The ‘Jihadi group' is a term applied to some political Islamist groups that adopt the path of ‘jihad' for change. Jihadi groups manifested themselves at the end of the eighties. They emerged as a distinctive, intellectual current in the era of Anwar Sadat. They claimed to follow early Muslim teachings and that jihad was one of its pillars. The groups are against secular regimes which they see as an occupying enemy, that don't follow Islamic law and use civil law, which they see as unjust and oppressive. According to Jihadi philosophy, groups or individuals must take up arms against existing governments in the Islamic world, or against foreign enemies. The Venezuelan revolutionary, Carlos, described the philosophy as that of a revolutionary Islam. The groups are divided into main groups and sub-groups stemming from the womb of other groups. The most important of the main groups are: 1. Islamic Group in Egypt: The Islamic Group of Egypt is one of the most important groups that originated in Egypt in the early seventies of the 20th century. It calls for ‘Jihad' to establish an ‘Islamic state' and the restoration of the ‘Islamic caliphate'. It differs from other Jihadi groups in organisational structure, advocacy approach, actions, ideas, and beliefs. Its main base is in Upper Egypt, specifically in Assiut, Minya, and Sohag. The group fought against the symbols of power in Egypt and security forces throughout the eighties and nineties. A series of assaults by the security forces, led to the arrest of most of its members and the shutting down of its bases. The group currently doesn't have a significant presence. Its most important members are Omar Abdel Rahman, Ayman Zawahiri, Abbud Al-Zumar, and Khaled Islambouli. 2. Al-Qaeda or Al-Qaeda organisation or Jihad Al-Qaeda: Al-Qaeda is a multinational, radical, Sunni Islamist group, founded between August 1988 and late 1989 by Osama Bin Laden, calling for jihad worldwide. It is currently and mainly based in Yemen, especially in the tribal areas and southern regions of the Arabian Peninsula. Al-Qaeda has attacked civilian and military targets in various countries. Its most notable attacks were those of September 11, 2001, which were followed by the U.S. government's declaration of ‘War on terror.' Al-Qaeda aims to end foreign influence in the Islamic countries and establish a new Islamic caliphate. 3. Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL): ISIL or ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, as it is also often called) is an armed organisation that is an umbrella for a number of armed groups. It was founded on October 15, 2006 in Iraq under the name of "Islamic State of Iraq". Its name was later changed by its emir, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, on April 9, 2013 to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. 4. Al-Qaeda in Morocco: Al-Qaeda in Morocco is the oldest, most experienced, and most well-armed organisation in the region. It has established strong relations with tribal elders there. It is led by Abu Musab Abdul Wadud also known as ‘Abdel Malek Droukdel,' who has good relations with the residents of the area, both the Tuaregs and the Arabs. The organisation aims to ‘Liberate Islamic Morocco from the Western presence, specifically U.S. and French influence, in addition to loyalists of the infidel regime, and protect the region from foreign ambitions, as well as to establish a powerful state under Islamic law.' 5. Islamic Youth Movement or Youth Party or jihadi Youth Movement: The Islamic Youth Movement is an active, armed movement in Somalia, founded in early 2004. It was the military arm of the "Islamic Courts Union" which was broken up by the interim Somali government's forces. It then left the "Courts" to join what is known as "The Somali opposition alliance." The exact number of its members isn't known, except that when the Islamic Courts Union collapsed it had an estimated 3,000 to 7,000 members. It is believed that the movement's members receive training in Eritrea for six weeks, during which they acquire guerrilla warfare skills and learn how to make bombs. The movement generates funds for its activities through piracy off the coast of Somalia and recruits foreign Muslim fighters.
