One example of a terrorist group that supported nationalistic and ethnic separatist terrorism is the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commonly called the “Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka” was known for being one of the most brutal and active terrorist organization in the international community (Pickert, 2009). The group originated from Sri Lanka with their group leader, Vellupillai Prabhakaran. They started engaging in warfare in when they detached the group from the Tamil homeland (Pickert, 2009). LTTE engaged in ground and sea attacks by using grenade launchers, rockets and other deadly weapons. In the article of Pickert (2009), it was mentioned that some of LTTE’s trained members have been noted in the employing vicious tactics when cyanide capsules were worn by LTTE fighters around their necks that they will swallow when apprehended by authorities as a form of suicide terrorism.
In Chapter 7, it was mentioned LTTE sought to control geographic areas by using standard guerrilla tactics as they created uniformed units and practiced terrorism from jungle hideaways. At present, Tamil Tigers have developed proficiency in the illegal purchase weapons from other countries or by maintaining ties with the transnational networks and arms dealers. The Tamil Tigers group has relied heavily on criminal activities of Taliban and Al Qaeda (Falksohn and Rao, 2008).
In the article of Kershner and Akram (2013), it was reported that militant, Haitham al-Mishal was killed in Gaza. He was a known key terror personality who was responsible for manufacturing and trading of weapons such as rockets and explosive devices. Mishal has been identified to have strong working relationships with every militant organization located in the Gaza Strip. The killing of Mishal resulted after an Israeli victim, Evyatar Borovsky, was killed by Palestinian violence in the West Bank (Kershner and Akram, 2013).
In Chapter 10, it was shown that the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has been long standing. History shows that Jewish groups intended to kill non-Jewish people in traditional Jewish lands for they believe the biblical kingdom of Israel is a literal and geographical gift to them from God. In response, the Israelis used terrorism with controversial policies by bulldozing, invasions of Lebanon, constructing a wall to separate Palestinians from Israelis, and targeted assassinations.
References
Ganor, B. (2005). The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle: A Guide for Decision Makers. New Jersey:
Transactional Publishers.
Falksohn, R. and Rao, P. (2008). “Tamil Tigers Exploit Exiles Abroad to Fund Insurgency”.
Web. May 3, 2013. http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/extorting-the-diaspora-tamil-tigers-exploit-exiles-abroad-to-fund-insurgency-a-535316.html.
Kershner, I. and Akram, F. (2013). Gazan Killed After Israeli Is Stabbed to Death in the West
Bank. New York Times.com. Web. May 3, 2013,
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/01/world/middleeast/israeli-airstrike-kills-palestinian-in-gaza.html?_r=0.
Pickert, K. (2009). “The Tamil Tigers”. New York Times.com. Viewed on May 3, 2013, http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1869501,00.html.
