Terrorist Organization Profile:
Martyr Abu-Ali Mustafa Brigades

The Abu-Ali Mustafa Brigades operates wholly under the direction of the PFLP. The PFLP is a Marxist-Leninist, Palestinian secular nationalist movement, and one of the most hard-line of the various Palestinian groups in the region. Opposed to the peace process in any form, the PFLP is dedicated to the destruction of Israel, and the Abu-Ali Mustafa Brigades is the military infrastructure set up to achieve these aims.

The Brigades have been responsible for dozens of attacks on both civilians and military targets in Israel and the Occupied Territories. Formerly known as the "Red Eagles," the Brigades can be said to be responsible for any violent action taken by the PFLP after the August 2001 killing of al-Zibri. These incidents include several suicide bombings in Israel, numerous attacks on Israeli settlements in Gaza, and the launching of rocket attacks on Israeli territory and settlements alike.

The Brigades, under the PFLP, enjoy widespread financial support from Syria. In addition, the organization often cooperates with the al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade, the Izz-al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wings of al-Fatah, HAMAS, and Islamic Jihad respectively.

Learn more about these U.S. Department of State classifications:

Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)

Terrorist Exclusion List (TEL)