No claims of responsibility have been publicly issued by the Battalion of the Look-out for Iraq since Bernard Planche's kidnapping in December 2005. While it is possible the group has become inactive, the unstable security situation in the country leaves open the possibility that the group will continue to constitute a relatively minor threat in the region.

Al-Qaeda in the Levant and Egypt, Al-Qaida in Syria and Egypt, Martyr Abdallah Azzam Brigades, Al-Qa'idah organization - The Land of Al-Sham and Al-Kananah, Tanzim al-Qaida fi Balad ash-Sham wa Ard al-Kinanah

<a href="terrorist_organizations_by_country.asp?id=EG">Egypt</a>, <a href="terrorist_organizations_by_country.asp?id=JO">Jordan</a>, <a href="terrorist_organizations_by_country.asp?id=SY">Syria</a>

Most recently, in August 2005, rocket attacks on the USS Ashland and the USS Kearsarge (both docked in the Jordanian port of Aqaba) were claimed by a group that called themselves the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, leading some to lay blame on the Battalion of the Martyr Abdullah Azzam. However, this attack does not conform to the latter group's normal methods of operation (i.e. it did not occur in Egypt, did not involve multiple, simultaneously-detonated bombs, and did not target civilians). Therefore, it is possible that the attack was carried out by a similar group or cell with connections to al-Qaeda.  In any case, the Battalion of the Martyr Abdullah Azzam is considered to be very active and will likely carry out more attacks in the future. <br /><p><br /><br /><br />

Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Pattani (BRN) -- Faction
New Pattani United Liberation Organization (New PULO) -- Faction
Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO) -- Faction
Runda Kumpalan Kecil (RKK) -- Ally (Suspected)
Sri Nakharo -- Ally (Suspected)

Ber Satu, Payong Organization, United Front for the Independence of Pattani

The United Front for the Independence of Pattani, also known as "Bersatu" ("United" in Malay) is an umbrella organization of various terrorist groups operating in southern Thailand, united in their goal of fighting the Thai government in the name of Thailand's Malay Muslim minority.  The group, originally called the "Payong Organization," was established on August 31, 1989, by leaders of the various factions of the Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO), as well as of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Pattani (BRN), the Barisan National Pember-Basan (BNPP) and the Mujahadeen Pattani.  It took its current name in 1991, although some of its component groups still claim attacks in their own name.  Some analysts see the decision of the separatist groups to merge their resources as a sign of the Thai government's success in fighting these groups.<br /><p><br />Bersatu aims to attract international intervention and donations for their cause, while increasing its domestic support by propagandizing misdeeds of the Thai government against Muslim citizens.  The group has also reportedly attacked and terrorized Muslims who cooperate with the Thai government, teach in government schools, etc.