Welcome
The Mapping Militants Project identifies patterns in the evolution of militant organizations in specified conflict theatres and provides representations of changing relationships among groups. Relationships are traced in interactive timeline-diagrams or “maps,” which provide visual representations of how inter-group relationships such as rivalries and alliances change over time. The maps are linked to group profiles, which compile open-source news and data on militant organizations to provide a comprehensive, fully cited report on each group. Click on the name of a map on the list below to display a list of profiles associated with that map. Click on the name of the profile for the full report. Scroll down further to the Maps section to link to the interactive visual “maps” or diagrams of inter-group relationships.
For more information about the project or to contact us, see our About page. Comments are most welcome.
Profiles
View an alphabetical list of all militant organization profiles included in the Mapping Militants Project.
Learn About MMP
Learn about the Mapping Militants Project, and access answers to frequently asked questions.
Contact
Send a message to the Mapping Militants team.
Profiles
For an alphabetical list of all MMP profiles see our Profiles page. For information on the content of the profiles see our About page. Each profile follows the same standard format and provides citations to sources for all references. Many profiles also contain a link to a downloadable PDF version of the profile.
- Aleppo
- Colombia
- Global Al Qaeda
- Global Islamic State
- Iraq
- Italy
- North Africa
- North Caucasus
- Northern Ireland
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
Aleppo
Aleppo
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Ahrar al-Sham | 2011 | Active |
| Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (Formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) | 2011 | Active |
| Hezbollah | 1983 | Active |
| Kata'ib Hezbollah | 2007 | Active |
| Liwa al-Tawhid | 2012 | 2014 |
| The Islamic State | 2002 | Active |
Colombia
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| April 19 Movement | 1974 | 1989 |
| Bandas Criminales | 2006 | Active |
| National Liberation Army (Colombia) | 1964 | Active |
| Popular Liberation Army | 1967 | 1991 |
| Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army | 1964 | Active |
| United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia | 1997 | 2006 |
Global Al Qaeda
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Sayyaf Group | 1991 | Active |
| Al Qaeda | 1988 | Active |
| Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula | 2009 | Active |
| Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent | 2014 | Active |
| Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb | 1998 | Active |
| Al Qaeda in Yemen | 2000 | 2009 |
| Al Qaeda Kurdish Battalions | 2007 | Active |
| Al Shabaab | 2006 | Active |
| Ansar al-Islam | 2001 | 2014 |
| Boko Haram | 2002 | Active |
| Egyptian Islamic Jihad | 1979 | 1998 |
| Haqqani Network | 1970 | Active |
| Harakat-ul-Mujahedeen | 1985 | Active |
| Harkat-ul-Jihadi al-Islami | 1984 | Active |
| Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (Formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) | 2011 | Active |
| Islamic Army in Iraq | 2003 | Active |
| Jaish-e-Mohammed | 2000 | Active |
| Jemaah Islamiyah | 1993 | Active |
| Lashkar-e-Jhangvi | 1995 | Active |
| Lashkar-e-Taiba | 1990 | Active |
| Lashkar-e-Zil | 2002 | Active |
| Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group | 1998 | Active |
| Mujahideen Army | 2004 | Active |
| Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan | 2007 | Active |
| The Islamic State | 2002 | Active |
| The Taliban | 1994 | Active |
| The Those Who Sign in Blood Brigade | 2012 | 2013 |
Global Islamic State
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Sayyaf Group | 1991 | Active |
| Al Qaeda | 1988 | Active |
| Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula | 2009 | Active |
| Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb | 1998 | Active |
| Ansar al-Islam | 2001 | 2014 |
| Ansar al-Shariah (Tunisia) | 2011 | Active |
| Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters | 2010 | Active |
| Boko Haram | 2002 | Active |
| Caucasus Emirate | 2007 | Active |
| Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (Formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) | 2011 | Active |
| Hezbollah | 1983 | Active |
| Jemaah Islamiyah | 1993 | Active |
| Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan | 2007 | Active |
| The Islamic State | 2002 | Active |
| The Islamic State - Sinai Province | 2011 | Active |
| The Taliban | 1994 | Active |
Iraq
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s Revolution Brigades | 2003 | Active |
| Al Qaeda | 1988 | Active |
| Al Qaeda Kurdish Battalions | 2007 | Active |
| Al-Tawhid Islamic Front | 2001 | 2001 |
| Ansar al-Islam | 2001 | 2014 |
| Ansar al-Sunna Shariah | 2007 | Active |
| Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq | 2006 | Active |
| Badr Organization of Reconstruction and Development | 2012 | Active |
| Hamas Iraq | 2007 | Active |
| Hezbollah | 1983 | Active |
| Islamic Army in Iraq | 2003 | Active |
| Islamic Movement of Kurdistan | 1987 | Active |
| Jaysh Rijal al-Tariqa al-Naqshbandia (JRTN) | 2006 | Active |
| Kata'ib Hezbollah | 2007 | Active |
| Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada | 2013 | Active |
| Mahdi Army | 2003 | Active |
| Mujahideen Army | 2004 | Active |
| Second Soran Unit | 1998 | 2001 |
| Shariah Committee of Ansar al-Sunnah | 2007 | Likely inactive |
| The Islamic State | 2002 | Active |
Italy
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Armed Proletarian Nuclei | 1974 | 1978 |
| Armed Revolutionary Nuclei | 1977 | 1988 |
| New Order | 1953 | 1978 |
| October 22 Circle | 1969 | 1971 |
| Partisan Action Groups | 1969 | 1972 |
| Prima Linea | 1976 | 1983 |
| Red Brigades | 1970 | 1984 |
| Red Brigades Fighting Communist Party | 1981 | 1988 |
| Red Brigades Guerrilla Party | 1981 | 1982 |
| Red Brigades Walter Alasia | 1980 | 1983 |
North Africa
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Al Qaeda | 1988 | Active |
| Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb | 1998 | Active |
| Ansar al-Shariah (Libya) | 2011 | Active |
| Ansar al-Shariah (Tunisia) | 2011 | Active |
| Ansar Dine | 2011 | Active |
| Libyan Islamic Fighting Group | 1995 | 2010 |
| Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group | 1998 | Active |
| Mouvement pour l’Unification et le Jihad en Afrique de l’Ouest (MUJAO) | 2011 | 2013 |
| The Islamic State | 2002 | Active |
| The Those Who Sign in Blood Brigade | 2012 | 2013 |
North Caucasus
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Al Qaeda | 1988 | Active |
| Caucasus Emirate | 2007 | Active |
| Chechen Republic of Ichkeria | 1991 | 2007 |
| International Islamic Peacekeeping Brigade | 1998 | 2003 |
| Riyadus-Salikhin Reconnaissance and Sabotage Brigade | 1999 | 2009 |
| Special Purpose Islamic Regiment | 1996 | 2003 |
Northern Ireland
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Official Irish Republican Army | 1969 | 2010 |
Pakistan
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Al Akhtar Trust | 2000 | Active |
| Al Qaeda | 1988 | Active |
| Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent | 2014 | Active |
| Al Rashid Trust | 1996 | 2001 |
| Asian Tigers | 2010 | Active |
| Balochistan Liberation Army | 2000 | Active |
| Balochistan Liberation Front | 1964 | Active |
| Balochistan Republican Army | 2006 | Active |
| Haqqani Network | 1970 | Active |
| Harakat-ul-Mujahedeen | 1985 | Active |
| Harkat-ul-Jihadi al-Islami | 1984 | Active |
| Islami-Jamiat-Taliba | 1947 | Active |
| Jaish-e-Mohammad | 2000 | Active |
| Jamaat-ul-Ahrar | 2014 | Active |
| Lashkar-e-Islam | 2004 | Active |
| Lashkar-e-Jhangvi | 1995 | Active |
| Lashkar-e-Taiba | 1990 | Active |
| Lashkar-e-Zil | 2002 | Active |
| Nazir Group | 2006 | Active |
| Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan | 1985 | Active |
| Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat Mohammadi | 1994 | Active |
| Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan | 2007 | Active |
| The Taliban | 1994 | Active |
| Zain Group | 2007 | Active |
Philippines
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Sayyaf Group | 1991 | Active |
| Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters | 2010 | Active |
| Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army | 1968 | Active |
| Moro Islamic Liberation Front | 1977 | Active |
| Moro National Liberation Front | 1972 | Active |
Somalia
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama | 1991 | Active |
| Al Ittihad Al Islamiya | 1984 | 1997 |
| Al Qaeda | 1988 | Active |
| Al Shabaab | 2006 | Active |
| Hizbul Islam | 2009 | 2013 |
| Islamic Courts Union | 2000 | 2007 |
| Ras Kamboni Brigade | 2008 | 2010 |
| Ras Kamboni Movement | 2010 | Active |
Sri Lanka
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Eelam Revolutionary Organization of Students | 1975 | 1990 |
| Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam | 1972 | 2009 |
| People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam | 1980 | 1987 |
| Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization | 1977 | 1987 |
Syria
| Name | Founded | Disbanded |
|---|---|---|
| Ahrar al-Sham | 2011 | Active |
| Al Qaeda | 1988 | Active |
| Ansar al-Sham | 2012 | 2017 |
| Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq | 2006 | Active |
| Badr Organization of Reconstruction and Development | 2012 | Active |
| Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (Formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) | 2011 | Active |
| Hezbollah | 1983 | Active |
| Jaysh al-Islam | 2013 | Active |
| Jund al-Aqsa | 2013 | 2016 |
| Kata'ib Hezbollah | 2007 | Active |
| Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada | 2013 | Active |
| Liwa al-Haqq | 2012 | 2014 |
| Liwa al-Tawhid | 2012 | 2014 |
| Suqour al-Sham | 2011 | 2015 |
| The Islamic State | 2002 | Active |
| The Southern Front | 2014 | Active |
Maps
The MMP research project presents interactive diagrams that “map” relationships among groups and show how these interactions change over time. At present, there are maps of conflicts in Syria (including a map of the Aleppo theatre), Iraq, North Africa/Sahel, Italy, North Caucasus, Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. In addition, a Global Islamic State map and Global Al Qaeda map chart their expanding international networks. For more information see our About page.
International
GLOBAL AL-QAEDA
This map displays the links between al-Qaeda and its affiliated militant organizations. The map seeks to visually display the complex nature of the relationships between al Qaeda and its affiliates, as well as its rival/opposition organizations.
GLOBAL ISLAMIC STATE
This map traces established relationships between the Islamic State and global militant groups. Currently, the map focuses on direct affiliates of the Islamic State and the parent organizations of these affiliates.
Middle East and Africa
ALEPPO
This map traces the relationships between militant groups operating in Syria's Aleppo governorate. It includes Kurdish, Shiite, Sunni, and secular groups and will be updated over the course of the Syrian conflict.
IRAQ
This map depicts the evolving relationships between militant organizations in Iraq from the early 1990s through 2015.
NORTH AFRICA
This map depicts significant militant groups in North Africa and their evolving relationships from the early 1990s onwards. The map mainly displays Islamist militant organizations and Al Qaeda and Islamic State-linked groups.
SOMALIA
This map shows militant organizations that operated in Somalia beginning in the 1980s through the present day.
SYRIA
This map traces the relationships between some major militant organizations operating in Syria from 2011 through summer 2014. Currently, the map focuses on Islamist organizations.
South and East Asia
PHILIPPINES
This map displays the relationships between the Communist/Socialist revolutionary groups and the Islamic revolutionary groups in the Philippines.
SRI LANKA
The following map depicts militant groups fighting for an independent homeland for Tamil Hindus in northeastern Sri Lanka. These groups have been operating since the mid-1960s. By the 1980s, there were at least 35 different Tamil militant groups active in
Central Asia
NORTH CAUCASUS
This map depicts terrorist organizations that operated in the North Caucasus from the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 to present-day.
PAKISTAN
The map of Pakistani militants includes those organizations designated by the United Nations Security Council Committee charged with maintaining the “Al-Qaida Sanctions List of Entities and other groups and undertakings associated with Al-Qaida,” pursuant
PAKISTAN -- ALL
This map shows militant groups operating in and out of Pakistan that fall in four categories: sectarian groups, Kashmir jihad groups, Al-Qaeda linked groups operating out of the tribal areas and Balochi groups.
Europe
ITALY
This map diagrams militant organizations that operated in Italy during the 1950s through the 1980s.
NORTHERN IRELAND
This map depicts militant groups operating in Northern Ireland starting in the mid-1960s up until 2006.
Latin America
COLOMBIA
The Colombia map shows temporal relations between militant groups operating from the mid 1960s to the present, primarily featuring leftist guerrilla groups and right wing militants.
Map images created using ggmap. D. Kahle and H. Wickham. ggmap: Spatial Visualization with ggplot2. The R Journal, 5(1), 144-161. http://journal.r-project.org/archive/2013-1/kahle-wickham.pdf