Mothertongue Name:
جماعة أبو سياف

Aliases: Al-Harakat Al-Islamiyyah, Bearer of the Sword

Base of Operation: Philippines

Founding Philosophy: The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was formed in 1991 during the peace process between the Philippine government and the nationalist/separatist terrorist group, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Between 1986 and 1996, MNLF engaged in negotiations to end their two-decade terrorist rebellion. Certain MNLF members refused to accept the end of the terrorist movement. Angered by the movement toward a peaceful resolution, these members formed Abu Sayyaf (Arabic for "Bearer of the Sword") as a small but extremely violent terrorist organization.

While the Abu Sayyaf Group remains nominally committed to the formation of a Muslim state in the southern Philippines, the group has recently shifted toward predominantly criminal enterprises. Some intelligence experts have viewed recent ASG bombings as a possible sign that the group is returning to its radical philosophical roots.

Current Goals: The Abu Sayyaf Group remains committed to criminal and terrorist activities. The Philippine government has struggled for over two decades against the terrorist movement that began with MNLF's founding in 1972. The Abu Sayyaf Group is the most violent remnant of that terrorist movement. Spurred on by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States has pledged military aid to the Philippine government for the express purpose of eliminating the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Further Reference

	Encyclopedia of terrorism/ Harvey W. Kushner , Harvey W. Kushner, c2003., Sage Publications, (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
	In the presence of my enemies / Gracia Burnham with Dean Merrill., Gracia Burnham, c2003., Tyndale House, (Wheaton, Ill. )
	Encyclopedia of world terrorism , 2003, M.E. Sharpe, (Armonk, NY)
	Terrorism: assassins to zealots/ Sean Kendall Anderson, Stephen Sloan, Sean Kendall Anderson and Stephen Sloan, 01/01/2003, The Scarecrow Press, Inc., (Lanham, Maryland)
	13 days of terror : held hostage by al Qaeda linked extremists - a true story / Greg Williams., Greg Williams, c2003, New Horizon Press, (Far Hills, N.J. )
	more...

Related Categories

	Knowledge Base Directory > Groups > Ideology > Nationalist/Separatist
	Knowledge Base Directory > Groups > Location > Southeast Asia & Oceania > Philippines
	Knowledge Base Directory > Groups > Ideology > Religious
	Knowledge Base Directory > Groups > Location > Southeast Asia & Oceania