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The East Turkestan Liberation Organization (Sharqiy Turkestan Azatliq Teshkilati; abbreviated to ETLO) is a militant organization, designated as terrorist by the United Nations, that advocates the creation of an independent Turkestan. The organization operates primarily in Xinjiang, China, but operates throughout Central Asia and in Pakistan. The ETLO is allied with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and the Taliban.

The organization has been designated as terrorist by the governments of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,, the United Nations, and the United States.

History

Members established the organization in Turkey in the late 1990s. The Chinese government's report on East Turkestan terrorists of January 2002 included the ETLO and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement. The U.S. government did not designate the ETLO a terrorist organization when the Chinese government requested the designation in December 2003. However, the United States State Department says the ETLO has engaged in "small politically-motivated bombings and armed attacks". The Global Defence Review says it is "widely acknowledged" that Al-Qaeda gives funding and training to the ETLO and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.

In May 2002 the United States Department of State listed the ETLO and the East Turkestan Islamic Party as a 'cause for concern'. In August 2002 the United States government designated it a terrorist organization. The United Nations also later designated it as such.

The Oriental Morning Post reported in March 2003 that ETLO members "hijacked a Chinese bus in Kyrgyzstan and set it on fire, killing all 21 passengers and the bus driver."

The Chinese Ministry of Public Security issued a list of "East Turkestan terrorists" and "terrorist organizations" on 15 December 2003 including the East Turkestan Liberation Organization.

Kazakhstan banned the ETLO, designating it a terrorist organization, on 17 November 2006. The United States State Department says the ETLO has engaged "small politically-motivated bombings and armed attacks". The Global Defence Review says it is "widely acknowledged" that Al-Qaeda gives funding and training to the ETLO and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.

See also

  • East Turkestan independence movement