Terrorism Survival Foreign Terrorist Organizations ‘Asbat al-Ansar
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| ‘Asbat al-Ansar |
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| Wednesday, 06 October 2004 | |
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‘Asbat al-Ansar Goals and Objectives. ‘Asbat al-Ansar aims to establish an Islamic state in Lebanon and to eliminate anti-Islamic and U.S. influences in Lebanon and elsewhere. Favored Tactics. ‘Asbat al-Ansar militants primarily use small bombs and grenades to launch attacks against their targets. Brief History. Established in the 1990s, ‘Asbat al-Ansar is a small, relatively new, but highly active Sunni extremist group based primarily in the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in the southern port of Sidon, Lebanon. Its leader is Abdel- Karim al-Saade or Abou Mohjen and the group opposes Lebanon’s representative government, seeking to replace it with an Islamic state governed by Shari’a law.Its constituents, primarily Palestinian refugees, reject peace with Israel. ‘Asbat al- Ansar targets interests and people that it perceives as "un-Islamic," including both soldiers and civilians, Arabs and Westerners. Churches, bars, nightclubs, theaters, liquor stores, and casinos have all been attacked by ‘Asbat al- Ansar militants — as have members of rival militant groups and moderate government officials. In 1999, ‘Asbat al-Ansar assailants sprayed gunfire and hurled grenades at a courthouse in Sidon, killing four Lebanese judges. In an attack against an atypical target, in January 2000, militants launched a rocket-propelled grenade at the Russian embassy in Beirut, reportedly as a gesture of solidarity with the Chechen rebels. Favored Tactics. ‘Asbat al-Ansar militants primarily use small bombs and grenades to launch attacks against their targets. Anti-American Activities. In 2002, ‘Asbat al-Ansar stepped up its attacks and rhetoric against U.S. targets. The group is a suspect in the November 2002 killing of Bonnie Penner, an American missionary in Sidon. ‘Asbat al-Ansar is similarly suspected in a string of bombings against U.S. restaurants in Lebanon. Primary Area(s) of Operation. The group is based in Lebanon, primarily in the ‘Ain al- Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in Sidon. To a large extent, ‘Asbat al- Ansar is able to reign freely in Lebanon’s refugee camps — without repercussions from the Lebanese government — because of an Arab League law that stripped Lebanon of governmental jurisdiction over the camps. Hence, the camps — where several militant and guerilla group such as Fatah and ‘Asbat al- Nour are also said to be operating — are "off-limits" to Lebanese law enforcement and security officials. ‘Asbat al-Ansar’s attacks have so far been limited to targets in Lebanon. Strength and Composition. The group consists of approximately 300 militants, mostly Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Connections with Other Groups. Experts suspect that ‘Asbat al-Ansar is affiliated with Osama bin Laden and the al- Qaeda network. The allegation hinges on the connection of an Australian of Lebanese origin named Bilal Khazal who apparently forms a link between Asbat al-Ansar, the Tripoli Cell, and Al Qaeda. Khazal heads Australia’s Islamic Youth Movement that is accused of recruiting Islamic fundamentalists. The CIA claims that "the Al Qaeda leadership has allegedly delegated responsibility" to Khazal, and the Australian press claims "Bilal Khazal has been linked to an alleged Spanish Al Qaeda operative Abu Dahdah, who is accused of having strong links with one of the brains behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks." A group known as the Tripoli Cell attempted to assassinate U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Vincent Battle in January 2003. Arrested members of the Tripoli Cell admitted to also being Asbat al-Ansar members and reportedly told a military court in Beirut that the group’s leader, Mohammed Ka’aki "received at least $1,800 from Khazal." Some experts believe, then, that Khazal may have formed the linchpin between Asbat al-Ansar, through the Tripoli Cell, to Al Qaeda, although this is subject to dispute. State Supporters and Other Sources of Funding. The State Department says that ‘Asbat al- Ansar likely receives aid from extremist Sunni groups as well as Osama bin Laden and the al- Qaeda network. Date added to the FTO list. March 27, 2002. Issues of Concern for Congress. This group threatens the Lebanese government, rejects peace with Israel and also reportedly tried to assassinate the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon (see above). It may also have ties to Al Qaeda. Within the context of the war on terrorism, it bears watching in future months. |
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