| Significant
|
|
Terrorist
|
|
Incidents |
| A Chronology: |
|
1997- Aug. 2001 |
1961-1996
2001
2002
2003
Dept. of State
Office of the Historian
Bureau of Public Affairs
Significant Terrorist Incidents:A Chronology
1997- Aug. 2001:
Egyptian Letter Bombs, January 2-13, 1997:
A series of letter bombs with Alexandria, Egypt, postmarks
were discovered at Al-Hayat newspaper bureaus in Washington,
New York City, London, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Three
similar devices, also postmarked in Egypt, were found at a
prison facility in Leavenworth, Kansas. Bomb disposal experts
defused all the devices, but one detonated at the Al-Hayat
office in London, injuring two security guards and causing
minor damage.
Tajik Hostage Abductions, February 4-17, 1997:
Near Komsomolabad, Tajikistan, a paramilitary group led by
Bakhrom Sodirov abducted four United Nations military observers.
The victims included two Swiss, one Austrian, one Ukrainian, and
their Tajik interpreter. The kidnappers demanded safe passage for
their supporters from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. In four separate
incidents occurring between Dushanbe and Garm, Bakhrom Sodirov and
his group kidnapped two International Committee for the Red Cross
members, four Russian journalists and their Tajik driver, four UNHCR
members, and the Tajik Security Minister, Saidamir Zukhurov.
Venezuelan Abduction, February 14, 1997:
Six armed Colombian guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. oil engineer and his
Venezuelan pilot in Apure, Venezuela. The kidnappers released the
Venezuelan pilot on February 22. According to authorities, the FARC
is responsible for the kidnapping.
Empire State Building Sniper Attack, February 23, 1997:
A Palestinian gunman opened fire on tourists at an observation deck
atop the Empire State Building in New York City, killing a Danish
national and wounding visitors from the United States, Argentina,
Switzerland, and France before turning the gun on himself. A
handwritten note carried by the gunman claimed this was a punishment
attack against the "enemies of Palestine."
ELN Kidnapping, February 24, 1997:
National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. citizen
employed by a Las Vegas gold corporation who was scouting a gold
mining operation in Colombia. The ELN demanded a ransom of $2.5
million.
FARC Kidnapping, March 7, 1997:
FARC guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. mining employee and his Colombian
colleague who were searching for gold in Colombia. On November 16,
the rebels released the two hostages after receiving a $50,000 ransom.
Hotel Nacional Bombing, July 12, 1997:
A bomb exploded at the Hotel Nacional in Havana, injuring three persons
and causing minor damage. A previously unknown group calling itself the
Military Liberation Union claimed responsibility.
Israeli Shopping Mall Bombing, September 4, 1997:
Three suicide bombers of Hamas detonated bombs in the Ben Yehuda shopping
mall in Jerusalem, killing eight persons, including the bombers, and
wounding nearly 200 others. A dual,U.S./Israeli citizen was among the dead,
and seven U.S. citizens were wounded.
OAS Abductions, October 23, 1997:
In Colombia, ELN rebels kidnapped two foreign members of the Organization
of American States and a Colombian human rights official at a roadblock.
The ELN claimed that the kidnapping was intended "to show the international
community that the elections in Colombia are a farce."
Yemeni Kidnappings, October 30, 1997:
Al-Sha'if tribesmen kidnapped a U.S. businessman near Sanaa. The tribesmen
sought the release of two fellow tribesmen who were arrested on smuggling
charges and several public works projects they claim the government promised
them. They released the hostage on November 27.
Murder of U.S. Businessmen in Pakistan, November 12, 1997:
Two unidentified gunmen shot to death four U.S. auditors from Union Texas
Petroleum Corporation and their Pakistani driver after they drove away from
the Sheraton Hotel in Karachi. The Islami Inqilabi Council, or Islamic
Revolutionary Council, claimed responsibility in a call to the U.S. Consulate
in Karachi. In a letter to Pakistani newspapers, the Aimal Khufia Action
Committee also claimed responsibility.
Tourist Killings in Egypt, November 17, 1997:
Al-Gama'at al-Islamiyya (IG) gunmen shot and killed 58 tourists and four
Egyptians and wounded 26 others at the Hatshepsut Temple in the Valley of
the Kings near Luxor. Thirty-four Swiss, eight Japanese, five Germans, four
Britons, one French, one Colombian, a dual Bulgarian/British citizen, and
four unidentified persons were among the dead. Twelve Swiss, two Japanese,
two Germans, one French, and nine Egyptians were among the wounded.
UN Observer Abductions, February 19, 1998:
Armed supporters of late Georgian President Zviad Gamsakhurdia abducted
four UN military observers from Sweden, Uruguay, and the Czech Republic.
FARC Abduction, March 21-23, 1998:
FARC rebels kidnapped a U.S. citizen in Sabaneta, Colombia. FARC members
also killed three persons, wounded 14, and kidnapped at least 27 others
at a roadblock near Bogota. Four U.S. citizens and one Italian were among
those kidnapped, as well as the acting president of the National Electoral
Council and his wife.
Somali Hostage-takings, April 15, 1998:
Somali militiamen abducted nine Red Cross and Red Crescent workers at an
airstrip north of Mogadishu. The hostages included a U.S. citizen, a German,
a Belgian, a French, a Norwegian, two Swiss, and one Somali. The gunmen
were members of a subclan loyal to Ali Mahdi Mohammed, who controlled the
northern section of the capital.
IRA Bombing, Banbridge, August 1, 1998:
A 500-pound car bomb planted by the Real IRA exploded outside a shoe store
in Banbridge, North Ireland, injuring 35 persons and damaging at least 200
homes.
U.S. Embassy Bombings in East Africa, August 7, 1998:
A bomb exploded at the rear entrance of the U.S. embassy in Nairobi, Kenya,
killing 12 U.S. citizens, 32 Foreign Service Nationals, and 247 Kenyan
citizens. About 5,000 Kenyans, six U.S. citizens, and 13 FSNs were injured.
The U.S. embassy building sustained extensive structural damage. Almost
simultaneously, a bomb detonated outside the U.S. embassy in Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania, killing seven FSNs and three Tanzanian citizens, and injuring
one U.S. citizen and 76 Tanzanians. The explosion caused major structural
damage to the U.S. embassy facility. The U.S. Government held Usama Bin
Ladin responsible.
IRA Bombing, Omagh, August 15, 1998:
A 500-pound car bomb planted by the Real IRA exploded outside a local
courthouse in the central shopping district of Omagh, Northern Ireland,
killing 29 persons and injuring over 330.
Colombian Pipeline Bombing, October 18, 1998:
A National Liberation Army planted bomb exploded on the Ocensa pipeline
in Antioquia Department, killing approximately 71 persons and injuring
at least 100 others. The pipeline is jointly owned by the Colombia State
Oil Company Ecopetrol and a consortium, including U.S., French, British,
and Canadian companies.
Armed Kidnapping in Colombia, November 15, 1998:
Armed assailants followed a U.S. businessman and his family home in
Cundinamarca Department and kidnapped his 11-year-old son after stealing
money, jewelry, one automobile, and two cell phones. The kidnappers
demanded $1 million in ransom. On January 21, 1999, the kidnappers
released the boy.
Angolan Aircraft Downing, January 2, 1999:
A UN plane carrying one U.S. citizen, four Angolans, two Philippine
nationals, and one Namibian was shot down, according to a UN official.
No deaths or injuries were reported. Angolan authorities blamed the
attack on National Union for the Total Independence of Angola rebels.
UNITA officials denied shooting down the plane.
Ugandan Rebel Attack, February 14, 1999:
A pipe bomb exploded inside a bar, killing five persons and injuring
35 others. One Ethiopian and four Ugandan nationals died in the blast,
and one U.S. citizen working for USAID, two Swiss nationals, one
Pakistani, one Ethiopian, and 27 Ugandans were injured. Ugandan
authorities blamed the attack on the Allied Democratic Forces.
Greek Embassy Seizure, February 16, 1999:
Kurdish protesters stormed and occupied the Greek Embassy in Vienna,
taking the Greek Ambassador and six other persons hostage. Several
hours later the protesters released the hostages and left the embassy.
The attack followed the Turkish Government's announcement of the
successful capture of the Kurdistan Workers' Party leader Abdullah
Ocalan. Kurds also occupied Kenyan, Israeli, and other Greek
diplomatic facilities in France, Holland, Switzerland, Britain, and
Germany over the following days.
FARC Kidnappings, February 25, 1999:
FARC kidnapped three U.S. citizens working for the Hawaii-based
Pacific Cultural Conservancy International. On March 4, the bodies
of the three victims were found in Venezuela.
Hutu Abductions, March 1, 1999:
150 armed Hutu rebels attacked three tourist camps in Uganda, killed
four Ugandans, and abducted three U.S. citizens, six Britons, three
New Zealanders, two Danish citizens, one Australian, and one Canadian
national. Two of the U.S. citizens and six of the other hostages were
subsequently killed by their abductors.
ELN Hostage-taking, March 23, 1999:
Armed guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. citizen in Boyaca, Colombia. The
National Liberation Army claimed responsibility and demanded $400,000
ransom. On July 20, ELN rebels released the hostage unharmed following
a ransom payment of $48,000.
ELN Hostage-taking, May 30, 1999:
In Cali, Colombia, armed ELN militants attacked a church in the
neighborhood of Ciudad Jardin, kidnapping 160 persons, including six
U.S. citizens and one French national. The rebels released
approximately 80 persons, including three U.S. citizens, later that day.
Shell Platform Bombing, June 27, 1999: In Port Harcourt, Nigeria, armed
youths stormed a Shell oil platform, kidnapping one U.S. citizen, one
Nigerian national, and one Australian citizen, and causing undetermined
damage. A group calling itself "Enough is Enough in the Niger River"
claimed responsibility. Further seizures of oil facilities followed.
AFRC Kidnappings, August 4, 1999:
An Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) faction kidnapped 33 UN
representatives near Occra Hills, Sierra Leone. The hostages included
one U.S. citizen, five British soldiers, one Canadian citizen, one
representative from Ghana, one military officer from Russia, one
officer from Kyrgyzstan, one officer from Zambia, one officer from
Malaysia, a local Bishop, two UN officials, two local journalists,
and 16 Sierra Leonean nationals.
Burmese Embassy Seizure, October 1, 1999:
Burmese dissidents seized the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand,
taking 89 persons hostage, including one U.S. citizen.
PLA Kidnapping, December 23, 1999:
Colombian People's Liberation Army (PLA) forces kidnapped a U.S.
citizen in an unsuccessful ransoming effort.
Indian Airlines Airbus Hijacking, December 24, 1999:
Five militants hijacked a flight bound from Kathmandu to New Delhi
carrying 189 people. The plane and its passengers were released
unharmed on December 31.
Car bombing in Spain, January 27, 2000:
Police officials reported unidentified individuals set fire to a
Citroen car dealership in Iturreta, causing extensive damage to
the building and destroying 12 vehicles. The attack bore the hallmark
of the Basque Fatherland and Liberty.
RUF Attacks on UN Mission Personnel, May 1, 2000:
On May 1 in Makeni, Sierra Leone, Revolutionary United Front militants
kidnapped at least 20 members of the United Nations Assistance Mission
in Sierra Leone and surrounded and opened fire on a UNAMSIL facility,
according to press reports. The militants killed five UN soldiers in
the attack. RUF militants kidnapped 300 UNAMSIL peacekeepers
throughout the country, according to press reports. On May 15 in Foya,
Liberia, the kidnappers released 139 hostages. On May 28, on the
Liberia and Sierra Leone border, armed militants released unharmed the
last of the UN peacekeepers. In Freetown, according to press reports,
armed militants ambushed two military vehicles carrying four journalists.
A Spaniard and one U.S. citizen were killed in a May 25 carnbombing in
Freetown for which the RUF was probably responsible. Suspected RUF rebels
also kidnapped 21 Indian UN peacekeepers in Freetown on June 6. Additional
attacks by RUF on foreign personnel followed.
Diplomatic Assassination in Greece, June 8, 2000:
In Athens, Greece, two unidentified gunmen killed British Defense Attache
Stephen Saunders in an ambush. The Revolutionary Organization 17 November
claimed responsibility.
ELN Kidnpapping, June 27, 2000:
In Bogota, Colombia, ELN militants kidnapped a 5-year-old U.S. citizen
and his Colombian mother, demanding an undisclosed ransom.
Kidnappings in Kyrgyzstan, August 12, 2000:
In the Kara-Su Valley, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan took four U.S.
citizens hostage. The Americans escaped on August 12.
Church Bombing in Tajikistan, October 1, 2000:
Unidentified militants detonated two bombs in a Christian church in
Dushanbe, killing seven persons and injuring 70 others. The church was
founded by a Korean-born U.S. citizen, and most of those killed and
wounded were Korean. No one claimed responsibility.
Helicopter Hijacking, October 12, 2000:
In Sucumbios Province, Ecuador, a group of armed kidnappers led by
former members of defunct Colombian terrorist organization the
Popular Liberation Army, took hostage 10 employees of Spanish energy
consortium REPSOL. Those kidnapped included five U.S. citizens, one
Argentine, one Chilean, one New Zealander, and two French pilots who
escaped 4 days later. On January 30, 2001, the kidnappers murdered
American hostage Ronald Sander. The remaining hostages were released
on February 23 following the payment of $13 million in ransom by the
oil companies.
Attack on U.S.S. Cole, October 12, 2000: In Aden, Yemen, a small dingy
carrying explosives rammed the destroyer U.S.S. Cole, killing 17 sailors
and injuring 39 others. Supporters of Usama Bin Ladin were suspected.
Manila Bombing, December 30, 2000:
A bomb exploded in a plaza across the street from the U.S. embassy in
Manila, injuring nine persons. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front was
likely responsible.
Srinagar Airport Attack, January 17, 2001:
In India, six members of the Lashkar-e-Tayyba militant group were killed
when they attempted to seize a local airport.
BBC Studios Bombing, March 4, 2001:
A car bomb exploded at midnight outside of the British Broadcasting
Corporation's main production studios in London.
ETA Bombing, March 9, 2001:
Two policemen were killed by the explosion of a car bomb in Hernani,
Spain.
Bus Stop Bombing, April 22, 2001:
A member of Hamas detonated a bomb he was carrying near a bus stop in
Kfar Siva, Israel, killing one person and injuring 60.
Tel-Aviv Nightclub Bombing, June 1, 2001:
Hamas claimed responsibility for the bombing of a popular Israeli
nightclub that caused over 140 casualties.
Hamas Restaurant Bombing, August 9, 2001:
A Hamas-planted bomb detonated in a Jeruselum pizza restaurant,
killing 15 people and wounding more than 90.
1961-1996
2001
2002
2003
|
All Material © 2001-2009
Intellectual Property
Charles E. Geck III
Founder/Owner/Publisher
GlobalSpecialOperations.com (TM)
All Rights Reserved
|
perations
