The activities of the infamous terrorism are a set of intimidation in lieu of achieving something forcefully. It is executed to spread to violence and cruelty by affecting a lot of casualties and unnecessary riots across the globe. Successive terrorist activities led to the monetary gains which further add up to the growth of the terrorist organisations worldwide.
We’ve come across a list of terrorist organisations which have gone from rags to riches. In this article, we tend to highlight the top 10 richest terrorist groups in the world 2022.
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10. The Boko Haram
The Boko Haram is Nigeria based Islamic extremist group. It is headquartered at Maiduguri, Nigeria, and is also spread in Chad and Niger. The Boko Haram was founded by Mohammed Yusuf in the year 2002. It is referred to as one of the deadliest terrorist organisations in the world. So far, the Boko Haram Islamic militants have caused a lot of destruction in the form of bombings, assassinations, and extortion. The reason for their unlawful revolt is that they have asked the government to create a separate Islamic state in the country. According to the news updates, the Boko Haram is said to earn a massive $ 70 million every year on account of their terrorist activities.
9. The Real IRA
The Real IRA (Irish Republic Army) is the 9th richest terrorist groups in the world. According to Forbes, The Real IRA is said to have an estimated annual turnover of $ 50 million on account of indulging into criminal activities such as drug dealings, gang wars, extortion, and so on. The terrorist group was formed by the Irish republican army council in the year 1997 with an objective to create a United Ireland. The Real IRA opposes the British Army and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
8. Al-Shabaab
Al-Shabaab is a part of the infamous Al-Qaida terrorist organization. It was founded in the year 2006. Al-Shabaab militant group is based in East Africa. As sources say, the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization is said to receive finance resources by way of state sponsorships, charities, get revenue from individuals in the Somalia diaspora, receiving grants from other terrorist groups, and funding from businesses which are based in Kismayo. The finances are transferred to the group either by courier or hawala. The other sources of terrorist group funding include piracy and extortion. Al-Shabaab utilizes its revenue in the activities of militant training, militant recruitment, purchasing weapons, and other equipment to sustain their militant power.
7. Lashkar-e-Taiba
Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group was formed by Hafiz Mohammed Saeed in the year 1987 at Afghanistan’s Kunar province. The Lashkr-e-Tabia (LeT) is one of the most outrageous and the deadliest militant groups in the world. The Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group considers itself the superior armed rebels in the name of Allah, as the group name is derived from Urdu, which means Army of the Righteous. The militant group Is actively supported by Pakistan and has been accused of several militant attacks against India such as the Jammu and Kashmir attacks, the infamous November 2008 Mumbai attacks, and so on. According to Forbes, the Lashkar-e-Taiba is said to have an estimated annual turnover of $ 100 million on account of militant attacks, assassinations, bombings, and so on.
6. Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is one of the most frightening terrorist organizations in the world which stands at the sixth rank in the richest terrorist groups list. The terrorist group was founded by the terrorist billionaire Osama Bin Laden in the year 1988. The infamous militant group is supported by other terrorist groups and Islamic groups such as Taliban, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Turkistan Islamic Party, Lash-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Jemaah Islamiya, and many more. Since being in possession, Al-Qaeda has outraged many wars in different parts of the world. As sources say, Al-Qaeda has been benefitted to a larger extent by the wealth of Osama Bin Laden. Besides this, the militant group raised its funding by criminal activities such as heroin drug dealing from supporters in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Islamic Gulf states. Also, Al-Qaeda is said to have an estimated annual turnover of $ 150 million.
5. Taliban
Originated by students of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, The Taliban terrorist group was formed in the year 1994 by Mohammed Omar, Hamid Gul, Abdul Ghani Baradar and Baitullah Mehsud in Afghanistan. Today, Taliban is headquartered at Kandahar (Afghanistan), Quetta (Pakistan) and Peshawar (Pakistan). Being on the fifth rank, the Taliban militant group is said to have a terrorist count of more than 60000. According to a news update by the United Nations, the terrorist organization is said to have an estimated annual turnover of $ 400 million, on account of bombings, murders & assassinations, extortions and so on. Besides this, Taliban militant group raises its funding by way of receiving revenue from telecom companies as protection money. Also, the terrorist group had levied taxes on the farmers as a result of which brought the group nearly 100 million dollars.
4. Hezbollah
Hezbollah militant organization was founded in the year 1985 in the Southern Lebanon by Ali Akbar Mohtashamipur, Imad Mughniyah and Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah. Hezbollah is a combination of a legitimate political party, a terrorist group and a resistance movement, actively supported by the government. It was formed against the invasion of Israel in Lebanon. In lieu of terrorist activities, the terrorist group has also launched its YouTube channel to promote resistance in the name of Islam. The videos generally depict beheading the prisoners of war and various shootouts. As per sources, Hezbollah is said to have an estimated annual turnover of $ 200 million. This includes revenue generation against worldwide drug trafficking, illegal banking and money laundering.
3. FARC
The FARC is one of the deadliest terrorist groups in the world which stands at number three position. It was founded in the year 1964 in Colombia by Manuel Marulanda and Jacobo Arenas. Since its inception, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has employed a lot of military tactics to sustain its power and growth. As a matter of fact, the militant count consists of a combination of men and women terrorists in equal proportion. According to Forbes, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia is said to have an estimated annual turnover of $ 600. This includes criminal activities such as drug dealing, extortions, murders, bombings and gang wars.
2. Hamas
The Hamas terrorist organization is the second largest and the richest militant group in the world. It was founded by Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi in the year 1987 in the Palestinian territories. The group was later established in Gaza and Doha. The objective of the Hamas was to create an Islamic state which is now Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Also, the terrorist group was formed to support Palestinian refugees along with their descendants. In this regards, the Hamas has been in a state of war with the Israeli soldiers. Further, the terrorist group is also accused of killing a lot of civilians in the area. According to Forbes updates, Hamas is said to have an estimated annual turnover of $ 1 billion. The source of income includes gang wars, bombings and assassinations and so on.
1. ISIS
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is the richest and widespread terrorist organization in the world with an annual turnover of $ 2 billion. The terrorist group was founded by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in the year 1999 at Greater Syria. The ISIS was formed in accordance to show the superiority of its community and generally offer resistance to the armed forces in the name of Islam. The ISIS is accused to showing beheading images and videos of war-captured prisoners and civilians. Also, they are accused for various other attacks, bombings and assassinations. The source of income of the militant group includes taxes levied on crude oil, charities and events related to Islamic social awareness, and receiving funds from other terrorist organizations.
By this article, we intend to throw light on the terrorism which has been affecting the world, big time. Eventually, it has become a point of international concern about the instant money making and profitability of the various terrorist organizations. If this is not stopped, soon there will be a time when terrorism takes a deeper dig on humanity.
