This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (March 2021)

Abdullah Azzam Brigades
كتائب عبد الله عزام
LeaderMajid bin Muhammad al-Majid[1]
Saleh Al-Qaraawi[1]
Surajuddin Zureiqat[2]
Dates of operation2009[3]–present
Active regionsMiddle East (primary in Lebanon)
IdeologySunni Islam
Islamic fundamentalism
Salafist jihadism
StatusDesignated as a terrorist organization by the UN,[4] Bahrain, Iraq, NZ,[5][6] UAE, Israel, UK & US.
Part of Al-Qaeda[7]

The Abdullah Azzam Brigades (Arabic: كتائب عبد الله عزام), or al-Qaeda in Lebanon, is a Sunni Islamist militant group, and al-Qaeda's branch in Lebanon.[8][9] The group, which began operating in 2009, was founded by Saudi Saleh Al-Qaraawi and has networks in various countries,[10] mainly in Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

It is named after the late Abdullah Yusuf Azzam, a Palestinian from Jordan and a well-known preacher and organizer who was among the first Arabs to volunteer to join the Afghan jihad against the forces of the then-Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s.[11] Some other nonrelated terrorist organizations have been known to use the name "Abdullah Azzam Brigades" as a "name of convenience" for their operations.

After grave injuries Al-Qaraawi received as a result of a drone attack in Pakistan, and his eventual capture upon his return to Saudi Arabia by Saudi authorities, the leadership of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades was assumed by Majid al-Majid, a Saudi affiliated with Fatah al-Islam and al-Qaeda. Al-Majid was declared the leader and emir of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades in June 2012, until his capture by Lebanese authorities on December 27, 2013, and eventual death from kidney failure on January 4, 2014. Al-Majid was succeeded by Sirajuddin Zureiqat.

History

The Abdallah Azzam Brigades was formed by the Saudi national Saleh Al-Qaraawi in 2009[3] as an offshoot of al-Qaeda in Iraq, and was tasked with hitting targets in the Levant and throughout the Middle East. Qaraawi is a Saudi citizen and is on the list of 85 most-wanted terrorists that was issued by the Saudi Interior Ministry in 2009. The group formally announced its establishment in a July 2009 video statement claiming responsibility for a February 2009 rocket attack against Israel.

After attacks by the Ziad al Jarrah Battalion, a Lebanese affiliate of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, a communique was released clarifying that the Brigades operated on a wider scale. The communique said: "[The Abdullah Azzam Brigades] are not confined to Lebanon but there are targets that our fires will reach Allah‐willing in the near future...the Brigades are formed of a number of groups that are spread in numerous places...and the groups of 'Ziad al‐Jarrah' in Lebanon are only some of our groups, and we rushed to create these groups and announced them because of the urgency of the battle with the Jews and the priority of the initiative at the time and the place, but the rest of the groups are outside Lebanon." [citation needed]

In an interview to Al-Jazeera in August 2010, a Yemeni expert on Islamic movements asserted that although violent acts had been claimed by groups using Abdullah Azzam in their name, it was only in 2009 after the Gaza War that the Abdullah Azzam Brigades organization was established.[12]

Branches

The Abdullah Azzam Brigades has branches active in multiple countries:

Aliases

The group has used a number of aliases including:[15][16]

Name of convenience

The name has been used by other non-related organizations as a name of convenience in a number of operations and in various countries.

Egypt

Even prior to the actual formation of the organization in 2009, a group calling itself Abdullah Azzam Brigades carried out devastating attacks in 2004 in the Sinai bombings and in 2005 in Sharm el-Sheikh bombings.

Jordan

In 2005, again much earlier than the official formation of the organization, its name appeared in relation to a series of rocket attacks from Jordan. Several Katyusha rockets were fired from within the Jordanian territory, some hitting near the Eilat Airport and two others hitting very close to two United States Navy ships docked in Aqaba, the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), and the USS Ashland (LSD-48).[23] A group linked with al-Qaeda claimed to have made that attack.[24][25] One of the rockets hit a Jordanian military hospital, killing a Jordanian soldier.[26] The attack is regarded as having been perpetrated by the al-Zarqawi branch of Al Qaeda.[27] A self-styled Abdullah Azzam Brigades also claimed responsibility.[28]

Pakistan

A little-known Pakistani militant group, Fedayeen al-Islam, affiliated with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the Pearl Continental hotel bombing in Peshawar, Pakistan.[11] A spokesman for the group, Amir Muawiya, phoned media organizations claiming responsibility for the attack and promised more attacks were on the way.[29] He further stated that the bombing was in retaliation for Pakistan army operations in Swat and Malakand division of the North West Frontier Province and the tribal areas of Darra Adam Khel and Orakzai Agency[30] However, on 11 June 2009, a previously unknown group calling itself the Abdullah Azzam Shaheed Brigade claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the attack was in response to attacks by Pakistani military forces on Taliban insurgents in the Swat Valley.[31] On 8 December, the head of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Zarteef Khan Afridi (had been working with tribal leaders to trying to pacify the region) was shot dead by armed militants in Jamrud, Khyber. The Abdullah Azam Brigade claimed the murder.[32][33]

On 24 February 2012, this alleged group equipped with suicide bombers blew themselves up in an attack on a police station "C Division" in the heart of Peshawar. According to witnesses, total attackers were more than 10, armed with hand grenades and automatic weaponry with latest technology that had never been used before. Two Pakistani policemen were killed and six others injured. The Abdullah Azzam Brigade claimed responsibility for the attack. Spokesman Abu Zarar Said, speaking from an unknown location, said that the attack was a reaction to the killing of a top militant leader, Badar Mansoor, in a drone strike in Waziristan.[34][35][36] Months later, militants ambushed a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) supply truck in Jamrud, Khyber Agency. The driver was killed and one other civilian was injured in the attack. The Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack, threatening more attacks on drivers who provided supplies to NATO.[37][38][39] On 16 January, explosive device blasts at a Khasadar Forces checkpoint in the Sadokhel area, Landi Kotal, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan. At least one Khasadar officer was killed and another wounded, and the Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.[40]

The Persian Gulf

There are also other operations claimed by the Brigades, but strong doubts whether they were actually involved. For example, on 3 August 2010, a man claimed to be a spokesman of the brigade made a video statement that the Brigades were involved in the attack on the Japanese oil tanker M. Star in the Strait of Hormuz in July 2010. But many analysts are skeptical about the claim that it was the Abdullah Azzam Brigades.[41] A BBC correspondent asserted that the perpetrators were using the name as a "name of convenience"."[41][42]

Syria

The group denied all involvement in the 23 December 2011 suicide attack in the Syrian capital that killed 40 people. The terror group accused the Syrian government of attempting to deflect attention from its brutal crackdown on protesters that has killed more than 5,000 people. In a statement released on jihadist websites on 27 December 2011, the Abdullah Azzam Brigades denied responsibility for the suicide attacks.[43]

In a statement issued by the group's emir, Majid bin Muhammad al-Majid, in June 2012, the group acknowledged its fight against the forces of President Bashar al Assad in the Syrian Civil War. Majid recommended that the rebels avoid use of car bombs and bomb belts inside cities for fear of harming and alienating Syrian civilians. This advice is in contrast to the actions of another Salafist Jihadist group active in the Syrian Civil War, the Al-Nusra Front.[1]

Lebanon

An improvised device blasts outside of the Fakhereddine Army Barracks in Beirut, leaving one soldier wounded. A man claiming to be a member of Al-Qaida called the Lebanese newspaper Al Balad and claimed responsibility for the attack before and after the blasts.[44][45]

During 2013, the group start a string of attacks in 2013.[46][47][48] On 19 November 2013, the Brigade claimed responsibility for a double suicide bombing outside the Iranian embassy in Beirut, which killed at least 23 people and wounded over 140.[49][50] The group said the bombing was retaliation for Iranian support of Hezbollah, which fights on the Syrian government's side in the current Syrian civil war, and warned of further attacks should Iran's government not acquiesce.[51] In 23 December the Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed a rocket attack in Hermel, Lebanon.[52][53]

During the firsts weeks of 2014, Abdullah Azzam claimed a string of rocket attacks in the south of Lebannon.[54][55][56] On 19 February 2014, the brigade carried out an attack on the Iranian Cultural Center in Beirut's southern suburb of Bir-Hasan, killing 11 and wounding 130, their motive was the support of Iran in the Syrian war.[57][58] Three days later, a car bomb blasts at a Lebanese Army checkpoint on Al-Assi Bridge at the entrance to Hermel city, Beqaa Governorate. In addition to the bomber, two soldiers and one civilian, were killed and at least 15 people were wounded. The authorities blamed to the Abdullah Azzam Brigades or Al-Nusrah Front for the attack.[59][60] After this attack, the group continued with its rocket attacks against israeli cities.[61][62]

Arrest and death of Majid al-Majid

On 27 December 2013, Lebanese authorities captured Majid bin Mohammad al-Majid, the Saudi leader of the group.[63][64][65] Al-Majid had undergone kidney treatment at the Makased hospital in Beirut. The hospital had released him and he had reportedly hidden in a Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh, near Saida. He allegedly tried to move elsewhere for more medical treatment, but was captured by the Lebanese army on the Beirut-Damascus highway.[66]

On 3 January 2014, DNA tests confirmed that the man detained by Lebanese army intelligence is Majid al-Majid, the chief of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades. The DNA samples belonging to relatives of Majid in Saudi Arabia matched those of the suspect who remained in custody of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Lebanon's state National News Agency reported.[67] On 4 January, Majid died of kidney failure in a military hospital in Beirut.[68]

Reactions

Listing as a terrorist organization

The Abdullah Azzam Brigades has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations,[4] Bahrain,[72] Iraq,[73] New Zealand,[5][6] the UAE, the United Kingdom,[74] the United States,[75] Canada[76] and Israel.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Bill Roggio (27 June 2012). "Abdullah Azzam Brigades names leader, advises against attacks in Syria's cities". The Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  2. ^ "Abdullah Azzam Brigades leader calls on Lebanese people to attack Hezbollah". The Long War Journal. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "Terrorist Designations of the Abdallah Azzam Brigades". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  4. ^ a b "The List established and maintained by the Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee with respect to individuals, groups, undertakings and other entities associated with Al-Qaida". United Nations Security Council Committee 1267. UN.org. 19 November 2014. Archived from the original on 25 September 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Designated individuals and organisations" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  6. ^ a b United Nations Web Services Section. "The Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee". Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Abdallah Azzam Brigades (AAB)". Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Abdullah Azzam Brigades | Civil Society Knowledge Centre". Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  9. ^ Baker, Aryn (20 November 2013). "Who are the Abdullah Azzam Brigades?". Time. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  10. ^ The Abdullah Azzam Brigades Archived 2010-09-11 at the Wayback Machine, The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center 1 September 2010
  11. ^ a b Unknown group claims Peshawar hotel bombing Archived 5 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine, The News International, 11 June 2009
  12. ^ "Al Qaeda attack on a Japanese oil tanker". Al-Jazeera. 4 August 2010. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  13. ^ New Palestinian military groups surface in Gaza Archived 2014-11-10 at the Wayback Machine, Ma'an News Agency 10 April 2011
  14. ^ New splinter terror groups surface in Gaza Strip Archived 15 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Jerusalem Post 10 April 2011
  15. ^ "Terrorist Organization Profiles - START - National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism". Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  16. ^ "Abdullah Azzam Brigades (AAB)". Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  17. ^ Death toll rises in Egypt blasts Archived 13 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine BBC News. 9 October 2004. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  18. ^ Egypt jails five in Sinai attacks Archived 13 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine Washington Post, 25 October 2004.
  19. ^ Egyptian Court Condemns 3 Militants Archived 7 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Washington Post, 30 November 2006.
  20. ^ [1] Archived 2016-05-03 at the Wayback Machine Police question dozens over Egypt bombings. 25 July 2005. ABC News Online
  21. ^ Egypt Gets Tough in Sinai In Wake of Resort Attacks Archived 29 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine Washington Post, 1 October 2005.
  22. ^ [2] Archived 5 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine Bloomberg.com: Germany
  23. ^ Gaouette, Mark (2010). Cruising for Trouble: Cruise Ships as Soft Targets for Pirates, Terrorists and Common Criminals. ABC-CLIO. pp. 66–67. ISBN 978-0-313-38234-5. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  24. ^ "Two rockets land in Eilat area," Archived 10 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine 04/22/2010, Jerusalem Post.
  25. ^ "Scores arrested in connection with Aqaba rocket attack," Archived 18 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine Al Bawaba News, August 22, 2005.
  26. ^ "Iraqi arrested in Jordan over rocket attack on US warship," Archived 2014-01-06 at the Wayback Machine (AFP), 20 August 2005, Khaleej Times.
  27. ^ Beyond al-Qaeda: Global Jihadist Movement, Angel Rabasa, Rand Corporation, 2006, p. 145.
  28. ^ "U.S. warns on travel to Jordan port city," Suleiman al-Khalidi, September 15, 2010, Reuters, MSNBC.
  29. ^ New groups takes credit for Pakistan blast Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, United Press International, 11 June 2009
  30. ^ AA Shaheed Brigade claims responsibility for Peshawar attack[permanent dead link], Press Trust of India, 11 June 2009
  31. ^ New groups takes credit for Pakistan blast Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, United Press International, 2009-06-11
  32. ^ "CASE HISTORY: ZARTEEF AFRIDI". Frontline Defenders. 16 December 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  33. ^ "GTD ID:201112080021". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  34. ^ Suicide attack on Peshawar police station leaves four dead Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, [The Express Tribune, Pakistan], 24 February 2012
  35. ^ "Pakistan: Police Station Is Attacked". The New York Times. 25 February 2012. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  36. ^ "GTD ID:201202240001". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  37. ^ "Gunmen Kill NATO Truck Driver in Pakistan". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  38. ^ "Gunmen attack NATO truck in Pakistan, killing 1". CNN. 6 August 2012. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  39. ^ "NATO supply trucks attacked in Pakistan". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  40. ^ "GTD ID:201401160041". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  41. ^ a b "Japan tanker was damaged in a terror attack, UAE says". BBC News. 6 August 2010. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  42. ^ McCurry, Justin (6 August 2010). "Japanese oil tanker hit by terrorist bomb, say inspectors". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  43. ^ Bill Roggio (28 December 2011). "Adbullah Azzam Brigades denies responsibility for Damascus suicide attacks". The Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  44. ^ "Bomb targets Beirut army barracks". Al Jaazera. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  45. ^ "Bomb blast rocks Lebanese army barracks". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 February 2006. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  46. ^ "GTD ID:201307160015". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  47. ^ "GTD ID:201308220006". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  48. ^ "Rockets from Lebanon fired at northern Israel, no casualties". Reuters. 22 August 2013. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  49. ^ "BBC News - Lebanon suicide blasts hit Iran's embassy in Beirut". BBC News. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  50. ^ "Suicide bombings kill 23 near Iran embassy in Beirut". Reuters. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  51. ^ Walsh, Nick Paton; Smith, Matt (19 November 2013). "Beirut bombs kill 23; blasts linked to Syrian civil war". CNN. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  52. ^ "GTD ID:201312170052". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  53. ^ "GTD ID:201312170053". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  54. ^ "GTD ID:201401250001". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  55. ^ "GTD ID:201401250046". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  56. ^ "201402120018". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  57. ^ Barnard, Anne; Saad, Hwaida (19 February 2014). "2 Deadly Blasts Rock Beirut, as Violence Seeps From Syria". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  58. ^ "Bombings renew fears in Beirut's southern suburbs". Al Monitor. 20 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  59. ^ "Two Lebanese soldiers killed after army post blast". Al Arabiya. 22 February 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  60. ^ "Suicide car bomb kills three in Hezbollah stronghold near Syria". Reuters. 16 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  61. ^ "GTD ID:201407090016". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  62. ^ "GTD ID:201509180032". Global Terrorism Database. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  63. ^ "Ghosn confirms chief of Al-Qaeda-linked group arrested". The Daily Star. 1 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  64. ^ Hosenball, Mark; Alistair Bell; Andrew Hay (31 December 2013). "Leader of group linked to al Qaeda held in Lebanon: sources". Reuters. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  65. ^ Lebanon arrests alleged al Qaeda-linked militant Archived 8 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine France24
  66. ^ "Al-Qaeda-affiliated emir arrested in Lebanon". Al-Monitor. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  67. ^ "DNA tests confirm Majid's identity". NOW. 3 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  68. ^ "Al-Qaeda's chief in Lebanon Majid al-Majid dies in custody". BBC. 4 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  69. ^ مراتب قدردانی روحانی از دستگیری الماجد را به اطلاع مقامات لبنانی رساند Archived 5 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine Young Journalists Club
  70. ^ Report: Saudi Arabia Rejects Iranian Request to Participate in al-Majed's Questioning Archived 23 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine Naharnet
  71. ^ "Majid al-Majid Arrested". Guardian Liberty Voice. 5 January 2014. Archived from the original on 12 August 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  72. ^ "login". www.mofa.gov.bh. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  73. ^ الموضوع Archived 14 May 2022 at the Wayback Machine Iraqi Ministerial Notice. (in Arabic) Retrieved 17 March 2022
  74. ^ "Proscribed terrorist groups or organisations" (PDF). Home Office. 15 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  75. ^ "Terrorist Designations of the Abdallah Azzam Brigades". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  76. ^ "Currently listed Terrorist entities". Public Safety Canada. Government of Canada. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
Categories