The Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) was a Marxist-Leninist terrorist organization, that operated from 1975 to 1986. The group also operated under other names such as The Orly Group and the 3 October Organization.^[1] The stated intention of ASALA was "to compel the Turkish Government to acknowledge publicly its alleged responsibility for the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915, pay reparations, and cede territory for an Armenian homeland".^[2] The territory to be ceded would be the area promised to the Armenians at the Treaty of Sèvres in 1920 (which never came into effect) by US President Woodrow Wilson, "Wilsonian Armenia".^[1] ASALA was listed as a terrorist organization by the United States in 1980s.^[2] Image File history File links Flag_of_the_ASALA.png‎ ASALA flag originally created and uploaded by Artaxiad. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Beirut (disambiguation). ... Vladimir Lenin in 1920 Leninism is a political and economic theory which builds upon Marxism; it is a branch of Marxism (and it has been the dominant branch of Marxism in the world since the 1920s). ... Greater Armenia as advocated by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation under the title of United Armenia. ... Vladimir Lenin in 1920 Leninism is a political and economic theory which builds upon Marxism; it is a branch of Marxism (and it has been the dominant branch of Marxism in the world since the 1920s). ... This article is becoming very long. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Armenian Genocide photo. ... The Treaty of Sèvres is a peace treaty that the Allies of World War I and the Ottoman Empire signed on 10 August 1920 after World War I. Representatives from the governments of the parties involved signed the treaty in Sèvres, France. ... For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924), was the 28th President of the United States. ... Foundation: May 1915 - Dec 1917 Head: Aram Manougian Armenian provisional government, First Armenian Republic or sometimes refered as Free Vaspurakan was set up in the city of Van and its provinces during the WWI [1] which had a setback during Battle of Van and reasteblished in June 1916 as Administration...

History

ASALA was founded in 1975 in Beirut, Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War by Hagop Hagopian (Harutiun Tagushian) with the help of sympathetic Palestinians.^[1] The group's activities were primarily assassinations of Turkish diplomats and politicians in Western Europe, in the United States and the Middle East.^[1] Their first acknowledged killing was the assassination of the Turkish diplomat, Danış Tunalıgil, in Vienna on October 22, 1975. A failed attack in Geneva on October 3, 1980, in which two Armenian militants were injured resulted in a new nickname for the group, the 3 October Organization. The ASALA's eight point manifesto was published in 1981. Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Beirut (disambiguation). ... Combatants Lebanese Front Syria LNM PLO Commanders Bachir Gemayel Dany Chamoun Kamal Jumblatt Yasser Arafat The Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990) was a multifaceted civil war whose antecedents trace back to the conflicts and political compromises reached after the end of Lebanons administration by the Ottoman Empire. ... The Palestinian flag, adopted in 1948, is a widely recognized modern symbol of the Palestinian people. ... The borders of Western Europe were largely defined by the Cold War. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... “Wien” redirects here. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Geneva (pronunciation //; French: Genève //, German:   //, Italian: Ginevra //, Romansh: Genevra) is the second most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich), and is the most populous city of Romandy (the French-speaking part of Switzerland). ... is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ...

Continuous attacks prompted Turkey to accuse Cyprus, Greece, Syria, Lebanon, and the Soviet Union of provoking or possibly funding the ASALA, though nothing of this sort was ever found to be true.^[1] Although they publicly distanced themselves from the ASALA,^[1] Turkey's Armenian community came under attack by Turkish nationalists in reaction to the group's actions. This became apparent after the assassination of Ahmet Benler on October 12, 1979 by Armenian militants in the Hague. The reaction to the attack led to the bombing of the church of the Armenian Apostolic Patriarchate in Istanbul on October 19 in retaliation.^[3] Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink once said in an interview with Vatan, referring to that period, "we, Armenians in Turkey, used to go around with our heads hanging low."^[4] is the 285th day of the year (286th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Coordinates: , Country Netherlands Province South Holland Area (2006)  - Municipality 98. ... Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: , historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. ... is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Armenians in Turkish national movement Armenians in Turkey (Turkish: ; Armenian: , the latter meaning Istanbul-Armenian) have an estimated population of 40,000 (1995) to 70,000. ... Hrant Dink (Armenian: , IPA: [][1]) (September 15, 1954 – January 19, 2007) was a Turkish-Armenian editor, journalist and column writer. ... This word means own country/fatherland in Turkish. ...

Attacks

Main article: List of attacks by the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia

The ASALA's most infamous attack was on August 7, 1982 in Ankara at the Esenboğa International Airport, when its members targeted non-diplomat civilians for the first time. Two militants opened fire in a crowded passenger waiting room. One of the shooters took more than 20 hostages while the second was apprehended by police. Altogether, nine people died and 82 were injured. The arrested militant Levon Ekmekjian condemned the ASALA in the aftermath of the attack and appealed to other members to leave and stop the violence. The Esenboga attack also precipitated a split in the group over tactics, between the Nationalists (ASALA-Militant) led by Hagopian and the 'Popular Movement' (ASALA-Mouvement Révolutionnaire) led by Monte Melkonian. While Melkonian's faction insisted on attacks strictly against Turkish officials and the Turkish government, Hagopian's group disregarded the losses of unintended victims and regularly executed dissenting members. On August 10, 1982, Artin Penik a Turkish citizen of Armenian descent, set himself on fire in protest of this attack.^[5][6][7][8] This is a list of attacks by the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA). ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the countrys second largest city after Ä°stanbul. ... EsenboÄŸa International Airport EsenboÄŸa International Airport (IATA: ESB, ICAO: LTAC), Turkish Ankara EsenboÄŸa Havalimanı or EsenboÄŸa Uluslarası Havalimanı, is an airport in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. ... Monte Melkonian (in Armenian: in WA Õ„Õ¸Õ¶Õ©Õ§ Õ„Õ¥Õ¬Ö„Õ¸Õ¶Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶, in EA Õ„Õ¸Õ¶Õ©Õ¥ Õ„Õ¥Õ¬Ö„Õ¸Õ¶ÕµÕ¡Õ¶ November 25, 1957 – June 12, 1993) was a famed Armenian military commander in the Nagorno-Karabakh war. ... is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Artin Penik (1921 – August 15, 1982) was a Turkish-Armenian who set himself on fire in protest of the terrorist attacks in EsenboÄŸa International Airport by the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA, also known as Third October) on August 10, 1982. ...

On July 15, 1983, the ASALA carried out another devastating attack at the Orly Airport near Paris, in which 8 people were killed. The attack gave the group a new nickname, the Orly Group. Afterwards, French forces promptly arrested those involved.^[9] is the 196th day of the year (197th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Diagram of Orly airport Orly Airport (IATA: ORY, ICAO: LFPO) is an airport located in Orly and partially in Villeneuve-le-Roi, south of Paris, France ( ). It has flights to cities in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. ... City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur (Latin: Tossed by the waves, she does not sink) The Eiffel Tower in Paris, as seen from the esplanade du Trocadéro. ...

According to MIPT website, there had been 84 incidents involving ASALA leaving 46 people dead, and 299 people injured including the following:^[10] The National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) is a non-profit organization founded in response to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. ...

• February 16, 1976 in Turkish Embassy in Beirut, Oktar Cirit was killed
• October 12, 1979 in Turkish Embassy in the Hague, Ahmet Benler, the son of the Ambassador Özdemir Benler, was killed (This attack was one of the attacks co-claimed by JCAG, another Armenian guerilla organization, which was attacking primarily Turkish diplomats and their families)
• July 31, 1980 in Turkish Embassy in Athens, Galip Özmen and his 14 year old daughter Neslihan were killed in the Turkish consulate. Galip Özmen's wife Sevil Özmen and their son Kaan survived the attack with injuries
• March 4th, 1981 in the Turkish Embassy in Paris, Reşat Moralı was killed and Tecelli Arı was injured
• June 9th, 1981 in the Turkish Consulate in Geneva, Mehmet Savaş Yergüz was killed
• September 24, 1981 in Turkish Consulate in Paris, 56 Turks were held hostage in the embassy by ASALA militants, Cemal Özen was killed.
• April 28, 1984 in Turkish Embassy in Tehran, Iran, Işık Yönder was killed

February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Beirut (disambiguation). ... is the 285th day of the year (286th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Arms of The Hague The Hague (with capital T; Dutch: Den Haag, or officially s-Gravenhage) is the administrative capital of the Netherlands, located in the west of the country, in the province South Holland of which it is also the capital. ... Justice Commandos against Armenian Genocide (JCAG) was a guerrilla organization that operated in various western nations from 1975 to 1983. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Athens is the largest and the capital city of Greece, located in the Attica periphery. ... March 4 is the 63rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (64th in leap years). ... City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur (Latin: Tossed by the waves, she does not sink) The Eiffel Tower in Paris, as seen from the esplanade du Trocadéro. ... June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ... Geneva (pronunciation //; French: Genève //, German:   //, Italian: Ginevra //, Romansh: Genevra) is the second most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich), and is the most populous city of Romandy (the French-speaking part of Switzerland). ... September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Dissolution

With the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 the group lost much of its organization and support. Sympathetic Palestinian organizations including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) withdrew their support and passed materials to the French intelligence services in 1983, detailing ASALA operatives. The last attack committed by the ASALA was the assassination of Armenian Revolutionary Federation party member Zaven Tashjian in Beirut in 1986. ^[11] Another attack with alleged ASALA involvement occurred in Beirut the following year when unidentified gunmen opened fire killing two French embassy guards and wounding another. An alleged spokesman for the group claimed responsibility, though others denied involvement. ^[12] Combatants Israel South Lebanon Army LF (nominally neutral) PLO Syria Amal LCP Commanders Menachem Begin (Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon, (Ministry of Defence) Rafael Eitan, (CoS) Yasser Arafat Strength 76,000 37,000 Casualties 670 17,825 The 1982 Lebanon War (Hebrew: , Milkhemet Levanon), (Arabic: ), called by Israel the Operation Peace... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) (Arabic: ;   or Munazzamat al-Tahrir al-Filastiniyyah) is a political and paramilitary organization regarded by the Arab League since October 1974 as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Foundation: 1890 Founders: Christapor Mikaelian, Stepan Zorian, Simon Zavarian Head: Hrant Markarian Ideology: Socialism,[1] Nationalism,[2] United Armenia International alignment: Socialist International[1] Colours: Red Seats: Armenia – 16 seats out of 131 Nagorno-Karabakh – 3 seats out of 33 Lebanon – 2 seats out of 128 Website: Partys Official...

It was clear that the group's existence was over when its founder Hagop Hagopian was assassinated on a sidewalk in an affluent neighborhood in Athens, Greece on April 28, 1988. His assailants, Hovsep A., Vartan G., Garabed K., and Albert "Sultan-Minas", were all former ASALA members and lieutenants of Hagopian. His body was riddled with several bullets while he was walking with two women at 4:30 in the morning.^[13] Tarakchian died of cancer in 1980. Assassinations of former members continued in Armenia into the late 1990s.^[14] According to Turkish sources, the ASALA was repressed by a series of attacks by the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), some carried out by Abdullah Çatlı, leader of the ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves, which worked in cooperation with the MIT and with Gladio, "stay-behind" secret NATO paramilitary organizations.^[15] Athens is the largest and the capital city of Greece, located in the Attica periphery. ... is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). ... The Millî Ä°stihbarat TeÅŸkilatı (Turkish for National Intelligence Organization) is the central intelligence agency of the Republic of Turkey. ... Abdullah Çatlı (1956—November 3, 1996) was a Turkish ultra-nationalist activist, who became in 1978 the second responsible, after colonel Alparslan TürkeÅŸ, of the Grey Wolves, a movement of the Turkish Nationalist Movement Party(Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi-MHP).[1] Member of Gladio stay-behind NATO clandestine network... Youths supporting Grey Wolves movement. ... Operation Gladio Operation Gladio was a clandestine stay-behind operation sponsored by the CIA and NATO to counter communist influence in Italy, as well as in other European countries. ...

See also

• Justice Commandos Against Armenian Genocide (JCAG)
• Armenian Genocide
• Denial of the Armenian Genocide
• Monte Melkonian

Justice Commandos against Armenian Genocide (JCAG) is a militant revolutionary organization that seeks to establish an independent and free Armenia and seeks recognition of the Armenian Genocide. ... Armenian Genocide photo. ... Denial of the Armenian Genocide is the assertion that the events following April 24, 1915 and the Tehcir Law of May 1915 were not part of a state organized genocide, that an Armenian Genocide did not occur. ... Monte Melkonian (in Armenian: in WA Մոնթէ Մելքոնեան, in EA Մոնթե Մելքոնյան November 25, 1957 – June 12, 1993) was a famed Armenian military commander in the Nagorno-Karabakh war. ...

External links

Non-partisan sources:

• Groups Listed as Terrorist in Prior Editions of "Patterns of Global Terrorism": ASALA Profile (Internet Archive). United States Department of State Publication 10321

From an Armenian perspective:

• ASALA Online

From a Turkish perspective:

• Chronology of Armenian Terrorism

References