Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine -- General Command

Designated as terrorist by: Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, United States

Base of operations: Syria, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories

Background: START (University of Maryland)
Background: World Statesmen

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC) split from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in 1968 under the leadership of Ahmed Jibril, who desired less politicking and more attacking. One of its first assaults on Israel was the Avivim school bus massacre of 1970, carried out by terrorists who had entered from Lebanon. It was also linked to the bombing of Swissair Flight 330 that same year and has made a name for itself with its innovative incursions into Israel using hot-air balloons and gliders. Though the group joined Yasser Arafat's Palestine Liberation Organization in 1974, it later turned anti-PLO and worked against it with Syrian backing. More recently, the PFLP-GC has fought on the side of the Assad regime in the Syrian civil war.

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine -- General Command Emblem	Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine -- General Command Flag