create between themselves and the region in which they operate. Economic interdependency in particular is what makes these forces of violence and hate so difficult to combat. They become strengthened by the spoils and profits gained from acts of terrorism. There i great power in dirty money. Much of what sustains the reign of terror is the huge profits their crimes rake in through extortion, assassination, kidnapping, human trafficking, counterfeiting and drug trade. This in many ways makes terrorism a big business. Multimillion dollar donations to terrorist groups by other terrorists organizations, sympathizing political parties and bank robberies help to sustain terrorism.
With that said, it becomes a point of interest to learn about the wealthiest seven terrorist organizations.
The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, more commonly known as ISIS —which was once part of Al-Qaeda —has been dubbed the richest terrorist group at present. ISiS is worth an estimated S2billion. Much of this money comes from looted weapons and bank robberies. Having captured much of the oil reserves of Syria and sections of Iraq, and some priceless artifacts from archaeological sites, ISiS has secured an enormous wealth from crime. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is dubbed the second richest terrorist organization with annual revenue of over $450 million. It originated as a revolutionary group fighting for Irish Independence from Britain. They are considered a terrorist group due to countless bombings and assassinations attributed to them during the revolt against imposed Bsh rule in Ireland. They now own numerous businesses throughout the1nited Kingdom and allegedly use profits to fuel their criminal acts. The IRA further builds significant revenue through drugs, tax fraud, robberies, smuggling and counterfeiting. (www.theguardian.com/usaterrorism).
The Taliban of Afghanistan is reported to be the third wealthiest terrorist organization with an estimated annual revenue over $400million. Much of its revenue comes from a tightly controlled drug (opium) trade, human trafficking, extortion, as well as large donations from foreign organizations who support its goal for an The Lashkar-e-Tayyiba is the sixth richest terrorist organization. It was founded in the 1990s in Pakistan but also wreaks havoc in India. They call themselves the “Army of the Righteous” and seek public approval by supporting charitable organizations, hospitals and schools. Their annual revenue is estimated to be around 5100 million, much of which is funded through donations from affiliate parties.
The seventh richest terrorist organization is the Nigerian terrorist group, Boko Haram. They aim to overthrow the Nigerian government and establish an Islamist caliphate. Boko Haram receives an annual revenue of over 570 million. It is unclear just how much money they make from their numerous kidnappings, ransoms, bank robberies and donations from other terrorist organizations, such as al-Qaeda. Boko Haram gained more international publicity with the bombing of the United Nations building and Police Force headquarters in Abuja, and the abduction of over 200 Chibok school girls.
Islamic state. The fourth richest terrorist group is the AI-Qaeda, founded by Osama bin Laden, who was himself a multimillionaire.
Al-Qaeda receives about $400million a year. Al-Qaeda has a widespread network of terrorist group allies and uses suicide bombings as a favorite tactic of destruction. AI-Qaedas most infamous attack is the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks of the World Trade Centre in New York in which a total of 2, 996 people died, including 227 civilian and 19 hijackers aboard four planes hijacked. (www.dailvstar.co.uk.new.
The Marxist Guerrilla group, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) is the fifth richest terrorist organization. FARC has estimated annual revenue of S350 million. It started operation in the 1 960s and has carried out numerous assassinations, kidnappings and bombings in the name of anti-imperialism. FARC is also involved in extortion and ransom collections and produces and sells vast quantities of illegal drugs. (www.ibtimes.couk.society.politics).
The Lashkar-e-Tayyiba is the sixth richest terrorist organization. It was founded in the 1 990s in Pakistan but also wreaks havoc in India. They call themselves the “Army of the Righteous” and seek public approval by supporting charitable organizations, hospitals and schools. Their annual revenue is estimated to be around $100 million, much of which is funded through donations from affiliate parties.
The seventh richest terrorist organization is the Nigerian terrorist group, Boko Hararn. They aim to overthrow the Nigerian government and establish an Islarnist caliphate. Boko Haram receives an annual revenue of over $70 million. It is unclear just how much money they make from their numerous kidnappings, ransoms, bank robberies and donations from other terrorist organizations, such as al-Qaeda, Boko Haram gained more international publicity with the bombing of the United Nations building and Police Force headquarters in Abuja, and the abduction of over 200 Chibok school girls.
State sponsored terrorist organizations seem to have been left out of the list of richest terrorist groups. This appears so because Forbes Israel (2011) ranks Hamas of Palestine as the second richest terror organization in the world with S1billion annual income, coming next to the Islamic State (ISIS). Since its takeover of political power in Gaza Strip, Hamas has transformed itself from a small terrorist organization that relied on charity and donations into a massive conglomerate, and until the advent of ISIS a year ago, Hamas was the richest terrorist organization in the world. They are involved in land deals, purchase of luxury villas and trading in black market fuel from Egypt. but they profit mainly from the smuggling business through tunnels from Sinai into Gaza. State sponsorship is cyncial to the survival of some terror groups. Reports say that Qatar supports the Hamas organization. while Iran bankrofls Hezbollah — another terror organization based in Lebanon. The funds are channeled through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and charities. (www.unitedwithisrael. ora/forbes).
