All investigations surrounding the Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi Battalion produced no evidence of possible ties to larger terrorist groups, like al-Qaeda.  While Syrian authorities arrested several group members, it is unclear at this time the status of their cases, particularly what charges have been filed and the timeline for criminal court proceedings.<P><br /><br />It is unlikely that the Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi Battalion remains a threat to the region.  Of greater concern, however, is that this group is part of a disturbing trend where "inspired" extremists commit attacks in the name of well-known militants whom they may not be affiliated with.  Such arguments have been made regarding the 2004 Madrid subway bombings, claimed by the <a href="?id=3903">Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigade.</a>  Groups such as these can be considered a legitimate threat since it is virtually impossible to monitor their formation and initial planning.  While they may only be capable of committing a single attack, the number of fatalities and amount of damage, as past attacks have shown, can be considerable.

Abu Dujana Al-Afghani (of the) Ansar Al-Qaeda Europe

One month after the Madrid bombings, Spain elected Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's socialist government to power.  He fulfilled his campaign promise to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq in June 2004, satisfying one of Abu Nayaf al-Afghani's chief objectives. However, Zapatero doubled (from 250 to 500) the number of Spanish soldiers in Afghanistan, though whether Spanish support for this operation is sufficient to warrant further attacks is questionable. The group has not issued any claims of responsibility since their unsuccessful April 2004 attack. However, because of its affiliation and sympathy with al-Qaeda, as long as some level of Spanish support for American led operations in Afghanistan remains, the possibility of further attacks cannot be ruled out.

Arab Fedayeen Cells -- Suspected Alias/Ally
Arab Revolutionary Brigades -- Suspected Alias/Ally
Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) -- Rival
Revolutionary Organization of Socialist Muslims -- Suspected Alias/Ally