The U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), operating under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), compiles and maintains a comprehensive list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). These groups, driven by varied ideological, political, and religious motivations, pose significant threats to global peace and security. Their operations span across continents and are often responsible for some of the most heinous acts of terror in recent decades.
Below is an overview of several key groups on this list, categorized by leadership, region of operation, terrorist activities, and notable attacks.
Key Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) as Per NCTC
| Sr. | Name of Group | Leadership & Affiliations | Primary Region | Terrorist Acts | Notable Attacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) | Affiliated with Jemaah Islamiyah and Moro Islamic Liberation Front | Philippines | Kidnappings, bombings, assassinations | 2004: SuperFerry bombing (116 dead); 2000-2007: Multiple resort kidnappings, bombings |
| 2 | Afghan Taliban | Mullah Mohammad Omar (founder), Mullah Akhtar Mansur (successor) | Afghanistan | Insurgency, strict Sharia enforcement | 2015: Kabul bombings & attacks |
| 3 | Al-Nusrah Front (HTS) | Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani | Syria | Syrian civil war insurgency | 2014: First American suicide bomber in Syria |
| 4 | Al-Shabaab | Ahmed Abdi Aw-Mohamed (deceased) | Somalia/East Africa | Suicide bombings, mass shootings | 2013: Westgate Mall Attack; 2015: Garissa University massacre |
| 5 | Ansar al-Sharia | Muhammad al-Zawahi (former), Abu Khalid al-Madani (current) | Libya, Tunisia | Attacks on security and diplomatic missions | 2012: Benghazi U.S. Consulate attack |
| 6 | Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis | Abu Osama al-Masri (possible) | Egypt | Bombings, armed attacks | 2011–2014: Attacks on Israel and Egyptian forces |
| 7 | Al-Qa’ida Core (AQ) | Usama bin Ladin, Ayman al-Zawahiri | Global | Global jihad, suicide bombings | 2001: 9/11 attacks; 2005: London bombings |
| 8 | AQ in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) | Nasir al-Wahishi, Anwar al-Aulaqi | Yemen | Plots against Western targets | 2009: Christmas Day bombing attempt |
| 9 | AQ in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) | Abdelmalek Droukdal | North Africa | Kidnappings, smuggling | 2009–2013: Kidnappings of Westerners |
| 10 | Boko Haram | Abubakar Shekau (deceased) | Nigeria/West Africa | Mass kidnappings, massacres | 2014: Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping |
| 11 | Central Asia Terror Networks | Various: IMU, IJU, IK | Central Asia (e.g., Uzbekistan) | Bombings, regional destabilization | 2010–2013: Moscow, Domodedovo, Volgograd bombings |
| 12 | Greek Domestic Terrorism | Groups like 17N, EA, SPF, SE | Greece | Political bombings, assassinations | 2009–2014: Police assassinations, embassy and bank bombings |
| 13 | HAMAS | Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar | Gaza/Palestinian Territories | Rocket attacks, suicide bombings | 2008–2012: Gaza conflicts, Operation Pillar of Defense |
| 14 | Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin (HIG) | Gulbuddin Hekmatyar | Afghanistan | Suicide attacks, insurgency | 2015: Kabul VBIED attack |
| 15 | Hizballah | Hasan Nasrallah | Lebanon | Attacks on Israeli/Western interests | 1983: U.S. Embassy bombing; 2012: Burgas bombing |
| 16 | ISIS / ISIL | Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi | Iraq, Syria, Global | Beheadings, global terror | 2014: Mosul capture, Yazidi genocide; 2019: Sri Lanka Easter bombings |
| 17 | Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) | Maulana Masood Azhar | Pakistan/Kashmir | Suicide bombings, military targets | 2019: Pulwama attack; 2009: Sri Lanka cricket team attack |
| 18 | Jemaah Islamiya (JI) | Abu Bakar Bashir, Hambali | Southeast Asia | Bali bombings, hotel attacks | 2003–2004: Marriott and Australian Embassy bombings |
| 19 | Lashkar-e-Jhangvi | Akram Lahori, Malik Ishaq | Pakistan | Sectarian attacks (Shi’a) | 2013: Quetta bombings; 2009–2010: Military targets |
| 20 | Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) | Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi | Pakistan | Cross-border jihad into India | 2008: 26/11 Mumbai attacks; 2010: German Bakery bombing |
| 21 | Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) | Joseph Kony | Uganda/Central Africa | Massacres, child soldiers | 2008–2010: Makombo, Christmas massacres |
| 22 | Haqqani Network | Jalaluddin & Sirajuddin Haqqani | Afghanistan/Pakistan | Kabul hotel, embassy attacks | 2008–2011: Indian Embassy, Intercontinental siege |
| 23 | Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) | Noor Wali Mehsud (current) | Pakistan | Suicide bombings, assassinations | 2012: Malala attack; 2010: Times Square bombing attempt |
Global Implications and Counterterrorism Coordination
These terror groups, many of which are interlinked through financial, ideological, or logistical networks, remain persistent threats to regional and global stability. The NCTC’s list serves as a foundational tool for international intelligence sharing, counterterrorism strategy formulation, and sanctions enforcement.
Understanding the profiles and histories of these organizations helps governments and international agencies design effective measures to counter terrorism and prevent radicalization.