- To spread Islamist ideology among Palestinians in Lebanon
- Confrontation with Israel
- The removal of the U.S. presence and U.S. interests in the Middle East
Some suggest that Fatah Al Islam and Al Qaeda have organizational ties or share resources. Not true. The group's leader, Abssi, has publicly declared his sympathy for Al Qaeda's Islamist goals and, like Al Qaeda, is explicitly willing to kill non-Muslims in the interest of its other goals.
Compare groups: Al Qaeda base organization | Al Qaeda's global network
In February 2006, Fatah Al Islam took responsibility for two bus bombings in Beirut, which killed three civilians, in a statement sent to Reuters. In late May, 2006, they withdrew their
Former Palestinian Fatah member, and longtime Syrian resident Shakir Al Abssi founded and runs Fatah Al Islam. Abssi, 51, has had a long history of supporting or actively engaging in terrorist acts. He has already been convicted in absentia and sentenced to death for participating in the of American diplomat in Jordan, Laurence Foley in 2002. The group's membership is considered to be around 150 to 200 members.
