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U.S. National Counterterrorism Center’s (NCTC) Watchlist: Global Threats from Designated Terrorist Organizations

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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.

 

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