NCJ Number
132250
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1991) Pages: 59-66
Date Published
1991
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The Abu Nidal Organization (ANO), an offshoot of Fatah, has in recent years been marginalized as a political actor in the Middle East. However, in the aftermaths of the Persian Gulf War, the ANO may be reinvigorated as it finds increased opportunities to threaten Western and conservative Arab targets.
Abstract
The organization's raison d'etre is rooted in violence and in Abu Nidal's rejection of diplomacy. Despite a break with Fatah in 1974, the ANO has flourished with Iraqi, Libyan, and Syrian sponsorship. Major sources of ANO funding have included commercial operations, mostly in Eastern Europe, government subsidies, and blackmail. Abu Nidal's various State sponsors have provided training to his terrorist cadres. The basic ANO training cycle for operational personnel consists of small arms and explosives training as well as political indoctrination. The Syrians have also provided false identity cards and passports to the ANO. Although the group in general avoids close cooperation with other terrorist groups for security reasons, it does have some association with other international terrorist cells. 60 notes (Author abstract modified)