Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations
Abu Nidal Organization
Designation Status (as of October 12, 2026)
| US State Dept FTO | Delisted Abu Nidal Organization (ANO), removed June 1, 2017 (official list) |
|---|---|
| US Treasury OFAC SDN (SDGT) | Not listed official list |
| UK Proscribed | Listed Abu Nidal Organisation (ANO) since March 2001 |
| EU Terrorist Lists | Listed Abu Nidal Organisation since June 18, 2002 |
| Canada Listed Entities | Listed Abu Nidal Organization (ANO) since February 12, 2003 |
| Australia Listed | Not listed official list |
Profile written 2014 The profile below is the original Jihad Intel text and has not been updated. Designation status above is current.
Designated as terrorist by: Canada, United Kingdom, United States
Base of operations: Lebanon
Background: Council on Foreign Relations
Background: U.S. Department of State
The Abu Nidal Organization (ANO) was founded in 1974 by Sabri al-Banna, a.k.a. Abu Nidal ("Father of the Struggle"), after splitting from the PLO, which he accused of selling out in the conflict with Israel. It has no interest in participating in the Middle East peace process and seeks to eliminate the Jewish state. The ANO's most recognized terrorist incidents include attacks on the Rome and Vienna airports in 1985, the 1986 Neve Shalom Synagogue assault in Istanbul, and the 1986 hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi. It has also been suspected of several high-profile assassinations of PLO and Jordanian officials. Though around 900 persons have been killed or injured by the group in 20 different countries, it has not staged a major attack on Western targets since the 1980s. The leadership of the organization has been relatively unclear following Abu Nidal's 2002 death in Iraq. Its strength has dwindled, but the ANO is believed to retain a presence in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
