Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades

Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
كتائب شهداء الأقصى
Kataeb Shuhada Al-Aqsa[1][2][3][4][5][6]
LeaderYasser Arafat (former)
Dates of operation2000–present
Ideology
Part of Fatah (until 2007)
Allies Hamas
 Palestinian Islamic Jihad
 Popular Resistance Committees
Palestinian Authority Palestinian Authority (until 2007)
Opponents Israel
Battles and wars
Designated as a terrorist group by Israel
 United States
 European Union
 Canada
 New Zealand
 Japan
Websitenedal.net

The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades (Arabic: كتائب شهداء الأقصى; Romanised Kataeb Shuhada Al-Aqsa)[2][1] are a Fatah-aligned coalition of Palestinian armed groups in the West Bank[7] and the Gaza Strip.[9]

Created in 2000 amidst the Second Intifada,[10] the Brigades previously operated as the official armed wing of the Fatah political party before separating from them in 2007.[11] Presently, the organization continues to be politically aligned with Fatah[7] and nonetheless sometimes still presents itself as the party's armed wing, an association rejected by Fatah leadership.[10][12]

The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades have conducted various armed attacks on Israeli military and civilian targets since 2000. Notably, they have participated in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war (2023–present) alongside Hamas and other allied Palestinian factions.[10][12][13]

The Brigades have been designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the European Union,[14][15] Canada,[16] Japan,[17] New Zealand,[18] and the United States.[19]

  1. ^ a b "Prisoner Stories: Mohammad Hussnee Zeidan". The Electronic Intifada. 16 September 2004. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b Murphy, Maureen Clare (17 September 2004). "Prisoner Stories: Sleiman Sari al Sa'di's sons". The Electronic Intifada. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  3. ^ "The Palestinian Shahid: Model 21st Century Islamic Terrorist". ict.org.il.web101.virtualbox.co.il. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Palestine in 2022: A Year of Resistance". Al-Shabaka. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  5. ^ "From Jenin to Gaza to Nablus: Palestinian Resistance Under Attack". Al-Shabaka. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Reforming the Palestinian Security Sector-Problems & Prospects". passia.org. 9 August 2004. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades | West Bank & Attacks | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Chapter 6 -- Terrorist Organizations". 30 April 2008. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (AMB) – Fatah". ECFR. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "Not only Hamas: eight factions at war with Israel in Gaza". Newsweek. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference AJ Arabic Factions Summary was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b "With Al-Qassam and Al-Quds Brigades, four other armed Palestinian factions are fighting Israel in Gaza". The New Arab. 22 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade took part in October 7 massacre - report". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  14. ^ [1], Official Journal of the European Union, 30 September 2005 Archived 5 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Kushner, Harvey (2002). Encyclopedia of Terrorism. Sage Publications Inc. p. 11. ISBN 9780761924081.
  16. ^ "Currently listed entities" Archived 19 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, 11 November 2006
  17. ^ "Japan's Foreign Policy in Major Diplomatic Fields" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2007.
  18. ^ "Lists associated with Resolution 1373". New Zealand Police. 20 July 2014. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  19. ^ "Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)" Archived 17 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine, U.S. Department of State, 11 October 2005