15 May Organization
15 May Organization
From: Patterns of Global Terrorism.
United States Department of State Publication 10321
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Description
Formed in 1979 from remnants of Wadi Haddad's Popular Front for
the Liberation of Palestine-Special Operations Group (PFLP-
SOG). Led by Muhammad al-Umari, who is known throughout
Palestinian circles as Abu Ibrahim or the bomb man. Group was
never part of PLO. Reportedly disbanded in the mid-1980s when
several key members joined Colonel Hawari's Special Operations
Group of Fatah.
Activities
Claimed responsibility for several bombings in the early-to-middle
1980s, including hotel bombing in London (1980), El Al's Rome
and Istanbul offices (1981), and Israeli Embassies in Athens and
Vienna (1981). Anti-US attacks include an attempted bombing of a
Pan Am airliner in Rio de Janeiro and a bombing on board a Pan
Am flight from Tokyo to Honolulu in August 1982. (The accused
bomber in this last attack, Mohammed Rashid, is currently awaiting
trial in the United States for the bombing, which killed a Japanese
teenager.)
Strength
50 to 60 in early 1980s.
Location/Area of Operation
Baghdad until 1984. Before disbanding, operated in Middle East,
Europe, and East Asia. Abu Ibrahim is reportedly in Iraq.
External Aid
Probably received logistic and financial support from Iraq until 1984.
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