Eritrean Islamic Jihad

Eritrean Islamic Jihad is referred to as the Eritrean Islamic Salvation Movement, EIJM, EIJ, ERIJ, EISM, Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement, and/or Harakat al Jihad al Islami al Eritrea. The Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement (ERIJ), is one of several opposition groups that operates in Eritrea and from surrounding countries.

Goals and objectives

The primary goal of the ERIJ is the overthrow of the Eritrean government of President Issayas Afewerki (also rendered as Isaias Afwerki) and his ruling People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) [ [http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/ism.htm Islamic Salvation Movement / Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement ] ] [ [http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/eritrea.htm Interview With the Deputy Amir of the Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement ] ] , formerly referred to as the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF). The PFDJ is the only legally permitted political party in Eritrea. ERIJ also seeks the establishment of an Islamic Government in Eritrea with an eye toward establishing a caliphate in the Horn of Africa. [ [http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/eritrea.htm Interview With the Deputy Amir of the Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement ] ] [ [http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4535 MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base ] ] In September 1998, an opposition congress was held in Khartoum, Sudan. At that time, the Eritrean opposition group Harakat al Jihad al Islami (Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement-ERIJ) reportedly changed its name to Harakat al Khalas al Islami al Eritrea (Eritrean Islamic Salvation Movement). [ [http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/ism.htm Islamic Salvation Movement / Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement ] ]

Allies

The other major armed opposition party in Eritrea is the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) which is led by Abdallah Idris. [ [http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4535 MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base ] ] [ [http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/ism.htm Islamic Salvation Movement / Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement ] ] Both groups have historically been based in Sudan. [ [http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4535 MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base ] ] [ [http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4535 MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base ] ]

Leadership

Shaikh Khalil Mohammed Amer is the putative leader of ERIJ. [ [http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4535 MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base ] ] ERIJ's Deputy Emir is Abul Bara' Hassan Salman. [ [http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4535 MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base ] ]

Foreign support

Sudanese authorities have signalled their official support of the movement when they allowed the ERIJ's Secretary-General Sheikh Khalil Mohammed Amer to hold a news conference in Khartoum. [ [http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/ism.htm Islamic Salvation Movement / Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement ] ]

History of attacks

April 13, 2003Timothy Nutt, a 49 year old British geologist was murdered in western Eritrea allegedly by ERIJ. ERIJ denied responsibility for the attack. Nutt's throat was cut and his vehicle had been burned. His body was found in a dry stream-bed near the village of Bisha. Nutt reportedly worked for the Canadian firm Nevsun Resources, a mineral exploration company specialising in gold and diamond mining. . [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2957743.stm BBC NEWS | Africa | UK geologist 'killed by Eritrea rebels' ] ]

August 10, 2003Two aid workers were killed and another injured when their vehicle was attacked by gunmen in Northern Eritrea. The victims worked for Mercy Corps, a US charity, which has long had a presence in the region. Although no group claimed the attack, Eritrean authorities suspect Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement (ERIJ) which is supported by Sudan. [ [http://www.tkb.org/Incident.jsp?incID=17113 MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base ] ]

Notes

ources

* [http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/ism.htm Federation of American Scientists Intelligence Research Program]
* [http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/19990514.htm HORN OF AFRICA: Armed factions and the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 14 May 1999]
* [http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/eritrea.htm The Deputy Amir of the Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement - Abul Bara' Hassan Salman: The Governing Regime is a Terrorist Regime Which Acts With Enmity Against the Eritrean People Nida'ul Islam Magazine (Call of Islam) February - March 1998]
* [http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4535 The Terrorism Knowledge Base]
* [http://www.tkb.org/Incident.jsp?incID=17113]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2957743.stm UK geologist 'killed by Eritrea rebels']