Abu Muslim al-Turkmani—born as Fadel Ahmad Abdullah al-Hiyali—was ISIS’s Deputy of ISIS-controlled territory in Iraq.Nick Thompson and Atika Schubert, “The Anatomy of ISIS: How the ‘Islamic State’ is run, from oil to beheadings,” CNN, last updated January 14, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/18/world/meast/isis-syria-iraq-hierarchy/. According to the U.S. government, Turkmani was also a member of ISIS’s Shura Council, and oversaw the movement of weapons and people between Iraq and Syria. Both the White House and ISIS confirmed Turkmani’s death in an August 18, 2015, U.S. airstrike near Mosul, Iraq.“Statement by NSC Spokesperson Ned Price on the Death of ISIL Deputy Leader Fadhil Ahmad al-Hayali,” White House, August 21, 2015, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/08/21/statement-nsc-spokesperson-ned-price-death-isil-deputy-leader-fadhil;
“Abu Muslim al-Turkmani: from Iraqi officer to slain ISIS deputy,” Al Arabiya, December 19, 2014, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/profiles/2014/12/19/Abu-Muslim-al-Turkmani-From-Iraqi-officer-to-slain-ISIS-deputy.html;
Luis Martinez, “3 Senior ISIS Leaders Killed in US Airstrikes in Iraq,” ABC News, December 18, 2014, http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senior-isis-leaders-killed-us-airstrikes/story?id=27700324.

Turkmani was previously a lieutenant colonel in the Iraqi military’s intelligence core, and served in the Senior Special Forces under Saddam Hussein.Ruth Sherlock, “Inside the leadership of Islamic State: how the new ‘caliphate’ is run,” Telegraph (London), July 9, 2014, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/10956280/Inside-the-leadership-of-Islamic-State-how-the-new-caliphate-is-run.html. He reportedly practiced a moderate form of Sunni Islam.Ruth Sherlock, “Inside the leadership of Islamic State: how the new ‘caliphate’ is run,” Telegraph (London), July 9, 2014, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/10956280/Inside-the-leadership-of-Islamic-State-how-the-new-caliphate-is-run.html.  Following de-Baathification in 2003, Turkmani joined Sunni Muslim insurgents in fighting American troops stationed in Iraq.Siobhan Gorman, Nour Malas and Matt Bradley, “Brutal Efficiency: The Secret to Islamic State’s Success,” Wall Street Journal, September 3, 2014, http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-secret-to-the-success-of-islamic-state-1409709762 He was detained at the U.S.-run Camp Bucca in Iraq in the mid-2000s,“Who runs the militant group Islamic State?,” Reuters, October 4, 2014, http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/10/04/uk-mideast-crisis-is-penpix-idUKKCN0HT04O20141004;
Terrence McCoy, “How the Islamic State evolved in an American prison,” Washington Post, November 4, 2014, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/11/04/how-an-american-prison-helped-ignite-the-islamic-state/. after which he joined al-Qaeda in Iraq, the predecessor to ISIS.“Statement by NSC Spokesperson Ned Price on the Death of ISIL Deputy Leader Fadhil Ahmad al-Hayali,” White House, August 21, 2015, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/08/21/statement-nsc-spokesperson-ned-price-death-isil-deputy-leader-fadhil.

As ISIS’s Deputy in Iraq, Turkmani directed the group’s Iraq operations and oversaw ISIS’s twelve Iraq-based governors, responsible for the terror group’s finances, weaponry, and legal issues.Nick Thompson and Atika Schubert, “The Anatomy of ISIS: How the ‘Islamic State’ is run, from oil to beheadings,” CNN, last updated January 14, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/18/world/meast/isis-syria-iraq-hierarchy/. Turkmani was credited by the White House for planning ISIS’s capture of Mosul, Iraq, in the summer of 2014.“Statement by NSC Spokesperson Ned Price on the Death of ISIL Deputy Leader Fadhil Ahmad al-Hayali,” White House, August 21, 2015, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/08/21/statement-nsc-spokesperson-ned-price-death-isil-deputy-leader-fadhil. Following his death, he was reportedly succeeded by Abu Fatima al-Jaheishi.Tom Vanden Brook and John Bacon, “U.S. can’t confirm reports Islamic State leader killed,” USA Today, June 14, 2016, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/06/14/us-cant-confirm-reports-islamic-state-leader-killed/85859086/;
“Statement by NSC Spokesperson Ned Price on the Death of ISIL Deputy Leader Fadhil Ahmad al-Hayali,” White House, August 21, 2015, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/08/21/statement-nsc-spokesperson-ned-price-death-isil-deputy-leader-fadhil.

Abu al Faraj al Masri, a.k.a. Ahmad Salama Mabruk, was an Egyptian national and senior leader of the Nusra Front (Jabhat Fateh al-Sham) in Syria.Thomas Joscelyn, “Veteran Egyptian jihadist now an al Qaeda leader in Syria,” Long War Journal, March 21, 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/03/veteran-egyptian-jihadist-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria.php;
Gordon Lubold, “Al Qaeda Leader Targeted in U.S. Airstrike in Syria,” Wall Street Journal, October 4, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/al-qaeda-leader-targeted-in-u-s-airstrike-in-syria-1475557030;
“Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Strike against Al-Qaeda Leader,” U.S. Department of Defense, October 3, 2016, http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/962767/statement-by-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-on-strike-against-al-qaeda-lea. On October 3, 2016, the Nusra Front reported that Masri had been killed in a U.S. airstrike in the northwest Syrian province of Idlib near the Turkish border.Gordon Lubold, “Al Qaeda Leader Targeted in U.S. Airstrike in Syria,” Wall Street Journal, October 4, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/al-qaeda-leader-targeted-in-u-s-airstrike-in-syria-1475557030; “Airstrike kills al Qaeda-linked commander in Syria, group says,” CBS News, October 3, 2016, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/airstrike-kills-al-qaeda-linked-commander-in-syria-group-says/. Pentagon officials confirmed the United States had targeted Masri, who they referred to as a “legacy al Qaeda terrorist” with ties to Osama bin Laden.Gordon Lubold, “Al Qaeda Leader Targeted in U.S. Airstrike in Syria,” Wall Street Journal, October 4, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/al-qaeda-leader-targeted-in-u-s-airstrike-in-syria-1475557030;
“Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Strike against Al-Qaeda Leader,” U.S. Department of Defense, October 3, 2016, http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/962767/statement-by-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-on-strike-against-al-qaeda-lea.

Masri’s jihadist roots trace back to the early 1980s. He was reportedly arrested by Egyptian authorities as a member of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ) following the 1981 assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.Thomas Joscelyn, “Veteran Egyptian jihadist now an al Qaeda leader in Syria,” Long War Journal, March 21, 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/03/veteran-egyptian-jihadist-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria.php. Masri reportedly spent seven years in Egyptian prison and was released during the late 1980s. In 1989, he traveled with other EIJ members to Afghanistan, and then to Yemen in the early 1990s. In the mid-1990s, he traveled Sudan, a known al-Qaeda training ground.Thomas Joscelyn, “Veteran Egyptian jihadist now an al Qaeda leader in Syria,” Long War Journal, March 21, 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/03/veteran-egyptian-jihadist-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria.php.

In December 1996, Masri was arrested alongside then-EIJ leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in the Dagestan region while reportedly searching for a new EIJ stronghold in Chechnya. The Russian government released them after six months due to lack of evidence.Thomas Joscelyn, “Veteran Egyptian jihadist now an al Qaeda leader in Syria,” Long War Journal, March 21, 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/03/veteran-egyptian-jihadist-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria.php;
Andrew Higgins and Alan Cullison, “Saga of Dr. Zawahri Sheds Light On the Roots of al Qaeda Terror,” Wall Street Journal, July 2, 2002, http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1025558570331929960.

Masri was reportedly arrested nearly two years later in July 1998 in Azerbaijan. He was allegedly kidnapped and detained by CIA operatives outside of a restaurant in the capital of Baku. The operatives reportedly copied the files on his computer, which contained sensitive organizational information on al-Qaeda and a list of EIJ members in Europe.Thomas Joscelyn, “Veteran Egyptian jihadist now an al Qaeda leader in Syria,” Long War Journal, March 21, 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/03/veteran-egyptian-jihadist-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria.php. He was subsequently extradited to Egypt to stand trial on terrorism charges.Thomas Joscelyn, “Veteran Egyptian jihadist now an al Qaeda leader in Syria,” Long War Journal, March 21, 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/03/veteran-egyptian-jihadist-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria.php.

During Masri’s 1999 trial, Egyptian authorities discovered that Masri had led EIJ’s civilian organization committee. In this role, Masri reportedly managed the group’s international fighters and identified militants capable of carrying out attacks across the globe.Thomas Joscelyn, “Veteran Egyptian jihadist now an al Qaeda leader in Syria,” Long War Journal, March 21, 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/03/veteran-egyptian-jihadist-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria.php. Masri was handed a 15 year prison sentence, but was released during the Egyptian revolution which overthrew President Hosani Mubarak in 2011.Thomas Joscelyn, “Veteran Egyptian jihadist now an al Qaeda leader in Syria,” Long War Journal, March 21, 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/03/veteran-egyptian-jihadist-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria.php. Following his release, Masri reportedly joined and helped lead Ansar al-Sharia Egypt, an Islamist group which is believed to proselytize and recruit for al-Qaeda.Thomas Joscelyn, “Veteran Egyptian jihadist now an al Qaeda leader in Syria,” Long War Journal, March 21, 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/03/veteran-egyptian-jihadist-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria.php.

In early 2016, Masri reportedly left Egypt and traveled to Syria to join al-Qaeda’s then-affiliate the Nusra Front.“Airstrike kills al Qaeda-linked commander in Syria, group says,” CBS News, October 3, 2016, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/airstrike-kills-al-qaeda-linked-commander-in-syria-group-says/. Masri was a senior leader and was reported to be a member of the group’s Shura Council. In March 2016, Masri appeared in a Nusra Front video in which he identified himself as a senior leader and promoted Islamist uprisings.Thomas Joscelyn, “Veteran Egyptian jihadist now an al Qaeda leader in Syria,” Long War Journal, March 21, 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/03/veteran-egyptian-jihadist-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria.php. The Nusra Front announced it was splitting from al-Qaeda in July 2016, renaming itself Jabhat Fateh al-Sham.Reuters, “Al Qaeda tells Syrian branch Nusra Front it can drop links,” Thomas Reuters Foundation News, July 28, 2016, http://news.trust.org/item/20160728110801-ogl17;
Bassem Mroue, “AP EXPLAINS: Why Syria’s al-Qaida may be considering a split,” Associated Press, July 27, 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d10d759d35824b70b47501d85f0ff8c3/ap-explains-why-syrias-al-qaida-may-be-considering-split. In the video announcing the split, Masri sat beside Abu Muhammad al-Golani, the Nusra Front’s leader.“Airstrike kills al-Qaida-linked commander in Syria,” Associated Press, October 3, 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/9674f84ffc2d4dc68bb071895b47dbd5/airstrike-kills-al-qaida-linked-commander-syria.

On October 3, 2016, Marsi was targeted in a U.S. airstrike in the northwest Idlib province of Syria. If confirmed deceased, Masri’s death “would disrupt and degrade coordination among senior [al-Qaeda] leaders and extremists,” said Cook.Gordon Lubold, “Al Qaeda Leader Targeted in U.S. Airstrike in Syria,” Wall Street Journal, October 4, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/al-qaeda-leader-targeted-in-u-s-airstrike-in-syria-1475557030;
“Airstrike kills al Qaeda-linked commander in Syria, group says,” CBS News, October 3, 2016, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/airstrike-kills-al-qaeda-linked-commander-in-syria-group-says/.

Wael Adel Salman al-Fayad was a senior member of ISIS and the group’s minister of information. In that role, Fayad reportedly oversaw the production of ISIS’s propaganda videos depicting executions and torture.“Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Airstrike Against ISIL Senior Leader,” U.S. Department of Defense, September 16, 2016, http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/946983/statement-from-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-on-airstrike-against-isil-se. He also helped to lead the group’s online and social media operations, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, a group that aims to expose human rights abuses in Syria.الرقة تذبح بصمت, Twitter post, September 16, 2016, 6:09 a.m., https://twitter.com/Raqqa_SL/status/776769990087368704. According to the U.S. government, Fayad was also a member of ISIS’s Shura Council,“Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Airstrike Against ISIL Senior Leader,” U.S. Department of Defense, September 16, 2016, http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/946983/statement-from-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-on-airstrike-against-isil-se. the group’s leadership body that ensures that local governors adhere to ISIS’s version of sharia (Islamic law).Nick Thompson and Atika Shubert, “The anatomy of ISIS: How the ‘Islamic State’ is run, from oil to beheadings,” CNN, January 14, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/18/world/meast/isis-syria-iraq-hierarchy/.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, Fayad had been chosen to select the replacement for Abu Muhammad al-Adnani,الرقة تذبح بصمت, Twitter post, September 16, 2016, 6:39 a.m., https://twitter.com/Raqqa_SL/status/776777445999534080. ISIS’s spokesman and chief of external operations who died in a September 30, 2016, U.S. airstrike.“Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Strike Against ISIL Senior Leader,” Department of Defense, September 12, 2016, http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/941733/statement-from-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-on-strike-against-isil-senio. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Fayad had been Adnani’s “close associate.”“Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Airstrike Against ISIL Senior Leader,” U.S. Department of Defense, September 16, 2016, http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/946983/statement-from-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-on-airstrike-against-isil-se.

Fayad was targeted and killed in a September 7, 2016, U.S. airstrike.“Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Airstrike Against ISIL Senior Leader,” U.S. Department of Defense, September 16, 2016, http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/946983/statement-from-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-on-airstrike-against-isil-se. ISIS confirmed his death on October 10, 2016.“Islamic State confirms death of propaganda chief: statement,” Reuters, October 10, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-islamic-state-idUSKCN12A2BU?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews.

Waleed Jassem al-Alwani—known by his alias Abu Ahmad al-Alwani—is a senior member of ISIS.Isabel Coles and Ned Parker, “How Saddam’s men help Islamic State rule,” Reuters, December 11, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/mideast-crisis-iraq-islamicstate/. In November 2014, Alwani was reported to be the head of ISIS’s military council.Richard Barrett, “The Islamic State,” Soufan Group, November 2014, 31, http://soufangroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TSG-The-Islamic-State-Nov14.pdf. He previously served as the council’s chief of staff, and before that, is reported to have overseen ISIS’s activities in Iraq’s Diyala province.“Exclusive: Top ISIS leaders revealed,” Al Arabiya, February 13, 2014, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/2014/02/13/Exclusive-Top-ISIS-leaders-revealed.html;
Richard Barrett, “The Islamic State,” Soufan Group, November 2014, 31, http://soufangroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TSG-The-Islamic-State-Nov14.pdf. During Saddam Hussein’s reign in Iraq, Alwani was reportedly a member of the Iraqi army.Richard Barrett, “The Islamic State,” Soufan Group, November 2014, 31, http://soufangroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TSG-The-Islamic-State-Nov14.pdf.

Alwani was reported deceased by London’s Sun in February 2015.Rhodri Phillips and David Willets, “Half of I.S. chiefs are wiped out in air raids,” Sun, February 2, 2015, https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/22401/half-of-i-s-chiefs-are-wiped-out-in-air-raids/. However, in December 2015, Reuters named Alwani as a “senior officer” in ISIS and made no mention of his reported death.Isabel Coles and Ned Parker, “How Saddam’s men help Islamic State rule,” Reuters, December 11, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/mideast-crisis-iraq-islamicstate/.

Ayad al-Jumaili was a senior ISIS leader who reported directly to ISIS caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.Isabel Coles and Ned Parker, “How Saddam’s men help Islamic State rule,” Reuters, December 11, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/mideast-crisis-iraq-islamicstate/. Jumaili was killed in a March 31, 2017, Iraqi airstrike in the region of al-Qaim near the Syrian border, according to Iraqi intelligence.“Islamic State second-in-command killed in airstrike, Iraqi intelligence says,” Reuters, April 1, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-islamicstate-idUSKBN1733IU/.

Before his death, Jumaili reportedly led ISIS’s international security unit known as “Emni”—contradicting reports that former ISIS spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, who died in an August 2016 airstrike, oversaw that unit.Isabel Coles and Ned Parker, “How Saddam’s men help Islamic State rule,” Reuters, December 11, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/mideast-crisis-iraq-islamicstate/. Emni, commonly referred to as “Amniya,” is responsible for exporting terror attacks internationally, including to Paris and Brussels.Rukmini Callimachi, “How a Secretive Branch of ISIS Built a Global Network of Killers,” New York Times, August 3, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/04/world/middleeast/isis-german-recruit-interview.html?_r=0. In the announcement of Jumaili’s death, Iraqi officials referred to the militant as ISIS’s second-in-command, as well as the group’s “minister of war.” Tajik fighter Gulmurod Khalimov, however, was reported in September 2016 to hold the “minister of war” title in the terror group.Nicola Harley, “Islamic State's deputy leader Ayad al-Jumaili killed in air strike, reports say,” Telegraph (London), April 1, 2017, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/01/islamic-states-deputy-leader-ayad-al-jumaili-killed-air-strike/;
Shehab Khan, “American-trained sniper becomes Isis’s new minister of war,” September 7, 2016, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/american-trained-sniper-isis-minister-of-war-gulmurod-khalimov-a7231121.html. According to NBC News, Jumaili’s ranking within ISIS was “not officially known.”“ISIS Second-in-Command Ayad al-Jumaili Killed in Airstrike: Iraqi Military,” NBC News, April 1, 2017, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/isis-second-command-ayad-al-jumaili-killed-airstrike-iraqi-military-n741536.

Jumaili, reportedly from Fallujah, previously served as an intelligence officer under Saddam Hussein. He is believed to have joined the insurgency following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.Isabel Coles and Ned Parker, “How Saddam’s men help Islamic State rule,” Reuters, December 11, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/mideast-crisis-iraq-islamicstate/.

Saudi national Tirad al-Jarba, a.k.a. Abu Muhammad al-Shimali, is a U.S.-, U.N.-, and EU-designated terrorist and a senior member of ISIS. According to the U.S. Department of State, Shimali served as the border chief of ISIS’s Immigration and Logistics Committee.Abu-Muhammad al-Shimali,” U.S. Department of State, accessed August 31, 2016, https://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/abu_al_shimali.html;
“Rewards for Justice – Reward Offer for Information on ISIL Terrorist Abu-Muhammad al-Shimali,” U.S. Department of State, November 18, 2015, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/11/249666.htm;
“Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1815,” Official Journal of the European Union,” October 10, 2015, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32015R1815. In this role, he reportedly facilitated the travel of foreign fighters into Syria from Turkey.Gordon Rayner, “US offers $5 million reward for Isil ‘gatekeeper’ who arranges terrorists’ safe passage from Syria,” Telegraph (London), November 19, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/12005623/US-offers-5-million-reward-for-Isil-gatekeeper-who-arranges-terrorists-safe-passage-from-Syria.html;
“Narrative Summaries of Reasons for Listing: QDi.370 Tarad Mohammad Aljarba,” United Nations Security Council, September 29, 2015, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/tarad-mohammad-aljarba. In September 2017, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it had killed Shimali in airstrikes in eastern Syria, though there has been no outside confirmation of Shimali’s death.“Russia Announces the Killing of The Leader Abu Muhammad al-Shimali in Daesh,” Al-Hurra, September 8, 2017, https://www.alhurra.com/a/Syria-Russian-airstrike-isis/390749.html.

Shimali had previously been floated in Western media as a possible successor to Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, ISIS’s former spokesman and head of its external operations unit. Following ISIS’s announcement of Adnani’s death on August 30, 2016, Syrian journalist Hassan Hassan named Shimali as Adnani’s “likely replacement” as head of the group’s external operations.Hassan Hassan, “Can IS survive killings of its core leadership?,” BBC News, September 1, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37244146. Although Shimali was ultimately passed up for the position of ISIS spokesman, he was reportedly serving as the emir of Syria’s Deir Ezzor province as of September 2017.“Russia Announces the Killing of The Leader Abu Muhammad al-Shimali in Daesh,” Al-Hurra, September 8, 2017, https://www.alhurra.com/a/Syria-Russian-airstrike-isis/390749.html.

As the border chief of ISIS’s Immigration and Logistics Committee, Shimali reportedly managed ISIS’s processing center for new recruits in Azaz, Syria, and facilitated the travel of foreign fighters from Australia, Europe, and elsewhere in the Middle East through the southern Turkish town of Gaziantep and into Syria.Abu-Muhammad al-Shimali,” U.S. Department of State, accessed August 31, 2016, https://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/abu_al_shimali.html;
“Rewards for Justice – Reward Offer for Information on ISIL Terrorist Abu-Muhammad al-Shimali,” U.S. Department of State, November 18, 2015, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/11/249666.htm. Given ISIS’s loss of Azaz and all of its other territories along the Turkish border, it remains unclear if Shimali continues to hold these positions.Bassem Mroue and Zeynep Bilginsoy, “Turkey: ISIS has lost all territory along Syria-Turkey border,” Military Times, September 4, 2016, https://www.militarytimes.com/2016/09/04/turkey-isis-has-lost-all-territory-along-syria-turkey-border/.

Shimali helped organize ISIS operations outside of the so-called caliphate since mid-2014. He is suspected by French authorities of having helped ISIS operatives travel to France from Syria in order to conduct the November 2015 Paris attacks that left 130 people dead and 350 wounded.Gordon Rayner, “US offers $5 million reward for Isil ‘gatekeeper’ who arranges terrorists’ safe passage from Syria,” Telegraph (London), November 19, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/12005623/US-offers-5-million-reward-for-Isil-gatekeeper-who-arranges-terrorists-safe-passage-from-Syria.html;
“Narrative Summaries of Reasons for Listing: QDi.370 Tarad Mohammad Aljarba,” United Nations Security Council, September 29, 2015, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/tarad-mohammad-aljarba.

Shimali was born in Iraq in 1979, but became a naturalized citizen of Saudi Arabia in 2003. According to the U.S. Department of State, Shimali began fighting alongside ISIS’s predecessor—al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI)—as early as 2005.Abu-Muhammad al-Shimali,” U.S. Department of State, accessed August 31, 2016, https://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/abu_al_shimali.html;
“Rewards for Justice – Reward Offer for Information on ISIL Terrorist Abu-Muhammad al-Shimali,” U.S. Department of State, November 18, 2015, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/11/249666.htm. Shimali was sanctioned by the United States and the United Nations for his activities with ISIS in September 2015.“Narrative Summaries of Reasons for Listing: QDi.370 Tarad Mohammad Aljarba,” United Nations Security Council, September 29, 2015, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/tarad-mohammad-aljarba;
“Treasury Sanctions Major Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Leaders, Financial Figures, Facilitators, and Supporters,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 29, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0188.aspx. He was added to the European Union’s Council Regulation list of individuals and entities associated with al-Qaeda the following month.“Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1815,” Official Journal of the European Union,” October 10, 2015, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32015R1815.

In September 2017, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that it had killed Shimali, three other senior ISIS leaders, and 40 fighters in airstrikes against the city of Deir Ezzor in eastern Syria.“Russia Announces the Killing of The Leader Abu Muhammad al-Shimali in Daesh,” Al-Hurra, September 8, 2017, https://www.alhurra.com/a/Syria-Russian-airstrike-isis/390749.html. No other party has confirmed or denied the Russian claims. Shimali’s status remains unknown.

Syrian national Ali Musa al-Shawakh, a.k.a. Abu Luqman, was a U.S.-, EU-, and U.N.-designated terrorist and ISIS’s former governor of Raqqa, Syria.“QDi.384Ali Musa al-Shawakh,” United Nations Security Council, February 29, 2016, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/ali-musa-al-shawakh;
“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 29, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20150929.aspx. Abu Luqman held a variety of positions in the group. In 2014, he served as the ISIS-appointed governor of Aleppo, as well as the senior security official for Syria. In these roles, he reportedly helped to appoint ISIS leadership and oversee the detention of foreign hostages.“QDi.384Ali Musa al-Shawakh,” United Nations Security Council, February 29, 2016, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/ali-musa-al-shawakh;
“Treasury Sanctions Major Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Leaders, Financial Figures, Facilitators, and Supporters,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 29, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0188.aspx;
“COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2016/307,” EUR-Lex, March 3, 2016, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016R0307. In early 2015, Abu Luqman reportedly served as a member of ISIS’s governance council, chaired by ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and was appointed governor of Raqqa that summer.“QDi.384Ali Musa al-Shawakh,” United Nations Security Council, February 29, 2016, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/ali-musa-al-shawakh. In early March 2017, Abu Luqman was reportedly promoted to wali (director) of emni (security and intelligence services) in Syria and Iraq.Asaad H. Almohammad and Anne Speckhard, “Abu Luqman – Father of the ISIS Emni: Its Organizational Structure, Current Leadership and Clues to its Inner Workings in Syria & Iraq,” International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism, April 12, 2017, http://www.icsve.org/research-reports/abu-luqman-father-of-the-isis-emni-its-organizational-structure-current-leadership-and-clues-to-its-inner-workings-in-syria-iraq/. Abu Luqman was reportedly killed in Syria by an Iraqi airstrike on April 23, 2018.Mohammed Ebraheem, “Iraqi Warplanes Kill Islamic State’s Second-in-Command in Syria,” Iraqi News, April 23, 2018, https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraqi-warplanes-kill-islamic-states-second-in-command-in-syria/; Natalie Goldberg, “Abu Luqman Al-Suri, ISIS Second In Command Killed In Airstrikes in Syria,” Strategic Intelligence Service, April 24, 2018, https://intelligencebriefs.com/abu-luqman-al-suri-isis-second-in-command-killed-in-airstrikes-in-syria/.

Abu Luqman was born in Sahl village in Raqqa province, Syria, in 1973. He was believed to hold a law degree. In 2002, Abu Luqman entered his mandatory military service as a first lieutenant in the Syrian Military Intelligence.Asaad H. Almohammad and Anne Speckhard, “Abu Luqman – Father of the ISIS Emni: Its Organizational Structure, Current Leadership and Clues to its Inner Workings in Syria & Iraq,” International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism, April 12, 2017, http://www.icsve.org/research-reports/abu-luqman-father-of-the-isis-emni-its-organizational-structure-current-leadership-and-clues-to-its-inner-workings-in-syria-iraq/. In 2005, he returned to Sahl, Raqqa, to teach Arabic and slowly radicalized. In 2010, the Syrian regime arrested and detained Abu Luqman in the infamous Sednaya Prison on charges of sedition linked to his sympathy for al-Qaeda in Iraq.Asaad H. Almohammad and Anne Speckhard, “Abu Luqman – Father of the ISIS Emni: Its Organizational Structure, Current Leadership and Clues to its Inner Workings in Syria & Iraq,” International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism, April 12, 2017, http://www.icsve.org/research-reports/abu-luqman-father-of-the-isis-emni-its-organizational-structure-current-leadership-and-clues-to-its-inner-workings-in-syria-iraq/. Abu Luqman was one of many jihadists released from prison as part of an amnesty program carried out by the Bashar al-Assad regime at the beginning of the Syrian rebellion.Charles Lister, “Islamic State Senior Leadership: Who’s Who,” Brookings Institute, October 20, 2014, https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/en_whos_who.pdf;
Jamie Dettmer, “Has ISIS Lost Its Head? Power Struggle Erupts with Al-Baghdadi Seriously Wounded,” Daily Beast, May 10, 2015, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/10/has-isis-lost-its-head-power-struggle-erupts-with-al-baghdadi-partially-paralyzed.html;
Eric Schmitt, Rukmini Callimachi, and Anne Bernard, “Spokesman’s Death Will Have Islamic State Turning to Its ‘Deep Bench,’” New York Times, August 31, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/world/middleeast/syria-isis-adnani.html. As a senior member of ISIS, Abu Luqman reportedly oversaw the group’s oil trade, deciding who receives the stolen fuel.Denoit Faucon and Ayla Albayrak, “Islamic State Funds Push Into Syria and Iraq With Labyrinthine Oil-Smuggling Operation,” Wall Street Journal, September 16, 2014, http://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-state-funds-push-into-syria-and-iraq-with-labyrinthine-oil-smuggling-operation-1410826325. According to ISIS defectors speaking in mid-2015, Abu Luqman was on the shortlist to become deputy to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.Jamie Detmer, “Has ISIS Lost its Head? Power Struggle Erupts with al-Baghdadi Seriously Wounded,” Daily Beast, May 5, 2015, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/10/has-isis-lost-its-head-power-struggle-erupts-with-al-baghdadi-partially-paralyzed.html. In August 2016, following ISIS’s announcement of the death of its spokesman, Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, Western media suggested that Abu Luqman might become Adnani’s successor.Eric Schmitt, Rukmini Callimachi, and Anne Bernard, “Spokesman’s Death Will Have Islamic State Turning to Its ‘Deep Bench,’” New York Times, August 31, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/world/middleeast/syria-isis-adnani.html?smid=tw-nytimesworld&smtyp=cur&_r=1. Some jihadists on social media speculated that Abu Luqman had killed Adnani as part of a struggle to succeed Baghdadi.Roula Khalaf, “End of the ISIS old guard signals more danger ahead,” Financial Times, September 7, 2016, http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1c781a38-743f-11e6-b60a-de4532d5ea35.html#axzz4K96THx5U. On September 12, 2016, however, the Pentagon confirmed that it had targeted and killed Adnani in an August 30 airstrike.“Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Strike Against ISIL Senior Leader,” Department of Defense, September 12, 2016, http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/941733/statement-from-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-on-strike-against-isil-senio.

Abu Luqman has been reported killed on several occasions, including in 2013 and 2015. In 2015, Syrian press agency ARA News reported that ISIS had executed Abu Luqman after he had participated in an attempted coup against the terror group in Raqqa. These reports were never officially confirmed.“Islamic State executes prominent members who planned coup,” ARA News, February 2, 2015, http://aranews.net/2015/02/islamic-state-executes-prominent-members-planned-coup/. Abu Luqman was believed to operate out of Raqqa before the city was captured by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces on October 17, 2017.“QDi.384Ali Musa al-Shawakh,” United Nations Security Council, February 29, 2016, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/ali-musa-al-shawakh. On April 23, 2018, Abu Luqman was reportedly killed in Syria by an Iraqi airstrike, according to an Iraqi intelligence source.Mohammed Ebraheem, “Iraqi Warplanes Kill Islamic State’s Second-in-Command in Syria,” Iraqi News, April 23, 2018, https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraqi-warplanes-kill-islamic-states-second-in-command-in-syria/; Natalie Goldberg, “Abu Luqman Al-Suri, ISIS Second In Command Killed In Airstrikes in Syria,” Strategic Intelligence Service, April 24, 2018, https://intelligencebriefs.com/abu-luqman-al-suri-isis-second-in-command-killed-in-airstrikes-in-syria/.

Abu Musab al-Barnawi was the U.S.-designated, ISIS-appointed leader of Boko Haram. On August 2, 2016—in the 41^st issue of its al-Naba magazine—ISIS announced that al-Barnawi had assumed leadership of the Nigerian terror group.“قطـع طريـق إمـداد الرافضـة إلـى معسـكر القيارة,” al-Naba, August 2, 2016, 8, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/the-islamic-state-e2809cal-nabacc84_-newsletter-4122.pdf. Two days after the announcement, Boko Haram’s long-time leader Abubakar Shekau released an audio message denying the leadership change. Shekau reportedly referred to ISIS’s announcement as a coup, and claimed that ISIS had not responded to messages warning that al-Barnawi was an “infidel” teaching “false creeds.”Associated Press, “Abubakar Shekau says he still leads Boko Haram,” USA Today, August 4, 2016, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/08/04/shekau-boko-haram-islamic-state/88071714/;
“Isis tries to impose new leader on Boko Haram in Nigeria,” Guardian (London), August 4, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/05/isis-tries-to-impose-new-leader-on-boko-haram-in-nigeria. Boko Haram split into two factions in 2016. Al-Barnawi led the faction loyal to ISIS, which became known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).Omar S Mahmood and Ndubuisi Christian Ani, “Factional Dynamics within Boko Haram,” Institute for Security Studies, July 2018, https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/2018-07-06-research-report-2.pdf. ISIS later replaced al-Barnawi as ISWAP’s leader in 2019 but later reappointed him to the position.Agence France-Presse, “Deposed Boko Haram leader detained not killed: sources,” France 24, March 15, 2019, https://www.france24.com/en/20190315-deposed-boko-haram-leader-detained-not-killed-sources; Jacob Zenn, “ISWAP Launches Hearts and Minds Strategy to Counter Nigerian Army Offensive,” Jamestown Foundation, June 4, 2021, https://jamestown.org/program/iswap-launches-hearts-and-minds-strategy-to-counter-nigerian-army-offensive/. On October 14, 2021, the Nigerian military released a statement confirming that al-Barnawi was dead.Chinedu Asadu, “Nigerian military says leader of IS-linked group is dead,” Associated Press, October 14, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/africa-chad-nigeria-islamic-state-group-boko-haram-6fcc3b1951a0bec957931e0f80279ab7.

Al-Barnawi was the son of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf. He previously served as the group’s spokesman, but reportedly defected in 2013 and joined Ansaru, Boko Haram’s dissident offshoot.Ludovica Iaccino, “Boko Haram splits as Abubakar Shekau and Abu Musab al-Barnawi fight for leadership,” International Business Times, August 4, 2016, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/boko-haram-splits-abubakar-shekau-abu-musab-al-barnawi-fight-leadership-1574271. Ansaru split from Boko Haram in 2012 because it reportedly disagreed with the group’s indiscriminate killing of Muslim civilians.“Boko Haram: Splinter group, Ansaru emerges,” Vanguard (Lagos), February 1, 2012, http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/02/boko-haram-splinter-group-ansaru-emerges;
Ludovica Iaccino, “Boko Haram splits as Abubakar Shekau and Abu Musab al-Barnawi fight for leadership,” International Business Times, August 4, 2016, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/boko-haram-splits-abubakar-shekau-abu-musab-al-barnawi-fight-leadership-1574271. However, Ansaru and Boko Haram have worked together “towards a common goal,” according to security analyst David Otto.Ludovica Iaccino, “Boko Haram splits as Abubakar Shekau and Abu Musab al-Barnawi fight for leadership,” nternational Business Times, August 4, 2016, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/boko-haram-splits-abubakar-shekau-abu-musab-al-barnawi-fight-leadership-1574271. In January 2015, al-Barnawi appeared in a Boko Haram video as the group’s spokesman,Agence France-Presse, “IS welcomes Boko Haram allegiance: tape,” Yahoo News, March 12, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/accepts-allegiance-nigeria-jihadists-boko-haram-201513146.html. indicating cooperation between the two groups.

On August 3, 2016, ISIS announced al-Barnawi had assumed leadership of Boko Haram.“Boko Haram in Nigeria: Abu Musab al-Barnawi named as new leader,” BBC News, August 3, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36963711. Later that day, Shekau released an audio statement denying ISIS’s claim, and referred to the announcement as a coup.Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Jacob Zenn, “Boko Haram’s Doomed Marriage to the Islamic State,” War on the Rocks, August 26, 2016, https://warontherocks.com/2016/08/boko-harams-doomed-marriage-to-the-islamic-state/; Maggie Fick, “Boko Haram dispute with Isis bursts into the open,” Financial Times, August 5, 2016, https://www.ft.com/content/bed19ac2-5a61-11e6-8d05-4eaa66292c32. Following the announcement, the group split into two factions— a Shekau-led Boko Haram and a Barnawi-headed ISWAP.Omar Mahmood and Ndubuisi Christian Ani, “Fractional Dynamics within Boko Haram,” Institute for Security Studies,” July 2018, p. 15, https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/2018-07-06-research-report-2.pdf.

In ISIS’s August 2016 article announcing Boko Haram’s new leadership, the newly elevated al-Barnawi reportedly threatened West African countries and referred to them as “crusaders.”“Boko Haram in Nigeria: Abu Musab al-Barnawi named as new leader,” BBC News, August 3, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36963711. He said that Boko Haram would cease attacks on mosques and markets, but that the group would target churches and murder Christians.Ludovica Iaccino, “Boko Haram splits as Abubakar Shekau and Abu Musab al-Barnawi fight for leadership,” International Business Times, August 4, 2016, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/boko-haram-splits-abubakar-shekau-abu-musab-al-barnawi-fight-leadership-1574271. ISIS made no mention of Shekau in its announcement regarding al-Barnawi.“Boko Haram in Nigeria: Abu Musab al-Barnawi named as new leader,” BBC News, August 3, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36963711;
“قطـع طريـق إمـداد الرافضـة إلـى معسـكر القيارة,” al-Naba, August 2, 2016, 8, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/the-islamic-state-e2809cal-nabacc84_-newsletter-4122.pdf. Given al-Barnawi’s role in ISWAP, the U.S. Department of State designated al-Barnawi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on February 28, 2018.“E.O. 13224 Designation of Abu Musab al-Barnawi aka Habib Yusuf as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” Federal Register, February 28, 2018, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/02/28/2018-04007/eo-13224-designation-of-abu-musab-al-barnawi-aka-habib-yusuf-as-a-specially-designated-global.

In February of 2019, al-Barnawi was reportedly removed as the leader of ISWAP. The move was allegedly in response to more radical members of ISWAP gaining control.“ISIS-backed Boko Haram faction allegedly gets new leader,” Punch, March 5, 2019, https://punchng.com/isis-backed-boko-haram-faction-allegedly-gets-new-leader/; “Deposed Boko Haram leader detained not killed: sources,” France 24, March 15, 2019, https://www.france24.com/en/20190315-deposed-boko-haram-leader-detained-not-killed-sources. Al-Barnawi was reportedly placed in the custody of the group’s new leadership.“ISIS-backed Boko Haram faction allegedly gets new leader,” Punch, March 5, 2019, https://punchng.com/isis-backed-boko-haram-faction-allegedly-gets-new-leader/; “Deposed Boko Haram leader detained not killed: sources,” France 24, March 15, 2019, https://www.france24.com/en/20190315-deposed-boko-haram-leader-detained-not-killed-sources. On March 4, 2019, Boko Haram announced that al-Barnawi was demoted to a member of the group’s shura council, and that Abu Abdullah Ibn Umar al-Barnawi (a.k.a. Ba Idrissa) replaced him as leader.Jacob Zenn, “Who is the Leader of ISWAP? – Confusion Continues Over Leadership of Islamic State in West Africa Province,” Jamestown Foundation Militant Leadership Monitor 10, no. 10, November 4, 2019, https://jamestown.org/brief/who-is-the-leader-of-iswap-confusion-continues-over-leadership-of-islamic-state-in-west-africa-province/. The leadership shake-up occurred against the backdrop of larger internal disputes within the organization. In early 2020, infighting within Boko Haram continued, and al-Barnawi’s successor, Ba Idrissa, was similarly purged.Jacob Zenn, “Islamic State in West Africa Province’s Factional Disputes and the Battle With Boko Haram,” The Jamestown Foundation Terrorism Monitor 18, no. 6, March 20, 2020, https://jamestown.org/program/islamic-state-in-west-africa-provinces-factional-disputes-and-the-battle-with-boko-haram/. According to the Multinational Joint Task Force, the leadership change was the result of an “internal crisis.”Agence France-Presse, “Deposed Boko Haram leader detained not killed: sources,” France 24, March 15, 2019, https://www.france24.com/en/20190315-deposed-boko-haram-leader-detained-not-killed-sources.

ISIS reinstalled al-Barnawi as leader of ISWAP in April 2021.Jacob Zenn, “ISWAP Launches Hearts and Minds Strategy to Counter Nigerian Army Offensive,” Jamestown Foundation, June 4, 2021, https://jamestown.org/program/iswap-launches-hearts-and-minds-strategy-to-counter-nigerian-army-offensive/. ISWAP and Boko Haram continued to violently clash, resulting in the death of Boko Haram leader Shekau the following month in a confrontation with ISWAP fighters.“ISWAP militant group says Nigeria’s Boko Haram leader is dead,” Reuters, June 7, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/islamic-state-west-african-province-says-nigerias-boko-haram-leader-is-dead-2021-06-06/. In June 2021, ISWAP released an audio message of al-Barnawi confirming Shekau’s death, which he said had been directly ordered by ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi.“ISWAP militant group says Nigeria’s Boko Haram leader is dead,” Reuters, June 7, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/islamic-state-west-african-province-says-nigerias-boko-haram-leader-is-dead-2021-06-06; Jason Burke, “Boko Haram leader killed on direct orders of Islamic State,” Guardian (London), June 7, 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/07/boko-haram-leader-abubakar-shekau-killed-on-direct-orders-of-islamic-state.

On October 14, 2021, Nigeria’s military confirmed that al-Barnawi was killed. However, the military did not provide details of the location of or circumstances leading to al-Barnawi’s death.Chinedu Asadu, “Nigerian military says leader of IS-linked group is dead,” Associated Press, October 14, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/africa-chad-nigeria-islamic-state-group-boko-haram-6fcc3b1951a0bec957931e0f80279ab7.

Muhammad al-Zawahiri—the younger brother of al-Qaeda Emir Ayman al-Zawahiri—is a suspected al-Qaeda associate currently on parole for terrorism charges in Egypt.“Mohamed al-Zawahiri released from prison for health reasons,” Mada Masr, February 24, 2016, http://www.madamasr.com/news/mohamed-al-zawahiri-released-prison-health-reasons. He was arrested in Cairo in August 2013 for allegedly forming and arming an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, as well as commanding militants in Cairo, the Nile Delta, and the Sinai Peninsula.Naomi Conrad, “Brother of al Qaeda leader al-Zawairi in Egypt’s dock,” Deutsche Welle, August 9, 2015, http://www.dw.com/en/brother-of-al-qaeda-leader-al-zawahiri-in-egypts-dock/a-18637549.

In a 2008 interview with al-Qaeda’s media department As-Sahab, Ayman al-Zawahiri recalled Muhammad’s previous participation in “our jihadi group”—referring to what would become Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ).As-Sahab, “The Open Meeting with Shaykh Ayman al-Zawahiri: Part One,” Washington Post, 2008, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/world/OpenMeetingZawahiri_Part1.pdf. According to Western media, Muhammad al-Zawahiri joined EIJ in the late 1970s, when that group officially formed. EIJ carried out armed attacks on Egyptian Government and military facilities, as well as on U.S. targets in the region.Naomi Conrad, “Brother of al Qaeda leader al-Zawairi in Egypt’s dock,” Deutsche Welle, August 9, 2015, http://www.dw.com/en/brother-of-al-qaeda-leader-al-zawahiri-in-egypts-dock/a-18637549.  Muhammad al-Zawahiri served as the group’s military commander until its 2001 union with Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda.Nic Robertson, “Exclusive: Al Qaeda leader’s brother offers peace plan,” CNN, September 11, 2012, http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/10/world/meast/zawahiri-peace-plan/.

In 1981, an Egyptian court named Muhammad al-Zawahiri as a conspirator in the assassination of former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. Al-Zawahiri was later acquitted in absentia while working at a construction firm in Saudi Arabia.“Black Hole: The Fate of Islamists Rendered to Egypt,” Human Rights Watch, May 2005, https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/egypt0505/egypt0505.pdf;
Naomi Conrad, “Brother of al Qaeda leader al-Zawairi in Egypt’s dock,” Deutsche Welle, August 9, 2015, http://www.dw.com/en/brother-of-al-qaeda-leader-al-zawahiri-in-egypts-dock/a-18637549. In Saudi Arabia, al-Zawahiri joined the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO), a social welfare charity“Black Hole: The Fate of Islamists Rendered to Egypt,” Human Rights Watch, May 2005, https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/egypt0505/egypt0505.pdf. that the United States has accused of funding al-Qaeda-linked groups including the Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah.“Additional Background Information on Charities Designated Under Executive 13224 – International Islamic Relief Organization,” U.S. Department of Treasury, accessed June 29, 2016, http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/terrorist-illicit-finance/Pages/protecting-charities_execorder_13224-i.aspx. Al-Zawahiri worked as an architect for the organization, traveling to various countries including Indonesia and Malawi.“Black Hole: The Fate of Islamists Rendered to Egypt,” Human Rights Watch, May 2005, https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/egypt0505/egypt0505.pdf. He was also stationed at the IIRO office in Albania where he furthered al-Qaeda’s agenda in the Balkans, according to author Eduart Bala.Eduart Bala, “The Financing of Islamist Groups in Albania,” Financing Terrorism: Case Studies, ed. Dr. Michael Freeman, (Burlington: Ashgate, 2013), Chapter 11, https://books.google.com/books?id=lQFhQpE0ye4C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false.

In the early 1990s, al-Zawahiri moved his family to Yemen and then to Sudan, fearing arrest in Saudi Arabia after the kingdom’s authorities arrested and extradited an Egyptian imam.“Black Hole: The Fate of Islamists Rendered to Egypt,” Human Rights Watch, May 2005, https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/egypt0505/egypt0505.pdf. In Sudan, al-Zawahiri reunited with his brother, who had been living in exile there. In May 1996, the Sudanese government expelled all EIJ members after they plotted and carried out attacks in Islamabad, Pakistan, and murdered two boys for allegedly spying on them for Egyptian intelligence.Clark McCauley and Sophia Moskalenko, Friction: How Radicalization Happens to Them and Us (Oxford University Press, 2011), 204. Ayman fled to Afghanistan, and Muhammad returned to Yemen with his wife and children.“Black Hole: The Fate of Islamists Rendered to Egypt,” Human Rights Watch, May 2005, https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/egypt0505/egypt0505.pdf. In Yemen, al-Zawahiri hosted U.S.-designated senior al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) official Ibrahim al-Banna and other al-Qaeda figures. According to Banna, Zawahiri was responsible for organizing the Egyptian youth and integrating them into Yemeni society.Thomas Joscelyn, “State Department designates founding member of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula,” Long War Journal, January 6, 2017, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/01/state-department-designates-founding-member-of-al-qaeda-in-the-arabian-peninsula.php.

In April 1999, Muhammad al-Zawahiri was arrested in the United Arab Emirates and rendered to Egypt. There are few publically available details on his arrest, which coincided with the end of a mass trial in Egyptian military court regarding the 1981 assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.“Black Hole: The Fate of Islamists Rendered to Egypt,” Human Rights Watch, May 2005, https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/egypt0505/egypt0505.pdf. Al-Zawahiri spent nearly four-and-a-half years in the custody of Egyptian intelligence, after which he was transferred to the Ministry of the Interior’s State Security.“Black Hole: The Fate of Islamists Rendered to Egypt,” Human Rights Watch, May 2005, https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/egypt0505/egypt0505.pdf. He was released in May 2012 after spending nearly 14 years in prison on charges of terrorism and involvement in Sadat’s assassination.Nic Robertson, “Exclusive: Al Qaeda leader’s brother offers peace plan,” CNN September 11, 2012, http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/10/world/meast/zawahiri-peace-plan/. According to the human rights organization Human Rights Watch, al-Zawahiri was sentenced to be executed in 1999, but the punishment was never carried out. He reportedly remained in legal uncertainty for most of his time in custody.“Black Hole: The Fate of Islamists Rendered to Egypt,” Human Rights Watch, May 2005, https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/egypt0505/egypt0505.pdf. Upon release, he organized protests in condemnation of the West and appeared in interviews with various media outlets.Naomi Conrad, “Brother of al Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri in Egypt’s dock,” Deutsche Welle, August 9, 2015, http://www.dw.com/en/brother-of-al-qaeda-leader-al-zawahiri-in-egypts-dock/a-18637549.

On September 11, 2012, al-Zawahiri reportedly led EIJ and al-Gama’a al-Islamiyya (Islamic Group or IG) members in a protest outside of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.Christoph Sydow, “Violent Protests in Egypt and Libya: Deadly Attack Evokes Uncomfortable Memories,” Spiegel Online, September 12, 2012, http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/muhammad-film-triggers-violent-protests-in-cairo-and-benghazi-a-855484.html. The protest was reportedly sparked by the film “Innocence of Muslims,” which was circulated online and found to be offensive to some Muslims.CNN Wire Staff, “Protestors attack US. Diplomatic compounds in Egypt, Libya,” CNN, September 12, 2012, http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/11/world/meast/egpyt-us-embassy-protests/. That same day, al-Zawahiri gave an exclusive interview to CNN during which he volunteered to mediate a 10-year truce between Islamists and the West. Under his proposal, the United States and the West would release all Islamist prisoners, end its so-called war on Islam, stop interfering in Muslim education, and cease intervention in Muslim lands. In exchange, Islamists would end attacks on Western and U.S. interests, protect legitimate Western and U.S. interests in Muslim lands, and cease provoking the United States and the West.Nic Robertson, “Exclusive: Al Qaeda leader’s brother offers peace plan,” CNN, September 11, 2012, https://www.cnn.com/2012/09/10/world/meast/zawahiri-peace-plan/.

Al-Zawahiri has also made numerous statements condemning French intervention in Mali. On January 18, 2013, he organized a protest in front of the French embassy in Cairo and told an Agence France-Presse reporter that France was “at war against Islam.”Thomas Joscelyn, “The younger Zawahiri protests France’s ‘war against Islam’,” Long War Journal, January 18, 2013, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/01/the_younger_zawahiri_protests.php. In the same month, he told German newspaper Die Zeit that he was “completely in agreement with my brother’s [Ayman al-Zawahiri] thoughts and actions,” and that “Muslims should be governed only by Allah’s sharia.”Fritz Schaap, “Auge um Auge,” Die Zeit (Hamburg), January 31, 2013, http://www.zeit.de/2013/06/Interview-Islamist-al-Sawahiri.

Egyptian authorities arrested al-Zawahiri and over 60 others in August 2013. The group was charged with forming an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist cell and plotting attacks. Specifically, al-Zawahiri was charged with establishing an extremist group, arming militants, and conducting explosives training at clandestine camps in Cairo and the Nile Delta.Naomi Conrad, “Brother of al Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri in Egypt’s dock,” Deutsche Welle, August 9, 2015, http://www.dw.com/en/brother-of-al-qaeda-leader-al-zawahiri-in-egypts-dock/a-18637549. Authorities also claimed he had commanded militants in the Sinai Peninsula.Associated Press, “Mohammed Al-Zawahiri, Brother of Al-Qaeda Chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri Reportedly Detained in Egypt,” CBS News, August 17, 2013, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mohammed-al-zawahri-brother-of-qaeda-chief-ayman-al-zawahri-arrested-in-egypt/.

In October 2015, the South Cairo Court acquitted al-Zawahiri of his charges but sentenced 10 of his codefendants to death.Elizabeth Whitman, “Egypt War on Terror: Al Qaeda Leader Zawahiri’s Brother Acquitted Of Terrorism-Related Charges, Amid Growing Security Threats,” International Business Times, October 15, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.com/egypt-war-terror-al-qaeda-leader-zawahiris-brother-acquitted-terrorism-related-2142159. Al-Zawahiri reportedly remained in detention in connection to separate charges of establishing an al-Qaeda-linked terror cell.Ramadan Al Sherbini, “Al Qaida chief brother acquitted in terror trial,” Gulf News, October 15, 2015, http://gulfnews.com/news/mena/egypt/al-qaida-chief-brother-acquitted-in-terror-trial-1.1601203. The cell was known as the Zawahiri cell. In February 2016, al-Zawahiri was reportedly released from prison due to health concerns. He was placed on parole pending trial and required to check in with a parole officer every 45 days until the conclusion of his trial..“Mohamed al-Zawahiri released from prison for health reasons,” Mada Masr, February 24, 2016, http://www.madamasr.com/news/mohamed-al-zawahiri-released-prison-health-reasons.

Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a CIA drone strike in Afghanistan on July 31, 2022.Matthew Lee, Nomaan Merchant, Mike Balsamo, and James Laporta, “Biden: Drone strike on al-Qaida leader delivered ‘justice,’” Associated Press, August 1, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/ayman-al-zawahri-al-qaida-terrorism-biden-36e5f10256c9bc9972b252849eda91f2.

Russian-born Akhmed Chatayev was a U.S.- and U.N.-designated member of ISIS, and the suspected mastermind of the June 28, 2016, Istanbul airport bombings, according to American officials.“Treasury Sanctions Individuals Affiliated With Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and Caucasus Emirate,” U.S. Department of State, October 5, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0199.aspx;
“Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Names of Six Individuals to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations Security Council, October 2, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12067.doc.htm;
Will Stewart, “Was one-armed Chechen warlord behind Istanbul airport attack? Bearded 'terror mastermind' fled Russia 12 years ago before settling in Turkey as ISIS recruiter, security services say,” Daily Mail (London), June 30, 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3667783/Was-one-armed-Chechen-warlord-Istanbul-airport-attack-Bearded-terror-mastermind-fled-Russia-12-years-ago-settling-Turkey-ISIS-recruiter-security-services-say.html;
Associated Press, “US congressman: Chechen extremist behind Istanbul attack,” New York Times, July 1, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/07/01/world/europe/ap-eu-turkey-airport-blasts.html. In October 2015, the United Nations announced sanctions targeting Chatayev, and claimed that he had operated out of ISIS-controlled territory since at least August 2015.“Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Names of Six Individuals to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations Security Council, October 2, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12067.doc.htm. According to the U.S. Treasury, Chatayev commanded the Yarmouk Battalion, a Chechen faction of ISIS“Treasury Sanctions Individuals Affiliated With Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and Caucasus Emirate,” U.S. Department of State, October 5, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0199.aspx. allegedly comprised of 130 militants.“Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Names of Six Individuals to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations Security Council, October 2, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12067.doc.htm. He also reportedly planned attacks on U.S. and Turkish targets from ISIS-controlled territory.“Treasury Sanctions Individuals Affiliated With Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and Caucasus Emirate,” U.S. Department of State, October 5, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0199.aspx. Chatayev was twice charged with illegally possessing explosives, first in Sweden in 2008“One-armed ISIS commander eyed as mastermind of Istanbul massacre,” Fox News, June 30, 2016, http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/06/30/one-armed-isis-commander-eyed-as-mastermind-istanbul-massacre.html. and then in Georgia in 2012.“Human Rights Center Demands Freedom of Akhmed Chataev,” Humanrighters.ge, October 23, 2012, http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=15790&lang=eng. In February 2015, Chatayev appeared in pro-ISIS video alongside a fellow ISIS militant.“QDi.365Akhmed Rajapovich Chataev,” United Nations, October 2, 2015, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/akhmed-rajapovich-chataev;
“Russian Citizen Linked To Lopota Gorge Incident Now Heads IS Battalion In Syria,” RFERL, February 25, 2015, http://www.rferl.mobi/a/russia-lopota-gorge-incident-islamic-state-syria/26869379.html. In November 2017, he was killed in a clash with Georgian special forces in Tbilisi.“Wanted Chechen IS Jihadist Chatayev Killed in Georgia Siege,” BBC News, December 1, 2017, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42193273.

While in ISIS-controlled territory, Chatayev reportedly trained Russian-speaking ISIS militants with the intention of sending them to Russia in order to establish ISIS cells and wage attacks.“QDi.365Akhmed Rajapovich Chataev,” United Nations, October 2, 2015, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/akhmed-rajapovich-chataev. In the days following the Istanbul bombings, Turkish authorities claimed that the suicide bombers had traveled to Turkey from the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, Syria, and that ISIS leadership had most likely planned the attack.Faith Karimi, Steve Almasy and Gul Tuysuz, “ISIS leadership involved in Istanbul attack planning, Turkish source says,” CNN, June 30, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/europe/turkey-istanbul-ataturk-airport-attack/.

According to the United Nations, Chatayev left Russia for Austria in 2001. From Austria, he allegedly provided financial support to militants fighting in the North Caucasus.“QDi.365Akhmed Rajapovich Chataev,” United Nations, October 2, 2015, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/akhmed-rajapovich-chataev. Other reports claim that Chatayev fled Russia to Austria in 2004, and that he was granted refugee status there.Will Stewart, “Was one-armed Chechen warlord behind Istanbul airport attack? Bearded 'terror mastermind' fled Russia 12 years ago before settling in Turkey as ISIS recruiter, security services say,” Daily Mail (London), June 30, 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3667783/Was-one-armed-Chechen-warlord-Istanbul-airport-attack-Bearded-terror-mastermind-fled-Russia-12-years-ago-settling-Turkey-ISIS-recruiter-security-services-say.html. In 2008, Chatayev was reportedly arrested in Sweden for illegally possessing explosives, Kalashnikov guns, and bullets. After a year in Swedish prison, he moved to Ukraine, where he was arrested on a warrant from Russian police. He was reportedly deported to Georgia.“One-armed ISIS commander eyed as mastermind of Istanbul massacre,” Fox News, June 30, 2016, http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/06/30/one-armed-isis-commander-eyed-as-mastermind-istanbul-massacre.html.

In 2012, Georgian authorities detained Chatayev following a battle between militants and Georgian forces known as the “Lopota Gorge Incident.”“Interior Ministry: One Lopota Gorge Gunman Detained,” Civil.ge, September 8, 2012, http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25194; “Russian Citizen Linked To Lopota Gorge Incident Now Heads IS Battalion In Syria,” RFERL, February 25, 2015, http://www.rferl.mobi/a/russia-lopota-gorge-incident-islamic-state-syria/26869379.html. A Georgian prosecutor subsequently charged Chatayev with illegal possession of explosives,“Human Rights Center Demands Freedom of Akhmed Chataev,” Humanrighters.ge, October 23, 2012, http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=15790&lang=eng. though he was ultimately acquitted of charges in January 2013.“Akhmed Chatayev acquitted,” Georgia Times, January 18, 2014, http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/news/85571.html. Later, in Turkey, Chatayev was reported to have led the militia of Chechen Islamist Doku Imarov, though the dates of his alleged time in Turkey are unclear.Will Stewart, “Was one-armed Chechen warlord behind Istanbul airport attack? Bearded 'terror mastermind' fled Russia 12 years ago before settling in Turkey as ISIS recruiter, security services say,” Daily Mail (London), June 30, 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3667783/Was-one-armed-Chechen-warlord-Istanbul-airport-attack-Bearded-terror-mastermind-fled-Russia-12-years-ago-settling-Turkey-ISIS-recruiter-security-services-say.html.

Chatayev was reportedly missing his right arm and left leg. He was wanted by Russian authorities for terrorist attacks perpetrated in that country.“Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Names of Six Individuals to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations Security Council, October 2, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12067.doc.htm;
Will Stewart, “Was one-armed Chechen warlord behind Istanbul airport attack? Bearded 'terror mastermind' fled Russia 12 years ago before settling in Turkey as ISIS recruiter, security services say,” Daily Mail (London), June 30, 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3667783/Was-one-armed-Chechen-warlord-Istanbul-airport-attack-Bearded-terror-mastermind-fled-Russia-12-years-ago-settling-Turkey-ISIS-recruiter-security-services-say.html.

In late November 2017, Chatayev was killed alongside two other suspected terrorists by Georgian special forces in Tbilisi.Margarita Antidze, “Suspected Istanbul Airport Bomber Thought Killed in Georgia: Three Sources,” Reuters, November 28, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-georgia-islamic-state/suspected-istanbul-airport-bomber-thought-killed-in-georgia-three-sources-idUSKBN1DS1Y3; “Wanted Chechen IS Jihadist Chatayev Killed in Georgia Siege,” BBC News, December 1, 2017, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42193273. Georgia’s State Security Service later confirmed that he killed himself by detonating a suicide vest during the raid on an apartment block in Tbilisi’s Isani district. Chatayev’s identity was confirmed through DNA and fingerprint analysis in cooperation with U.S. law enforcement.“Chatayev Among Killed Suspects, Security Service Confirms,” Civil Georgia, January 12, 2017, https://civil.ge/archives/218877.