Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

Morocco. The group emerged in the 1990s and was composed of Moroccan recruits who trained
in armed camps in Afghanistan, including some who fought in the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
Former GICM members interact with other North African extremists, particularly in Europe.
Activities: GICM members were believed to be among those responsible for the 2004 Madrid
train bombings, which killed 191 people. GICM members were also implicated in the
recruitment network for Iraq, and at least one GICM member carried out a suicide attack against
Coalition Forces in Iraq. According to open source reports, GICM individuals are believed to
have participated in the 2003 Casablanca attacks. However, the group has largely been inactive
since these attacks, and has not claimed responsibility for or had attacks attributed to them since
the Madrid train bombings in 2004.
Strength: Much of GICM’s leadership in Morocco and Europe has been killed, imprisoned, or is
awaiting trial. In 2003, alleged leader Mohamed al-Guerbouzi was convicted in absentia by the
Moroccan government for his role in the Casablanca attacks but remains free in exile in London.
Location/Area of Operation: Morocco, Western Europe, and Afghanistan.
Funding and External Aid: In the past, GICM has been involved in narcotics trafficking in
North Africa and Europe to fund its operations.
aka ELN; Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional
NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY
Description: The National Liberation Army (ELN) was designated as a Foreign Terrorist
Organization on October 8, 1997. The ELN is a Colombian Marxist-Leninist group formed in
1964. It is primarily rural-based, though it also has several urban units. The ELN remains
focused on attacking economic infrastructure, in particular oil and gas pipelines and electricity
pylons, and extorting foreign and local companies.
Activities: The ELN engages in kidnappings, hijackings, bombings, drug trafficking, and
extortion activities. The group also uses intimidation of judges, prosecutors and witnesses and
has been involved in the murder of teachers and trade unionists. Historically, the ELN has been
one of the most prolific users of anti-personnel mines in Colombia. In recent years, the ELN has
launched joint attacks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Colombia’s
largest terrorist organization.
In September 2012, an Ecuadorian hostage escaped from the ELN after two years of captivity.
He reported that ELN guerrillas assassinated his father on January 31, after he paid the ransom
the group had requested for the release of his son. In November, an ELN bomb killed one person
and injured three in El Tarra, Catatumbo, near the Venezuelan border. ELN attacks on
Colombia’s oil and gas industry continued in 2012, resulting in major economic damage, and
numerous deaths and kidnappings. After demanding a nearly $300,000 ransom, the ELN released
two kidnapped oil workers after 12 days of captivity in Arauca Department in December. The
ELN released another two oil workers within 48 hours.
Strength: Approximately 2,000 armed combatants and an unknown number of active supporters.
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