Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades

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The Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades (Arabic, katā'ib abu ‘ali mustafā) is the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in the Palestinian territories (the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem).

The Brigades are named after Abu Ali Mustafa, the PFLP's leader who was assassinated by Israel in August 2001. They have been active with attacks on both military and civilian Israeli targets during the al-Aqsa Intifada.

On the 16th of July 2007, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas requested of all Palestinian resistance groups to relinquish their weapons to the Palestinian Authority. Although several members of Fatah's armed wing Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades complied, the Abu Ali Mustafa brigades rejected this, stating that they will not cease their resistance until the Israelis unoccupy all parts of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

[edit] Attacks carried out by the Brigades

See also: List of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine suicide attacks

The PFLP's Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades has carried out attacks on both civilians and military targets during the Al-Aqsa Intifada. Some of these attacks are:

• The killing of Meir Lixenberg, councillor and head of security in four settlements, who was shot while travelling in his car in the West Bank on August 27, 2001. ^[1]

• The 17 October 2001 assassination of right-wing Israeli politician and Israeli Minister for Tourism Rehavam Zeevi, the only Israeli politician to have been assassinated in the al-Aqsa intifada.

• A suicide bombing in a pizzeria in Karnei Shomron in the West Bank, on February 16, 2002, killing three Israelis . ^[2]

• A suicide bombing in Ariel on March 7, 2002, which left wounded but no fatalities.

• A suicide bombing in a Netanya market in Israel, on May 19, 2002, killing three Israelis. This attack was also claimed by Hamas, but the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades have identified the perpetrator on their website as one of their members[3][4] ^[5]

• A suicide bombing in the bus station at Geha Junction in Petah Tikva on 25 December, 2003 which killed 4 Israelis. [6]

• A suicide bombing in Bikat Hayerden on May 22 , 2004 , which left no fatalities. [7]

• A suicide bombing in the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv on November 1, 2004 , which killed 3 Israelis. [8]