Counterterrorism Efforts Against the Abu Nidal Organization (ANO) By: Aaron Barden
Overview Sanctions on State Sponsors New Policies in Europe Use of Covert Ops
Sanctions on State Sponsors Libya UN sanctions after bombing of Pan Am 103 in 1988 US executive order from President Reagan Syria Heavy sanctions by international community Kept Syria away from being allied with US
New Policies in Europe Poland Action plan to improve cooperation in intelligence gathering United Kingdom New law allowing police to arrest members and seize property of certain terrorist groups
Use of Covert Ops US CTC used sleeper cells to fuel Nidal’s paranoia The Abu Nidal Handbook US domestic monitoring of ANO sympathizers Found Zein al-Abdeen Hassan Isa, which led to shutdown of St. Louis Cell of ANO Jordanian security forces captured Nidal’s family Threatened execution if he continued activity in Jordan
Conclusions Abu Nidal killed himself in 2002 Efforts were extremely effective Last notable act of terror was in 1991 Remains on the terror watch list but is widely considered inactive