Middle East Information Resource
Political Entities - al-Gama`a al-Islamiyya
Al-Gama`a al-Islamiyya is Egypt`s largest militant group. It is also known as the Islamic Group (IG). It has been active since the late 1970`s and appears to be loosely organized. It has an external wing with supporters in several countries worldwide. The group issued a cease-fire in March 1999. Unofficially, the group split in two factions: one supports the cease-fire led by Mustafa Hamza; and one is led by Rifa`i Taha Musa, which calls for a return to armed operations. In early 2001, Taha Musa published a book, in which he attempted to justify terrorist attacks that would cause mass casualties. Musa disappeared several months thereafter, and there are conflicting reports as to his current whereabouts.
Its spiritual leader, Shaykh Umar Abd al-Rahman was sentenced to life in prison in January 1996 for his involvement in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. After he was incarcerated in the United States, he rescinded his support for the cease-fire in June 2000. The Gama`a al-Islamiyya has not conducted an attack inside Egypt since August 1998. A senior member signed Osama Bin Ladin`s fatwa in February 1998, calling for attacks against the US. The primary goal of al-Gama`a al-Islamiyya is to overthrow the Egyptian Government and replace it with an Islamic state. However, disaffected members, such as those potentially inspired by Taha Musa or Abd al-Rahman, seem to be interested in carrying out attacks against US and Israeli interests.
The group has conducted armed attacks against Egyptian security and other government officials, Coptic Christians, and Egyptian opponents of Islamic extremism before the cease-fire. From 1993 until the cease-fire, al-Gama`a launched attacks on tourists in Egypt, most notably the attack in November 1997 at Luxor that killed 58 foreign tourists. It also claimed responsibility for the attempt in June 1995 to assassinate Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Gama`a has not specifically attacked a US citizen or facility but has threatened US interests.
It operates mainly in the al-Minya, Asyu`t, Qina, and Sohaj Governorates of southern Egypt. It also appears to have support in Cairo, Alexandria, and other urban locations, particularly among unemployed graduates and students. It has a worldwide presence, including the United Kingdom, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Austria. At its peak the IG probably commanded several thousand hard-core members and a like number of sympathizers. The 1999 cease-fire and security crackdowns following the attack in Luxor in 1997, and more recently security efforts following September 11, probably have resulted in a decrease in the group`s numbers. The Egyptian Government believes that Iran, Bin Ladin, and Afghan militant groups have supported the organization. It may also obtain some revenues from various Islamic nongovernmental organizations.