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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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plf
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Palestine Liberation Front (PLF)
Description
Terrorist group that broke away from the PFLP-GC in mid-1970s. Later split
again into pro-PLO, pro-Syrian, and pro-Libyan factions. Pro-PLO faction
led by Muhammad Abbas (Abu Abbas), who became member of PLO Executive
Committee in 1984 but left the Executive Committee in 1991.
Activities
Abu Abbas-led faction carried out abortive seaborne attack staged from Libya
against Israel on 30 May 1990. Abbas's group was also responsible for
October 1985 attack on the cruise ship Achille Lauro and the murder of US
citizen Leon Klinghoffer. A warrant for Abu Abbas's arrest is outstanding
in Italy. Others involved in the hijacking are wanted elsewhere. Openly
supported Iraq during Gulf war.
Strength
At least 50.
Location/Area of Operation
PLO faction based in Tunisia until Achille Lauro attack. Now based in Iraq.
External Aid
Receives logistic and military support mainly from PLO, but also Libya and
Iraq.
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SELECTED INCIDENT CHRONOLOGY
JULY, 1978:
KIDNAPPED 51 UNIFIL SOLDIERS IN TYRE; FORCED BY FATAH TO RELEASE
THEM SEVERAL HOURS LATER.
SEPTEMBER, 1978:
THREE PLF TERRORISTS WERE CAPTURED IN NORTHERN ISRAEL. THEY HAD
INTENDED A HOSTAGE TAKING OPERATION WITH THE GOAL OF SEEKING THE
RELEASE OF PLF PRISONERS HELD IN ISRAEL.
APRIL, 1979:
FOUR PLF OPERATIVES LANDED FROM THE SEA NEAR NAHARIYAH, INTENDING
TO SEIZE ISRAELI HOSTAGES TO BE USED IN EXCHANGE FOR TERRORISTS
BEING HELD BY THE ISRAELIS. THE TERRORISTS KILLED A MAN AND HIS
DAUGHTER IN THEIR APARTMENT, AS WELL AS AN ISRAELI POLICEMAN. TWO
TERRORISTS WERE KILLED DURING THE FIGHTING AND TWO WERE CAPTURED.
AUGUST, 1979:
ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO INFILTRATE ISRAEL BY SEA NEAR ROSH
HANIQRA. THREE TERRORISTS WERE CAPTURED AND ONE KILLED.
JULY, 1980:
ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO INFILTRATE ISRAEL USING A HOT-AIR
BALLOON. THE BALLOON EXPLODED AFTER TAKING OFF, KILLING ONE
TERRORIST.
MARCH, 1981:
ATTEMPTED TO SEND TWO ONE-MAN HANG GLIDERS INTO ISRAEL. BOTH WERE
CAPTURED.
APRIL, 1981:
ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO INFILTRATE ISRAEL USING A HOT-AIR
BALLOON. THE BALLOON WAS SHOT DOWN, AND TWO PLF OPERATIVES WERE
KILLED. DOCUMENTS FOUND ON THE TERRORISTS INDICATED THAT THEIR
MISSION WAS TO TAKE HOSTAGES IN EXCHANGE FOR IMPRISONED PLF
MEMBERS IN ISRAEL.
JUNE, 1984:
A SQUAD FROM THE GHANEM FACTION OF THE PLF WAS CAPTURED IN NORTHERN
ISRAEL, BELIEVED TO BE ON A HOSTAGE-TAKING OPERATION.
OCTOBER, 1985:
HIJACKED THE ITALIAN CRUISE SHIP "ACHILLE LAURO." AFTER HOLDING
HOSTAGES FOR 2 DAYS AND MURDERING ONE WHEELCHAIR-BOUND U.S.
PASSENGER, THE TERRORIST TEAM AND ABU ABBAS SURRENDERED TO THE
EGYPTIANS IN EXCHANGE FOR A PROMISE OF SAFE PASSAGE. THEY WERE
APPREHENDED AT A NATO AIR BASE IN SICILY AFTER U.S. AIRCRAFT
INTERCEPTED AND FORCED DOWN THE EGYPTIAN AIRLINER THAT WAS FLYING
THE TERRORISTS TO SAFEHAVEN. ABU ABBAS WAS SOON RELEASED BY THE
ITALIANS. THE FOUR PLF TERRORISTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HIJACKING
WERE CONVICTED OF THEIR CRIMES AND SENTENCED TO PRISON.
MAY, 1990:
ISRAELI MILITARY FORCES FOILED AN ATTEMPT BY PLF TERRORISTS TO LAND
ON AN ISRAELI BEACH. THE PLAN OF THE TERRORISTS WERE TO ATTACK
AND OCCUPY HOTELS ON THE TEL AVIV BEACH FRONT.
MAY, 1992:
CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN ATTEMPT TO RAID THE ISRAELI RED SEA
RESORT OF EILAT. KILLED A SECURITY GUARD BEFORE ISRAELI MILITARY
KILLED ONE AND WOUNDED ONE TERRORIST. BELIEVED TO HAVE ATTEMPTED
TO SWIM FROM AQABA IN JORDAN ALONG THE COAST LINE TO EILAT. COMES
EXACTLY TWO YEARS AFTER ATTEMPT IN MAY 1990 (5/30) TO ATTACK BEACH
AT TEL AVIV.
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THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS DERIVED FROM MULTIPLE STATE DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE AND PUBLIC MEDIA SOURCE DOCUMENTS.