Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF)

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Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF)

Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF) also operates as, or is known as, the Cholana Kangtoap Serei Cheat Kampouchea.

CFF emerged in November, 1998, in the wake of political violence that saw many influential Cambodian leaders flee and the Cambodian People's Party assume power. With an avowed aim of overthrowing the government, the group is led by a Cambodian-American, a former member of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, and its membership includes Cambodian-Americans based in Thailand and the United States and former soldiers from the separatist Khmer Rouge, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and various political factions. The CFF has on at least one occasion attacked government facilities and planned other bombing attacks. In late November, 2000, the CFF staged an attack on several government installations, during which at least eight persons died and more than a dozen were wounded, including civilians. The group's leaders claimed responsibility for the attack. Following a trial of 32 CFF members arrested for the attack, five received life sentences, 25 received lesser jail terms, and two were acquitted. In April, 1999, five other members of the CFF were arrested for plotting to blow up a fuel depot outside Phnom Penh with antitank weapons.

CFF's exact strength is unknown, but totals probably never has exceeded 100 armed fighters. CFF operates in Northeastern Cambodia near the Thai border. Its U.S. based leadership collects funds from the Cambodian-American community.

█ FURTHER READING:

ELECTRONIC:

CDI (Center for Defense Information), Terrorism Project. CDI Fact Sheet: Current List of Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations. March 27, 2003. <http://www.cdi.org/terrorism/terrorist.cfm> (April 17, 2003).

Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook, 2002. <http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/> (April 16, 2003).

Taylor, Francis X. U.S. Department of State. "Patterns of Global Terrorism 2001," Annual Report: On the Record Briefing. May 21, 2002 <http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/rm/10367.htm> (April 17,2003).

U.S. Department of State. Annual Reports. <http://www.state.gov/www/global/terrorism/annual_reports.html> (April 16, 2003).