Terrorist Organisations - The Worst

1. Al-Qaeda

• Founded: 1988 by Osama bin Laden.
• Ideology: Salafi jihadism (Sunni extremist).
• Goals: Establish a global Islamic caliphate and expel Western influence from Muslim countries.
• Notable Attacks: 9/11 attacks in the U.S. (2001), embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania (1998).
• Regions Active: Middle East, North Africa, South Asia.

2. Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/Daesh)

• Founded: 2013 (as a splinter from Al-Qaeda in Iraq).
• Ideology: Salafi jihadism.
• Goals: Create a global caliphate, beginning in Iraq and Syria.
• Notable Acts: Genocide against Yazidis, mass executions, global attacks (France, UK, etc.).
• Regions Active: Primarily Iraq and Syria; affiliates in Libya, West Africa, Afghanistan.

3. Boko Haram

• Founded: Early 2000s in Nigeria.
• Ideology: Islamist extremism.
• Goals: Establish an Islamic state in Nigeria; oppose Western education.
• Notable Acts: Chibok schoolgirl kidnappings (2014), bombings, mass killings.
• Regions Active: Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon.

4. Taliban

• Founded: 1994 in Afghanistan.
• Ideology: Deobandi Islamic fundamentalism.
• Goals: Implement Sharia law in Afghanistan.
• Notable Acts: Brutal regime (1996–2001), attacks on civilians, cooperation with Al-Qaeda.
• Note: Regained control of Afghanistan in 2021; international recognition remains controversial.

5. Haqqani Network

• Founded: 1970s by Jalaluddin Haqqani.
• Ideology: Sunni Islamist.
• Goals: Remove foreign influence from Afghanistan, support Taliban rule.
• Notable Acts: Attacks on U.S. and Afghan targets, Kabul hotel and embassy attacks.
• Regions Active: Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

6. Hezbollah

• Founded: 1982 in Lebanon.
• Ideology: Shia Islamist, backed by Iran.
• Goals: Resistance to Israel, promote Iranian interests in the region.
• Notable Acts: 1983 Beirut barracks bombings, conflict with Israel.
• Regions Active: Lebanon, Syria; global operations and funding networks.

7. Hamas

• Founded: 1987 in Palestine.
• Ideology: Sunni Islamist.
• Goals: Liberation of Palestine; establishment of an Islamic state.
• Notable Acts: Suicide bombings, rocket attacks on Israel.
• Regions Active: Gaza Strip.

8. Al-Shabaab

• Founded: Mid-2000s in Somalia.
• Ideology: Salafi jihadism.
• Goals: Establish Islamic rule in Somalia; part of Al-Qaeda.
• Notable Acts: Westgate Mall attack (Kenya, 2013), Mogadishu bombings.
• Regions Active: Somalia, Kenya.

9. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)

• Founded: 1964.
• Ideology: Marxist-Leninist.
• Goals: Land reform, anti-imperialism.
• Notable Acts: Kidnappings, bombings, drug trafficking.
• Note: Signed peace deal in 2016, but some factions continue armed struggle.

10. Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)

• Founded: 1978 in Turkey.
• Ideology: Kurdish nationalism, Marxism.
• Goals: Greater Kurdish autonomy or independence.
• Notable Acts: Insurgency in southeastern Turkey.
• Regions Active: Turkey, Iraq, Syria.

11. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)

• Founded: 1987 in Pakistan.
• Ideology: Islamist extremism.
• Goals: Incorporate Kashmir into Pakistan.
• Notable Acts: 2008 Mumbai attacks.
• Regions Active: India, Pakistan.

12. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)

• Founded: 2000 in Pakistan.
• Ideology: Islamist extremism.
• Goals: Integrate Kashmir with Pakistan, establish Islamic rule.
• Notable Acts: 2001 Indian Parliament attack, Pulwama attack (2019).
• Regions Active: India, Pakistan.

13. Irish Republican Army (IRA) (Primarily historical)

• Founded: Early 20th century.
• Ideology: Irish nationalism.
• Goals: End British rule in Northern Ireland.
• Notable Acts: Bombings in Britain and Northern Ireland.
• Note: Main group disarmed after Good Friday Agreement (1998); dissident factions still active.

14. Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)

• Founded: 1991 in the Philippines.
• Ideology: Islamist extremism.
• Goals: Establish an independent Islamic province in southern Philippines.
• Notable Acts: Kidnappings, beheadings, bombings.
• Regions Active: Southern Philippines, maritime Southeast Asia.