Nationalist terrorism

Nationalist terrorism is a form of terrorism through which participants attempt to form an independent state against what they consider an occupying, imperial, or otherwise illegitimate state. "Nationalist terrorism" has also been used to describe groups attempting to create a state which upholds the rights of a group (national, ethnic, or other) that they consider oppressed or denied of basic rights granted to others in the state.

As with the definition of terrorism, the characterization of "nationalist terrorism" is highly contentious. Both what constitutes an illegimate regime, and what types of violence and war are acceptable against one, are subjects of heated debate worldwide. Groups described by some as "nationalist terrorists" tend to consider themselves "freedom fighters," engaged in valid but asymmetric warfare.

The following are nationalist groups, which in some circles have been deemed "terrorist":

• Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA)
• Contras
• Front de Libération du Quebec  — (FLQ)
• Provisional Irish Republican Army  — (PIRA)
• Kosovo Liberation Army — (KLA)
• Kurdistan Workers' Party — (PKK)
• MKO Operating against current Iranian Government
• National Liberation Front
• Palestine Liberation Organization — (PLO)
  • al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades (armed wing of the Fatah)
• Sons of Liberty

Some nationalist groups' activities are viewed by others as Left-wing terrorism or Religious terrorism, or can be included in both categories. Examples include:

• The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
• The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
• Euzkadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA)
• Hamas
• Islamic Jihad
• Irgun
• Lehi
• Fatah