{{Short description|Greek left-wing terrorist group}} {{Infobox militant organization | name = Popular Fighters Group | logo = | caption = | dates = 2013 – 2019 | leader = | motives = Fight against the greek state and the capitalism | area = Greece | ideology = Anarchist communism<br>Anti-capitalism<br>Anti-imperialism<br>Anti-German sentiment<br>Insurrectionary anarchism | status = Inactive }} The '''Popular Fighters Group''', also referred to as '''Group of Popular Rebels''' (Greek: Ομάδα Λαϊκών Αγωνιστών, transliterated as Omáda Laikón Agonistón), was a Greek left-wing terrorist group that was anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist. Formed as a response to the Greek Government-debt crisis the group carried out attacks primarily targeting the Government of Greece and German organizations in Greece.<ref name=CalHer>{{cite news|last=Associated Press|title=Greek group claims responsibility for shooting attack against German ambassador's house|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/world/Greek+group+claims+responsibility+shooting+attack+against/9493975/story.html|accessdate=11 February 2014|newspaper=The Calgary Herald|date=February 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name="AnStrat">{{cite web|url=https://anstrat.org/greece-entity-ola/|title=Group of Popular Fighters (Anarchist Entity, Greece)|work=AnStrat|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref>
The group gained attention not only for its attacks, it published several statements explaining its political views.<ref name="AnStrat"/> The group usually communicated through statements on anarchist websites or left behind the statements for journalists in public places.<ref name="AnStrat"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.gr/eidiseis/49860/i-omada-laikon-agoniston-anelabe-tin-eythyni-gia-tis-bombes-se-eurobank-kai|title="Η Ομάδα Λαϊκών Αγωνιστών ανέλαβε την ευθύνη για τις βόμβες σε Eurobank και υπουργείο Εργασίας"|work=Insider Greece|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref> According to authorities, the former EA operative Panagiota Roupa allegedly wrote some of the OLA's tractates.<ref name="AnStrat"/>
== Attacks == === 2013 === *'''January 14, 2013''' - Gunmen attacked the headquarters of the governing New Democracy party in Athens. No one was injured.<ref name=CalHer /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/world/europe/shots-fired-at-office-of-greek-prime-minister.html|title=Shots Fired Into Offices of Greek Governing Party|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref> *'''December 30, 2013''' - Gunmen fired on the residence of the German ambassador, Wolfgang Dold. No one was injured.<ref name=CalHer /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/30/shots-fired-german-ambassador-home-greece|title=Shots fired at German ambassador's home in Greece|work=The Guardian|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref>
=== 2014 === *'''January 12, 2014''' - The group claimed to have fired rocket at the Greek headquarters of Mercedes-Benz in Varympompi, Athens. Greek investigators had not noted such an attack; however, they later discovered evidence that a rocket had indeed been fired but missed its target, instead landing in a nearby field.<ref name=CalHer /><ref name=Guar1>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/12/failed-rocket-attack-mercedes-benz-greece|title=Failed rocket attack targeted Mercedes Benz offices in Greece|website=TheGuardian.com|date=12 February 2014}}</ref> *'''April 10, 2014''' - The group is believed to be responsible for a car bombing outside of the headquarters of the Bank of Greece in Athens. No one was hurt in the attack.<ref>{{cite web|last=Alloush|first=Abed|title=Athens Blasted by 75kg Car-Bomb Outside Bank of Greece HQ|url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/04/10/athens-blasted-by-75kg-car-bomb-outside-bank-of-greece-hq/|work=Greek Reporter|date=10 April 2014|publisher=GreekReporter.com|accessdate=19 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mamakouka|first=Iro-Anna|title=Greek Counterterrorism Analysts Fear for New Attacks|url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/04/11/greek-counterterrorism-analysts-fear-for-new-attacks/|work=Greek Reporter|date=11 April 2014|publisher=GreekReporter.com|accessdate=19 April 2014}}</ref> *'''December 12, 2014''' - Armed assailants opened fire against the Israeli embassy in Atticia, Athens. leaving only material damage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/2014-12-12/ty-article/shots-fired-at-israeli-embassy-in-athens-no-injuries/0000017f-db3e-db5a-a57f-db7e418f0000|title=Dozens of Shots Fired at Israeli Embassy in Athens|work=Haaretz|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/cdc70f106b8549e48917f1a46fdd6efc/shots-fired-israeli-embassy-athens|title=Dozens of shots fired at Israeli embassy in Athens|work=AP News|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref> The Popular Fighters Group claimed the attack weeks later in a statement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/166922/group-of-popular-fighters-claim-responsibility-for-gun-attack-on-israeli-embassy/|title=Group of Popular Fighters claim responsibility for gun attack on Israeli Embassy|work=Ekathimerini|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref>
===2015=== * '''November 24, 2015''' - An improvised device blasts outside the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) offices in Atticia, Athens, leaving material damage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bomb-explodes-in-central-athens-no-casualties-1448352870|title=Bomb Explodes in Central Athens, No Casualties|work=The Wall Street Journal|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/25/world/europe/athens-blast-hurts-none-but-fuels-fears-of-domestic-terrorism.html|title=Athens Blast Hurts None but Fuels Fears of Domestic Terrorism|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref> ===2016=== - The Popular Fighters Group (OLA) claimed the bombing against the headquarters of Greece's industrialists in Athens, occurred the last November.<ref name="AnStrat"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/204828/terrorist-group-says-november-blast-at-industrialists-hq-was-for-workers/|title=Terrorist group says November blast at industrialists' HQ was for workers|work=Ekathimerini|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref> *'''December 12, 2016''' - Members of the Popular Fighters Group (OLA) left an explosive device in the offices of the Labor Ministry in Athens. The bomb was defused by greek authorities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/greek-police-detonate-suspected-bomb-at-labor-ministry-athens/|title=Greek police detonate suspected bomb at labor ministry|work=Político|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1410OQ/|title=Greek police find bomb planted outside labor ministry|work=Reuters|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref>
=== 2017 === *'''April 14, 2017''' - Militants blasts a Eurobank branch in Athens, left important material damages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/world/bomb-explodes-outside-eurobank-office-in-athens-1492663297.html|title=Bomb explodes outside Eurobank office in Athens|work=The Statesman|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/bomb-explodes-outside-eurobank-office-in-athens/634923/|title=Bomb explodes outside Eurobank office in Athens|work=Financial Express|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref> Days later the Popular Fighters Group claimed the attack in an anticapitalist statement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/news/greek-urban-guerrilla-group-claims-responsibility-eurobank-attack-172125699--finance.html|title=Greek urban guerrilla group claims responsibility for Eurobank attack|work=Yahoo News|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref> *'''December 22, 2017''' - the group claimed responsibility for a bombing against the Court of Appeals in Athens. The group press release stated that "Justice is like a snake. It will only bite those barefoot" as justification for the attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/popular-fighters-group-claims-responsibility-for-athens-court-blast/a-41951781|title=Popular Fighters Group claims responsibility for Athens court blast|website=Deutsche Welle}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20171222-bomb-explodes-outside-greek-court-no-casualties|title=Bomb explodes outside Greek court, no casualties|work=Frace24|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref> Days later, the OLA claimed the attack in response of sentences received against guerrilla members in the last years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/popular-fighters-group-claims-responsibility-for-athens-court-blast/a-41951781|title=Greek guerilla group claims Athens court blast|work=Deutche Welle|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref>
=== 2018 === thumb|The destroyed headquarters of Skai TV few hours after the attack *'''November 13, 2018''' - An explosive device failed to blasts in the house of the Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Isidoros Dogiakos in Vyronas, Athens, being defused by greek forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://greekreporter.com/2018/11/13/bomb-fails-to-explode-outside-greek-judges-home/|title=Bomb Fails to Explode Outside Greek Judge's Home|work=Greek Reporter|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/greek/en/article/bomb-squad-defuses-device-planted-outside-athens-home-of-judicial-official/5xa415bg2|title=Bomb squad defuses device planted outside Athens home of judicial official|work=SBS Greek|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref> * '''December 17, 2018''' Bomb at the Skai TV station and Kathimerini newspaper.<ref>{{cite web|title=Η Ομάδα Λαϊκών Αγωνιστών ανέλαβε την ευθύνη για την επίθεση στον ΣΚΑΪ|url=https://www.cnn.gr/ellada/story/161143/h-omada-laikon-agoniston-anelave-tin-eythyni-gia-tin-epithesi-ston-skai|language=Greek}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/17/bomb-blast-that-hit-athens-tv-station-skai-tv-an-attack-on-democracy|title=Outrage at 'anti-democratic' bomb blast at Athens TV station|work=The Guardian|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref>
===2019=== In January, the OLA claimed the attack against Skai TV, accused media of being a tool to strengthen "rotting economic and political system".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/world/europe/greece-bombing-group-of-popular-fighters.html|title=Greek Militants Say They Bombed Media Offices to Protest 'Capitalist' Agenda|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/greek-urban-guerrillas-ola-claim-tv-station-attack-5860171.html|title=Greek urban guerrillas OLA claim TV station attack|work=FirstPost|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/greece-blast-skai-claim/greek-urban-guerrillas-ola-claim-tv-station-attack-idINKCN1P22CQ/|title=Greek urban guerrillas OLA claim TV station attack|work=Reuters|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref> ==Arrests== On September 24, 2020, three suspect members of the OLA were arrested and accused of possession of firearms, explosives and carry out attacks, after an investigation which dated back more than seven months. The raid took place in the neighborhood of Koukaki, Athens.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/257335/three-arrested-in-counter-terrorism-operation-against-urban-guerrilla-group/|title=Three arrested in counter-terrorism operation against urban guerrilla group|work=Ekathimerini|accessdate=2024-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/257360/three-detainees-may-be-tied-to-guerrilla-group/|title=Three detainees may be tied to guerrilla group|work=Ekathimerini|accessdate=2024-03-01}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist|2}} Category:Left-wing militant groups in Greece Category:Organizations established in 2013 Category:Terrorism in Greece Category:Anti-capitalist organizations Category:Anti-German sentiment in Europe