Different Terrorist Groups Use The Same Methods

All terrorist organisations use violence, but violence is still a very broad term. For
example, world war two is definitely not the same as the assassination of John F.
Kennedy. Both were for political reasons, and big events in history, but they are of a
completely different nature. So what about terrorist groups? Are they all along the same
lines as each other, when it comes to tactics?
The PLO were an organisation who believed Palestine had the right to exist as a country,
and rule the land that unfairly belonged to, and still belongs to Israel. It had many
branches, and so had many levels of violence within itself. For example, the Black
September movement took hostage and killed 11 Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympic
Games in 1972. One of the most extreme offshoots, the PFLP, hijacked planes and took
them to Uganda where, all but Israelis were let free. This however, failed as Israeli forces
stormed the building in one of the most successful missions in history. A huge part of the
PLO was the intifada. This was very much the whole of Palestine fighting for the PLO.
In general, the PLO, threw everything they had, and with the offshoots, had a do
whatever it takes attitude. They eventually took part in the Oslo Accords- a peace deal.
The IRA was similar to the PLO in that they both were fighting for land. They wanted a
united Ireland, and the British to remove their control. It was predominantly a catholic
Northern-Irish association, and began because of discrimination of Catholics. One major
attack was the bombing in Brighton, which nearly killed the Prime Minister, Margaret
Thatcher. Another important event was not so violent, but just as influential. Bobby Sands
died of starvation after his hunger strike for the IRA. 10,000 attended his funeral. This
showed the public, was massively on their side. There were huge riots, which were very
similar to the intifada. It was the people joining the terrorists. Both showed that it was not
just one small extremist group, and a much bigger issue. They also took part in a peace
process- the Good Friday Agreement.
Al-Qaeda is more the odd one out. It fought against western ideology in Muslim states. It
didnt want land. Although Al-Qaeda was one organisation, it had support from the
Taliban, and other groups or people not affiliated with it, fought for the same causes. This
is in a similar way to the PLO, except they werent part of it. The most famous attack was
the hijacking of 4 aeroplanes- 9/11- and crashing them into the world trade centre towers,
and the pentagon. Another one was the truck bomb at the US Embassy in Nairobi in
1998. The US reacted swiftly and violently, and crushed the Afghanistan camps and
forces, but the leader- Osama bin Laden- escaped. Al-Qaeda took part in no peace
process, and is still active today.
The PLO situation was slightly leaning towards a war. Israel reacted violently and even
invaded Lebanon- the PLOs base. The PLO fought with all they had, they had a great
leader, they were more tactical tactical than the IRA. Although the IRA knew exactly
what they were doing, it mainly involved bombings. They didnt hijack aeroplanes, or
take hostages like the PLO; it was just simple warfare. Al-Qaeda were the most tactical,

and importantly, the most committed. They used suicide bombers, which not only showed
devotion, but were also very effective. They targeted civilians only. One of the main
differences is that they were based internationally. This gave them strength, as the enemy
couldnt target them as easily. I think that terrorist groups all share a lot of similarities.
However, I think it is the small differences that make the biggest impact. For example,
suicide bombers were much more effective, and hunger strikes increased popularity. We
can see they are different through the way they were fought. Britain starved the IRA of
popularity; Israel attacked with even more force. Different methods, are dealt with in
different ways, and this is why I believe terrorists use different methods.