In a significant escalation of its crackdown on political violence, the United States has formally designated four European left-wing entities as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
The Designated Groups and Their Alleged Crimes
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the designations on Thursday, identifying the German-based Antifa Ost alongside three other groups in Greece and Italy. The Italian group is the Informal Anarchist Federation/International Revolutionary Front, while the Greek entities are Armed Proletarian Justice and Revolutionary Class Self-Defense.
Mr Rubio stated that the action builds on President Donald Trump's commitment to confront what he described as Antifa's "campaign of political violence." He further indicated plans to designate these groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations from November 20, warning that Washington would target other groups globally.
The State Department provided specific allegations against the groups:
- Antifa Ost (Germany): Accused of numerous attacks against those it perceives as 'fascists' in Germany between 2018 and 2023, and of conducting a series of attacks in Budapest in mid-February 2023.
- Revolutionary Class Self-Defense (Greece): Claimed responsibility for an April explosion at railway operator Hellenic Train and a 2024 attack on the labour ministry in Athens.
- Armed Proletarian Justice (Greece): Claimed responsibility for planting a bomb near the Greek riot police headquarters in Goudi in 2023.
Political Context and International Reaction
President Trump and his Republican allies have long accused antifa followers of fomenting political violence, citing events such as the September assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and protests against federal immigration authorities.
The move has drawn a muted official response from the affected European nations. Germany's domestic intelligence service had already identified Antifa Ost as a violent network in a 2024 report, noting that four people connected to the group were arrested between December 2023 and November 2024.
A Greek official, speaking anonymously, stated, "We are against any terrorist act and terrorist organization," while the Italian prime minister's office said it had no immediate comment.
This action represents a major development in the US government's approach to left-wing political violence and is likely to have significant implications for international counter-terrorism cooperation and diplomatic relations.
