Republican Army (NIRA): aim(s): use violence to remove British rule in Northern Ireland, disrupt the Northern Ireland peace process, and unify Ireland area(s) of operation: based and operationally active in Northern Ireland, where operatives continue to conduct occasional shootings and small-scale bombings; maintains a presence in Great Britain note: formerly known as the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) (April 2018)
West Bank | Kahane Chai (Kach): aim(s): restore the biblical state of Israel; expel Arabs from Israel's biblical lands area(s) of operation: present in West Bank Jewish settlements, especially the Qiryat Arba' settlement in Hebron, where operatives have conducted bombings and shootings against Muslim and Christian Palestinians; operationally inactive in recent years (April 2018)
Yemen | al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP): aim(s): overthrow the Yemen Government and Huthi forces and, ultimately, establish an Islamic caliphate; eradicate US and Western influence and presence from Yemen and the rest of the Arabian Peninsula area(s) of operation: a core al-Qa'ida affiliate; most active in southern, eastern, and central Yemen (April 2018) Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Yemen (ISIS-Yemen): aim(s): replace the Yemen Government and Huthi forces with an Islamic state and implement ISIS's strict interpretation of sharia area(s) of operation: operational primarily in south and central Yemen, where operatives conduct attacks against Huthi forces, Shia Muslims, and government facilities and personnel (April 2018)

GO TOP