Al Qaeda

Terrorist network established by Osama bin Laden in the early 1980s, which seeks to rid the holy lands of infidels. Experts say that today's al Qaeda is a loose-knit network of largely autonomous cells in different countries. The terrorist movement has been particularly active in Iraq for many years.

Al Shabaab

A radical Islamic group with ties to the al-Qaeda network which is fighting to overthrow the Somalian government and create an Islamic state in the Horn of Africa. Until 2009, the group fought against Ethiopian troops stationed in the country during the Somalian civil war. It is now fighting the Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia, which has the backing of the West and the African Union. Al Shabaab controls large parts of southern Somalia.

Fatwa

Islamic legal opinion issued by Islamic scholars on many aspects of life, religion, war and politics. Because of the decentralized organization of Islam, some fatwas are more liberal than others. Different fatwas offer different views on the acceptable treatment of those of other faiths. Following the terrorist attacks in London on 7 July 2005, the city's Sunni Council said Islam does not support any kind of terrorist attack.

Hamas

Is an abbreviation for "Harakat Al Muqawama Al Islamia," meaning "Islamic resistance movement." Founded in 1987 as an offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas maintains an uncompromisingly anti-Israel stance and considers the entire state of Israel to be "occupied territory." The group's first attack on Israel was in 1989 when it abducted and killed two Israeli soldiers. Hamas has an expansive network of charity workers in the Palestinian territories. In 2006, Hamas won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council elections.

Hezbollah

Otherwise known as God's Party, the paramilitary group Hezbollah was formed in Lebanon in the '80s in response to the Israeli invasion. Many states, including the US, view Hezbollah, which is partly funded by Iran and Syria, as a terrorist organization. It is one of two major political parties representing Shiite Muslims in Lebanon, and has 14 of a total 128 parliamentary seats.

Guantanamo

US marine base on a 20 km (12 mile) long bay in southeastern Cuba. America assumed territorial control over the area under the 1903 Cuban-American Treaty. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a prison camp was set up there for suspected al-Qaeda members and Taliban fighters. As so-called enemy combatants, they were not granted the same rights as prisoners of war. Human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized the conditions in Guantanamo. More than 500 prisoners have been released or transferred to other prisons around the world. Only a handful of inmates have appeared before a military tribunal.

War against terror

An expression coined by former US President George W. Bush, which incorporates the different military, secret service, diplomatic and economic measures used by the US and its allies to fight Islamic terrorist organizations and their supporters. The war was launched in Afghanistan in 2001.

Mohammed Atta

Islamic terrorist. Born in Egypt, Atta is believed to be one of five men who hijacked the first plane that flew into the World Trade Center on September 11. He studied town planning in Hamburg between 1992-1999.

Mullah Omar

Co-founder and spiritual leader of the Taliban. Until the invasion of allied troops in Afghanistan in 2001, he was the de facto head of state of the ultra-religious Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Omar, who has just one eye, came to America's attention because of his alliance with Osama bin Laden. He has been on the run for years.

Military tribunal

Originally a court for members of the military and prisoners of war outside civilian jurisdiction. Former US President George W. Bush sanctioned such courts for the trial of so-called enemy combatants in the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. The procedures are only partially public, with no civilian witnesses and no court of appeal.

Osama bin Laden

Founder and leader of al Qaeda. Bin Laden planned the September 11 terrorist attacks. On May 2, 2011 the Saudi-born terrorist, who became stateless in 1994, was tracked down and killed by US navy seals operating on the orders of President Barack Obama.

Patriot Act

Brought into force by former US President George W. Bush in October 2001, the Patriot Act reduced police restrictions to search civilian data, eased restrictions on the collection of foreign intelligence and facilitated the detention and deportation of suspected terrorists. The government justified the act as a defense measure, but human rights groups have warned of a surveillance state. The laws frequently have to be checked and amended by Congress.

Taliban

A group formed in Afghanistan in 1994 which recruits from the central Asian Pashtun people. Originally formed to fight criminal groups from Kandahar province, the Taliban rose to become the leading political force in Afghanistan in the second half of the 90s under the leadership of Mullah Omar. The group represents fundamentalist and anti-Western views. The Taliban was removed from power by the military intervention of the US and its allies at the end of 2001.

Tora Bora

Natural complex of caves in eastern Afghanistan not far from the border with Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden is believed to have turned the caves into a hiding place for al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters. In December 2001, Tora Bora was the scene of several days of fighting between US special forces and armed militants.

Waziristan

Impassable mountain region in north-west Pakistan to which Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters fled following their expulsion from neighboring Afghanistan. In 2009, the Pakistani military launched a massive offensive against the Taliban in Waziristan. Islamic fundamentalist fighters are still thought to be hiding there.

Waterboarding

A torture method in which a cloth is placed on the victim's face and water is continually poured over it to cause the sensation of drowning. During the last Bush administration, waterboarding was used by members of the CIA and other members of American government authorities during interrogations of suspected terrorists.

Zarqawi

Abu Musa al Zarqawi was an Islamic extremist and suspected leader of al Qaeda in Iraq. Until his death on June 7, 2006, the Jordanian citizen was hunted by Interpol the world over. The US government was offering $25 million (18 million euros) for information leading to his capture.

Author: Daniel Scheschkewitz / tkw
Editors: Jennifer Abramsohn/Rob Mudge