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Wayzata World Factbook 1996
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The World Factbook - 1996 Edition - Wayzata Technology (3079) (1996).iso
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terror
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15may
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1996-01-11
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15 May Organization
Description
Formed in 1979 from remnants of Wadi Haddad's Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine-Special Operations Group (PFLP-SOG). Led by
Muhammad al-Umari, who is known throughout Palestinian circles as Abu
Ibrahim or the bomb man. Group was never part of PLO. Reportedly disbanded
in the mid-1980s when several key members joined Colonel Hawari's Special
Operations Group of Fatah.
Activities
Claimed responsibility for several bombings in the early-to-middle 1980s,
including hotel bombing in London (1980), El Al's Rome and Istanbul offices
(1981), and Israeli Embassies in Athens and Vienna (1981). Anti-US attacks
include an attempted bombing of a Pan Am airliner in Rio de Janeiro and a
bombing on board a Pan Am flight from Tokyo to Honolulu in August 1982.
(The accused bomber in this last attack, Mohammed Rashid, is currently
awaiting trial in the United States for the bombing, which killed a Japanese
teenager.)
Strength
50 to 60 in early 1980s.
Location/Area of Operation
Baghdad until 1984. Before disbanding, operated in Middle East,
Europe, and East Asia. Abu Ibrahim is reportedly in Iraq.
External Aid
Probably received logistic and financial support from Iraq until 1984.
SELECTED INCIDENT CHRONOLOGY
JANUARY, 1980:
KILLED A 22 YEAR OLD ARAB STUDENT AND WOUNDED A GERMAN NATIONAL IN
A BOMBING OF THE MOUNT ROYAL HOTEL IN LONDON.
MAY, 1981:
DETONATED AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE OUTSIDE THE ROME OFFICE OF EL AL
AIRLINES.
AUGUST, 1981:
DETONATED AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE NEAR THE EL AL OFFICE AT LEONARDO DA
VINCI AIRPORT IN ROME.
AUGUST, 1981:
DETONATED AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE NEAR THE EMBASSY OF ISRAEL IN ATHENS.
JANUARY, 1982:
KILLED ONE CHILD AND WOUNDED 46 PERSONS IN THE BOMBING OF A JEWISH
RESTAURANT IN WEST BERLIN.
AUGUST, 1982:
KILLED ONE PERSON AND INJURED FOURTEEN WITH A TIME-DELAY EXPLOSIVE
DEVICE THAT DETONATED ON A PAN AMERICAN AIRCRAFT SHORTLY BEFORE IT
LANDED IN HAWAII.
DECEMBER, 1983:
ATTEMPTED TO BLOW UP THREE AIRLINERS IN FLIGHT. EXPLOSIVE DEVICES
WERE DISCOVERED ABOARD TWO ISRAEL-BOUND FLIGHTS AND A SUITCASE BOMB
WAS DISCOVERED PRIOR TO BEING LOADED ABOARD A ROME-NEW YORK FLIGHT.
JANUARY, 1984:
ATTEMPTED TO BLOW UP AN EL AL FLIGHT FROM TEL AVIV TO ATHENS WITH A
SUITCASE BOMB. THE ATTEMPT FAILED DUE TO A TECHNICAL MALFUNCTION
IN THE DEVICE.
OCTOBER, 1985:
ITALIAN POLICE ARRESTED TWO MEMBERS OF MAY 15 AND SEIZED DEVICES
FOR USE IN ATTACKS ON AMERICAN EXPRESS AND THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN
ROME.
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THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS DERIVED FROM MULTIPLE STATE DEPARTMENT,
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, AND PUBLIC MEDIA SOURCE DOCUMENTS.