Esmail Khatib is the U.S.-designated head of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS). The MOIS is one of the main security services of the Iranian government.“Designating Iran’s Morality Police and Seven Officials for Human Rights Abuses in Iran,” U.S. Department of State, September 22, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designating-irans-morality-police-and-seven-officials-for-human-rights-abuses-in-iran. On September 9, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Khatib as a Specially Designated National (SDN) pursuant to cybersecurity authorities for acting or reportedly acting on the behalf of the MOIS.“Treasury Sanctions Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Minister for Malign Cyber Activities,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 9, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0941. The Treasury Department further amended Khatib’s designation on September 22 to include his role in being complicit in the commission of serious human rights abuses against Iranian citizens or residents.“Designating Iran’s Morality Police and Seven Officials for Human Rights Abuses in Iran,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 22, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designating-irans-morality-police-and-seven-officials-for-human-rights-abuses-in-iran.

Khatib reportedly began his seminary studies in the holy city of Qom in 1975 or early 1976. After the 1979 Revolution and the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980, Khatib enlisted in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence unit, Iran’s military institution that is tasked with defending the Iranian regime against internal and external threats.“In favor of the proposed Minister of Information/Zanganeh: Mehdi Hashemi's case was investigated during Khatib's administration in Qom Intelligence/ The outcome of the parliament should benefit the people,” Fars News, https://www.farsnews.ir/news/14000531000208/%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%82-%D9%88%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D9%BE%DB%8C%D8%B4%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B2%D9%86%DA%AF%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%85%D9%87%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B4%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AA.

In 1985 or early 1986, Khatib joined MOIS, Iran’s premier intelligence service at the time. Shortly after, in the early 1990s, Khatib took on the role of director of the Intelligence Ministry’s branch in Qom Province, holding the role for more than a decade.“Esmail Khatib,” Iranian Regime Frauds Manipulations Atrocities Threats,” IFMAT, August 13, 2021, https://www.ifmat.org/08/13/esmail-khatib. In 2010, Khatib was appointed to the Office of Supreme Leader Protection Organization. The unit was in charge of facility and personnel protection for Ayatollah Khamenei’s inner circle. A couple of years later in 2012, Khatib was appointed director of the Judiciary branch Intelligence Protection Center, a branch that reportedly oversaw judiciary personnel.“Esmail Khatib: Islamic Republic of Iran Minister of Intelligence,” United Against Nuclear Iran, https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/esmail-khatib-islamic-republic-of-iran-minister-of-intelligence.

Khatib was selected as minister of intelligence and security in August 2021, under the administration of President Ebrahim Raisi.“Iran File,” Critical Threats, August 18, 2021, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/iran-file/iran-file-meet-the-raisi-administration. Under Khatib’s leadership, the MOIS has negatively responded to human rights defenders, specifically cracking down on women-rights activists, journalists, filmmakers, and members of religious minority groups. During Khatib’s tenure, the MOIS has also aggressively persecuted individuals—as well as their families—reporting on human rights abuses and violations in Iran, later subjected them to torture in secret detention centers. On September 9, 2022, the U.S. Treasury Department designated the MOIS and Khatib for engaging in cyber-enabled activities against the United States and its allies.Treasury Sanctions Iran’s Morality Police and Senior Security Officials for Violence Against Protesters and the Death of Mahsa Amini,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 9, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0969.

The MOIS is one part of Iran’s extensive security apparatus, which among others, includes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij. The IRGC is an Iranian government agency tasked with defending the regime against internal and external threats, of which the Basij, is a paramilitary organization charged with channeling popular support for the Iranian regime.“Designating Iran’s Morality Police and Seven Officials for Human Rights Abuses in Iran,” U.S. Department of State, September 22, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designating-irans-morality-police-and-seven-officials-for-human-rights-abuses-in-iran. In September 2022, the IRGC and the Basij joined in violently suppressing protests that erupted after the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died in custody after being detained by Tehran’s morality police, the Guidance Patrol, earlier in the month. The Guidance Patrol sent Amini to a detention center to undergo re-education when they claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. She died three days later. In response, protests erupted across the country against Iran’s theocratic rule. On September 22, the IRGC issued a statement of support for Iranian police in combating the protests and accused protesters of sedition. At least 57 protesters were killed since the protests began after confrontations with Iranian security forces, but information has been limited due to disrupted and limited Internet access throughout the country.Arsalan Shahla, “Iran Launches Artillery Against Militants in Northern Iraq,” Bloomberg, September 24, 2022, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-24/iran-launches-artillery-against-militants-in-northern-iraq; “Exclusive: IRGC Commanders’ Families Placed in Tehran ‘Safe House,” Iran Wire, September 26, 2022, https://iranwire.com/en/iran/107958-exclusive-irgc-commanders-families-placed-in-tehran-safe-house; “IRGC will not hesitate to target origin of any anti-Iran operation wherever it may be: General,” Press TV, September 27, 2022, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/27/689915/IRGC-will-not-hesitate-target-origin-any-anti-Iran-operation-General; Caitlin McFall, “The Guardian Patrol sent Amini to a detention center to undergo re-education when they claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. She died three days later.,” Fox News, September 24, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/world/protestors-clash-revolutionary-guard-northern-iran-torch-irgc-base-reports; “Iran’s Guards Break Their Silence, Warn Protesters,” Iran International, September 22, 2022, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202209229946.

The Treasury Department further amended Khatib’s designation on September 22, 2022, to include Khatib’s role in being a person acting on behalf of the government of Iran who is responsible for or complicit in, or responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the commission of serious human rights abuses against persons in Iran or Iranian citizens or residents.“Treasury Sanctions Iran’s Morality Police and Senior Security Officials for Violence Against Protesters and the Death of Mahsa Amini,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 22, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0969.

Hafiz Dawlat Khan was a senior leader of the U.S.-designated Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).Munir Ahmed, “Officials: Pakistani militant leader killed in Afghanistan,” ABC News, August 8, 2022, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/officials-pakistani-militant-leader-killed-afghanistan-88091274. TTP is a Pakistan-based terror group that is the conglomerate of around 40 tribal and non-tribal Pakistani militant groups fighting against the state of Pakistan, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), and U.S.-led coalition forces.Amira Jadoon, “Allied & Lethal: Islamic State Khorasan’s Network and Organizational Capacity in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, December 2018, https://ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Allied-Lethal-final.pdf; Amira Jadoon, “The Evolution and Potential Resurgence of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan,” United States Institute of Peace, May 2021, https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/sr_494-the_evolution_and_potential_resurgence_of_the_tehrik_i_taliban_pakistan.pdf. On August 8, 2022, Khan was killed in a roadside explosion in Paktika province, Afghanistan.Mushtaq Yusufzai and Jennifer Jett, “Pakistani militant leader with $3 million U.S. bounty killed in Afghanistan, sources say,” NBC News, August 9, 2022, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pakistan-militant-leader-killed-afghanistan-rcna42155.

Khan was TTP’s emir of Kurram province.“Public Annex B,” International Criminal Court, September 2, 2018, https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/RelatedRecords/CR2018_00961.PDF. However, in October 2014, five TTP regional emirs, including Khan, reportedly left the group and joined ISIS’s new branch in Pakistan—Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K). The emirs reportedly opposed peace talks with Islamabad.Bill Roggio, “Pakistani Taliban emir for Bajaur joins Islamic State,” Long War Journal, February 2, 2015, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/02/pakistani_taliban_em.php. It is unclear when Khan realigned with the TTP, or if he ever did.

On August 8, 2022, a roadside bomb detonated in Paktika province, eastern Afghanistan, killing Khan and three other TTP militants, including Hassan Ali, Mufti Hassan Swati, and Hafiz Daulat. The TTP claimed Pakistani intelligence agents were responsible for the explosion.Pamela Constable, “Top Pakistani Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan; Shiites targeted in Kabul,” Washington Post, August 8, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/08/pakistan-taliban-leader-strike-afghanistan-shiite; Munir Ahmed, “Officials: Pakistani militant leader killed in Afghanistan,” ABC News, August 8, 2022, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/officials-pakistani-militant-leader-killed-afghanistan-88091274.

Mufti Hassan Swati was a senior leader of the U.S. designated Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).Munir Ahmed, “Officials: Pakistani militant leader killed in Afghanistan,” ABC News, August 8, 2022, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/officials-pakistani-militant-leader-killed-afghanistan-88091274. TTP is a Pakistan-based terror group that is the conglomerate of around 40 tribal and non-tribal Pakistani militant groups fighting against the state of Pakistan, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), and U.S.-led coalition forces.Amira Jadoon, “Allied & Lethal: Islamic State Khorasan’s Network and Organizational Capacity in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Combating Terrorism Center, December 2018, https://ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Allied-Lethal-final.pdf; Amira Jadoon, “The Evolution and Potential Resurgence of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan,” United States Institute of Peace, May 2021, https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/sr_494-the_evolution_and_potential_resurgence_of_the_tehrik_i_taliban_pakistan.pdf. On August 8, 2022, Swati was killed in a roadside explosion in Paktika province, Afghanistan.Mushtaq Yusufzai and Jennifer Jett, “Pakistani militant leader with $3 million U.S. bounty killed in Afghanistan, sources say,” NBC News, August 9, 2022, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pakistan-militant-leader-killed-afghanistan-rcna42155.

Swati was TTP’s emir of Peshawar province.Pazeer Gull, “‘TTP Peshawar chief’ owns up to Tuesday’s sectarian attack,” Dawn, February 6, 2014, https://www.dawn.com/news/1085226. Additionally, at some point Swati was appointed a member of the group’s supreme shura.Pazeer Gull, “‘TTP Peshawar chief’ owns up to Tuesday’s sectarian attack,” Dawn, February 6, 2014, https://www.dawn.com/news/1085226. While serving as the emir of Peshawar province, Swati directed a suicide attack targeting Shiites at a hotel in Kucha Risaldar, a Shia neighborhood of Peshawar on February 4, 2014. The suicide bombing killed nine and injured 50 others.Zahir Shah Sherazi, “Suicide blast near Imambargah kills nine, injures 50 in Peshawar,” Dawn, February 4, 2014, https://www.dawn.com/news/1084915/suicide-blast-near-imambargah-kills-at-least-nine-in-peshawar.

However, in October 2014, five TTP regional emirs, including Swati, reportedly left the group and joined ISIS’s new branch in Pakistan—Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K). The emirs reportedly opposed peace talks with Islamabad.Bill Roggio, “Pakistani Taliban emir for Bajaur joins Islamic State,” Long War Journal, February 2, 2015, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/02/pakistani_taliban_em.php. It is unclear when Swati realigned with the TTP, or if he ever did.

On August 8, 2022, a roadside bomb detonated in Paktika province, eastern Afghanistan, killing Swati and three other TTP militants, including Hassan Ali, Omar Khalid Khorasani, and Hafiz Daulat. The TTP claimed Pakistani intelligence agents were responsible for the explosion.Pamela Constable, “Top Pakistani Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan; Shiites targeted in Kabul,” Washington Post, August 8, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/08/pakistan-taliban-leader-strike-afghanistan-shiite; Munir Ahmed, “Officials: Pakistani militant leader killed in Afghanistan,” ABC News, August 8, 2022, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/officials-pakistani-militant-leader-killed-afghanistan-88091274.

Omar Khalid Khorasani was a senior leader of the U.S.-designated Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).“Abdul Wali,” Rewards for Justice, March 2018, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abdul-wali. The TTP is a Pakistan-based terror group that is the conglomerate of around 40 tribal and non-tribal Pakistani militant groups fighting against the state of Pakistan, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), and U.S.-led coalition forces.Amira Jadoon, Allied & Lethal: Islamic State Khorasan’s Network and Organizational Capacity in Afghanistan and Pakistan (West Point, NY: Countering Terrorism Center, 2018), 35, https://ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Allied-Lethal-final.pdf; Amira Jadoon, The Evolution and Potential Resurgence of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (Washington, DC: United States Institute of Peace, 2021), 6, https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/sr_494-the_evolution_and_potential_resurgence_of_the_tehrik_i_taliban_pakistan.pdf. On August 8, 2022, Khorasani was killed in an explosion in Paktika province, Afghanistan.Mushtaq Yusufzai and Jennifer Jett, “Pakistani militant leader with $3 million U.S. bounty killed in Afghanistan, sources say,” NBC News, August 9, 2022, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pakistan-militant-leader-killed-afghanistan-rcna42155.

Khorasani was born in Mohmand Agency, Pakistan. He then went on to study at several madrasas in Karachi before becoming a journalist and poet.“Abdul Wali,” Rewards for Justice, March 2018, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abdul-wali. It is uncertain when Khorasani joined the TTP’s ranks, but in August 2014, infighting within the terror group led Khorasani to establish and lead Jamaat ul-Ahrar (JuA), a militant faction affiliated with TTP.“Abdul Wali,” Rewards for Justice, March 2018, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abdul-wali. JuA targeted civilians, religious minorities, military personnel, and law enforcement.“State Department Terrorist Designations of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Mohamed Abrini,” U.S. Department of State, August 3, 2016, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/08/260790.htm. Despite continuing to operate separately from TTP, JuA realigned itself under the TTP network in March 2015.Animesh Roul, “Pakistan's Jamaat-ul-Ahrar: A Violent Domestic Threat,” Jamestown Foundation, September 16, 2016, https://www.refworld.org/docid/57dffc514.html.

Although Khorasani operated from Nangarhar and Kunar provinces in Afghanistan, JuA was one of the most active of TTP’s cells in Punjab Province, Pakistan, carrying out a series of deadly attacks, with the most violent attack occurring at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal amusement park in March 2016.Animesh Roul, “Pakistan's Jamaat-ul-Ahrar: A Violent Domestic Threat,” Jamestown Foundation, September 16, 2016, https://www.refworld.org/docid/57dffc514.html. The suicide attack took place during Easter and targeted Lahore’s Christian community, killing over 70 people and injuring hundreds more.“State Department Terrorist Designations of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Mohamed Abrini,” U.S. Department of State, August 3, 2016, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/08/260790.htm. Given JuA’s activity and Khorasani’s role in the group, in August 2016, JuA was designated by the U.S. Department of State as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), and on March 2018, the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program offered a reward of up to $3 million for information leading to the capture of Khorasani.“Abdul Wali,” Rewards for Justice, March 2018, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abdul-wali.

In May 2022, media sources reported that Khorasani began serving as one of the TTP’s negotiators in ceasefire talks with the Pakistani government.Pamela Constable, “Top Pakistani Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan; Shiites targeted in Kabul,” Washington Post, August 8, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/08/pakistan-taliban-leader-strike-afghanistan-shiite; Munir Ahmed, “Officials: Pakistani militant leader killed in Afghanistan,” ABC News, August 8, 2022, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/officials-pakistani-militant-leader-killed-afghanistan-88091274. The peace talks were hosted by Afghan Taliban leaders in Kabul, Afghanistan. Overall, the TTP wanted Pakistani government forces to pull out of former tribal regions of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, sought the release of TTP fighters in government custody, and wanted the revocation of all legal cases against the terror group. However, in the long run, Islamabad wanted the TTP to disband and to sever its ties with ISIS’s cells in Afghanistan and Pakistan.Munir Ahmed, “Officials: Pakistani militant leader killed in Afghanistan,” ABC News, August 8, 2022, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/officials-pakistani-militant-leader-killed-afghanistan-88091274.

On August 8, 2022, a roadside bomb detonated in Paktika province, eastern Afghanistan, killing Khorasani and three other TTP militants, including Hassan Ali, Mufti Hassan Swati, and Hafiz Daulat. The TTP claimed Pakistani intelligence agents were responsible for the explosion.Pamela Constable, “Top Pakistani Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan; Shiites targeted in Kabul,” Washington Post, August 8, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/08/pakistan-taliban-leader-strike-afghanistan-shiite; Munir Ahmed, “Officials: Pakistani militant leader killed in Afghanistan,” ABC News, August 8, 2022, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/officials-pakistani-militant-leader-killed-afghanistan-88091274.

Abu Abd al-Karim al-Masri is a senior leader of Hurras al-Din (HaD), an al-Qaeda affiliated group in Syria.“Abu ‘Abd al-Karim al-Masri,” Rewards for Justice, September 2019, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abu-abd-al-karim-al-masri/. The group was formed from a merger of seven hardline Syrian rebel factions on February 27, 2018.Tore Refslund Hamming and Pieter Van Ostaeyen, “The True Story of al-Qaeda’s Demise and Resurgence in Syria,” Lawfare, April 8, 2018, https://lawfareblog.com/true-story-al-qaedas-demise-and-resurgence-syria. HaD is largely based in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, but also maintains a presence in nearby provinces.“US Offers Bounty for Information on al-Qaida-Affiliated Militants in Syria,” Voice of America, September 12, 2019, https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_us-offers-bounty-information-al-qaida-affiliated-militants-syria/6175724.html.

According to media sources, al-Masri has been active in al-Qaeda for many years and was named as a member of the shura council for al-Qaeda’s general command.Thomas Joscelyn, “Analysis: Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Hurras al-Din reach a new accord,” Long War Journal, February 15, 2019, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/02/analysis-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-and-hurras-al-din-reach-a-new-accord.php. In December 2017, amidst disagreements between the al-Qaeda linked Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and burgeoning al-Qaeda splinter groups, al-Masri was named head of a reconciliation committee. The committee was a response to an initiative set up by al-Qaeda central seeking to eliminate infighting amongst al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist groups in Syria.Thomas Joscelyn, “Analysis: Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Hurras al-Din reach a new accord,” Long War Journal, February 15, 2019, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/02/analysis-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-and-hurras-al-din-reach-a-new-accord.php.

At some point in 2018, al-Masri was appointed a member of HaD’s shura council.“Abu ‘Abd al-Karim al-Masri,” Rewards for Justice, September 2019, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abu-abd-al-karim-al-masri/. Given continued infighting among al-Qaeda aligned groups in Syria, in November 2018, al-Masri established the “Holding Fast Committee”. Within the committee, and despite al-Masri’s ties to HaD, al-Masri served as a general mediator to resolve issues between HTS and HaD which had broken away from HTS.“Abu ‘Abd al-Karim al-Masri,” Rewards for Justice, September 2019, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abu-abd-al-karim-al-masri/; Sirwan Kajjo, “US Offers Bounty for Information on al-Qaida-Affiliated Militants in Syria,” Voice of America, September 12, 2019, https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_us-offers-bounty-information-al-qaida-affiliated-militants-syria/6175724.html.

According to media sources, there is a possibility that al-Masri is known as Abu ‘Abd al-Karim al-Gharbi within jihadist circles. If he is also known as al-Gharbi, al-Masri has undertaken a prominent role in commenting on Twitter and Telegram.Thomas Joscelyn, “Analysis: Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Hurras al-Din reach a new accord,” Long War Journal, February 15, 2019, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/02/analysis-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-and-hurras-al-din-reach-a-new-accord.php. One document that al-Masri/al-Gharbi has proliferated on al-Qaeda Telegram channels is a 52-page guide on how to conduct lone wolf attacks in the United States, and which was believed to have been authored in April 2017.Pieter Van Ostaeyen and Tore Hamming, “Jihadists Respond to Trump: “In al-Quds we meet”,” International Center for Counter-Terrorism, February 2, 2018, https://icct.nl/publication/jihadists-respond-to-trump-in-al-quds-we-meet/; “الابتكار الفنان في استهداف الأمريكان,” Scribd, https://www.scribd.com/doc/307098580/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86.

Given al-Masri’s prominent role within al-Qaeda and HaD, on September 12, 2019, the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice Program offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the capture of al-Masri.“Abu ‘Abd al-Karim al-Masri,” Rewards for Justice, September 2019, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abu-abd-al-karim-al-masri/.

Maher al-Agal was the leader of ISIS in Syria. On July 12, 2022, al-Agal was killed in a U.S. drone strike outside of Jindayris, northwestern Syria.“Strike conducted in Syria, U.S. Central Command Public Affairs,” U.S. Central Command, July 12, 2022, https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/3089938/strike-conducted-in-syria/.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, al-Agal served as a prominent commander for ISIS when the terror group controlled Raqqa. Al-Agal presumably rose within the ranks, as he eventually became the leader of ISIS in Syria and one of the terror network’s top five leaders. Within that role, al-Agal was responsible for expanding ISIS’s operations and outreach outside of Iraq and Syria.“Strike conducted in Syria, U.S. Central Command Public Affairs,” U.S. Central Command, July 12, 2022, https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/3089938/strike-conducted-in-syria/.

At some point in 2020, al-Agal moved to Afrin, northern Syria, where he aligned himself with Turkish-backed factions. Al-Agal proved himself to be militarily apt once again and became the commander of Ahrar al-Sharqiya, a U.S. sanctioned, Turkish-backed armed group in northern Syria. Among the group’s members are former ISIS leaders and fighters. The group has carried out numerous crimes against the Syrian Kurds, including unlawful killings, abductions, and torture.“US drone strike kills Islamic State Syria chief: Pentagon,” France 24, July 12, 2022, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220712-us-drone-strike-kills-islamic-state-syria-chief-pentagon; “Coalition drone attack | Former senior ISIS commander among two people killed in Afrin’s Jendires,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, July 12, 2022, https://www.syriahr.com/en/259214/; “Treasury Sanctions Syrian Regime Prisons, Officials, and Syrian Armed Group,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 28, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0292.

On July 12, 2022, the United States launched an airstrike that struck al-Agal while he was riding a motorcycle near Jindayris, northwestern Syria.“Pentagon says US drone strike kills 'IS' chief in Syria,” Deutsche Welle, July 12, 2022, https://www.dw.com/en/pentagon-says-us-drone-strike-kills-is-chief-in-syria/a-62446364. An unnamed affiliate of al-Agal—and a fellow senior ISIS official—was also injured in the strike. The senior official eventually succumbed to his injuries.Karoun Demirjian and Kareem Fahim, “Key Islamic State figure killed in Syria drone strike, U.S. says,” Washington Post, July 12, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/07/12/isis-leader-maher-al-agal-killed/.

Abu Hamzah al Yemeni was a senior leader of Hurras al-Din (HaD). HaD has carried out more than 200 attacks in Syria’s Idlib, Latakia, Hama, and Aleppo provinces, often in conjunction with other Syrian rebel factions.Aaron Y. Zelin, “Huras al-Din: The Overlooked al-Qaeda Group in Syria,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, September 24, 2019, https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/huras-al-din-the-overlooked-al-qaeda-group-in-syria. The group is avowedly loyal to al-Qaeda and its leadership is dominated by non-Syrian al-Qaeda veterans.“Twenty-Fourth Report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team Submitted Pursuant to Resolution 2368 (2017) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and Associated Individuals and Entities,” UN Security Council, June 27, 2019, 7-9, https://undocs.org/S/2019/570; Charles Lister, “The Syria Effect: Al-Qaeda Fractures,” Hudson Institute, December 11, 2019, https://www.hudson.org/research/15533-the-syria-effect-al-qaeda-fractures. On June 27, 2022, Yemeni was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Idlib, Syria.Bill Roggio, “U.S. strike targets senior Al Qaeda leader in Syria,” Long War Journal, June 27, 2022, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2022/06/u-s-strike-targets-senior-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria.php.

According to media sources, Yemeni was reportedly a military commander within HaD. Although media sources claimed Yemeni was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Idlib, Syria on September 20, 2021, his death was never confirmed by HaD.“US strike kills jihadist leader in Syria,” Al Monitor, June 28, 2022, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/06/us-strike-kills-jihadist-leader-syria#ixzz7XWtG2egk; Jeff Seldin, “US Strike Targets al-Qaida in Syria,” Voice of America, September 20, 2021, https://www.voanews.com/a/us-strike-targets-al-qaida-in-syria-/6236468.html.

On June 27, 2022, the U.S. forces launched an airstrike that killed Yemeni in Idlib, Syria. Yemeni was reportedly riding alone on a motorcycle at the time of the strike.Bassem Mroue, “US strike kills Yemeni al-Qaida-linked commander in Syria,” Associated Press, June 28, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-strike-kills-yemeni-al-qaida-linked-commander-in-syria/2022/06/28/de9944d6-f6af-11ec-81db-ac07a394a86b_story.html. The operation involved two Hellfire missiles launched from an unmanned aircraft.Gordon Lubold and Michael R. Gordon, “U.S. Kills Suspected Militant Linked to Al Qaeda in Syria,” Wall Street Journal, June 27, 2022, https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-kills-suspected-militant-linked-to-al-qaeda-in-syria-11656380309. There were no other casualties, but media sources claim members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a rival group of HaD, reportedly collected Yemeni's remains.“US strike kills jihadist leader in Syria,” Agence France Presse, June 28, 2022, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/06/us-strike-kills-jihadist-leader-syria.

According to media sources, the United States is “highly confident” that the strike killed Yemeni.Barbara Starr and Oren Liebermann, “US strikes al Qaeda-affiliated leader in Syria,” CNN, June 27, 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/27/politics/us-strikes-al-qaeda-affiliated-leader-syria/index.html. In a statement released by U.S. Central Command, the U.S. had reportedly been tracking Yemeni for a period of time as he was known to be active in Syria and in Iraq. Additionally, military officials claimed Yemeni had begun to expand the group’s operations outside of the region.Gordon Lubold and Michael R. Gordon, “U.S. Kills Suspected Militant Linked to Al Qaeda in Syria,” Wall Street Journal, June 27, 2022, https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-kills-suspected-militant-linked-to-al-qaeda-in-syria-11656380309.

Jafar Dicko is the leader of the U.S.-designated terrorist group, Ansarul Islam.“State Department Designation of Ansarul Islam,” U.S. Department of State, February 20, 2018, https://2017-2021.state.gov/state-department-designation-of-ansarul-islam/index.html. Dicko took over as leader of the Burkina Faso-based group when his brother, Ibrahim Malam Dicko, was killed in 2017.“Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures,” Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering, May 2019, https://www.fatf-gafi.org/media/fatf/documents/reports/mer-fsrb/GIABA-Mutual-Evaluation-Burkina-Faso-2019.pdf. Given Dicko’s role within Ansarul Islam, the European Union added Dicko to the EU’s sanctions list on June 20, 2022.EU fight against terrorism: one group and three individuals added to the EU sanctions list over terrorism,” Council of the European Union, June 20, 2022, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/20/eu-fight-against-terrorism-one-group-and-three-individuals-added-to-the-eu-sanctions-list-over-terrorism.

Ansarul Islam is a Burkinabe splinter group of the internationally designated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliated group.EU fight against terrorism: one group and three individuals added to the EU sanctions list over terrorism,” Council of the European Union, June 20, 2022, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/20/eu-fight-against-terrorism-one-group-and-three-individuals-added-to-the-eu-sanctions-list-over-terrorism. Dicko’s brother, Ibrahim Malam, was an ethnic Peul commander who founded the local insurgency in the northern provinces of Burkina Faso in 2016.“Ansaroul Islam,” Center for International Security and Cooperation, https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/ansaroul-islam. As of 2022, Ansarul Islam primarily consists of Peul fighters who mostly carry out attacks in northern and eastern Burkina Faso as well as near the borders of Mali and Niger.EU fight against terrorism: one group and three individuals added to the EU sanctions list over terrorism,” Council of the European Union, June 20, 2022, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/20/eu-fight-against-terrorism-one-group-and-three-individuals-added-to-the-eu-sanctions-list-over-terrorism; “Ansaroul Islam,” Center for International Security and Cooperation, https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/ansaroul-islam.

Ansarul Islam first claimed an attack against Burkinabe forces in December 2016, killing 12 soldiers in Nassoumbou. Additionally, the group is suspected to have close contact with members of Katibat Macina, an active insurgent group in Mali.“Katibat Macina,” European Council on Foreign Relations, https://ecfr.eu/special/sahel_mapping/katibat_macina.

According to media sources, Ibrahim Dicko died in May 2017 of thirst and exhaustion following a French-led raid in the jihadist group’s hideout in Foulsaré forest. Jafar Dicko, who was reportedly influenced by Amadou Koufa, the leader of Katibat Macina, quickly replaced his brother. Scholars on the region claim that Dicko lacked his brother’s leadership skills leading to less activity from the group.Pauline Le Roux, “Ansaroul Islam: The Rise and Decline of a Militant Islamist Group in the Sahel,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies, July 29, 2019, https://africacenter.org/spotlight/ansaroul-islam-the-rise-and-decline-of-a-militant-islamist-group-in-the-sahel. Given Dicko’s leadership of Ansarul Islam and his role in perpetuating terrorist attacks across West Africa, the European Union added Dicko to the EU’s sanctions list on June 20, 2022.Pauline Le Roux, “Ansaroul Islam: The Rise and Decline of a Militant Islamist Group in the Sahel,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies, July 29, 2019, https://africacenter.org/spotlight/ansaroul-islam-the-rise-and-decline-of-a-militant-islamist-group-in-the-sahel; “Jafar Dicko, le nouveau visage du djihadisme au Burkina Faso,” Le Monde, December 21, 2017, https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2017/12/21/jafar-dicko-le-nouveau-visage-du-djihadisme-au-burkina-faso_5232877_3212.html.

Stanislav Shevchuk is a U.S.-designated member of the proscribed terrorist group, the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM). RIM is an ultranationalist, quasi-paramilitary group based in St. Petersburg, Russia. RIM seeks to create a “mono-ethnic state” led by a “Russian autocratic monarchy.”“White Supremacy Extremism: The Transnational Rise of the Violent White Supremacist Movement,” Soufan Center, September 2019, https://thesoufancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Report-by-The-Soufan-Center-White-Supremacy-Extremism-The-Transnational-Rise-of-The-Violent-White-Supremacist-Movement.pdf; Lester Feder, Edgar Mannheimer, and Jane Lytvynenko, “These Swedish Nazis Trained in Russia before Bombing a Center for Asylum Seekers,” BuzzFeed News, July 22, 2017, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/lesterfeder/these-swedish-nazis-trained-in-russia#.jmj8rBGYv. Shevchuk reportedly serves as a representative for RIM. Given Shevchuk’s role in RIM, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Shevchuk as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and Specially Designated National (SDN) on June 15, 2022.“Designation of Anton Thulin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designation-of-anton-thulin-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist/; “Specially Designated National List Update,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220615.

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Shevchuk, a Europe-based Ukrainian, reportedly traveled to the United States in 2017 seeking to establish connections between RIM and U.S.-based far-right extremist and nationalist groups. Furthermore, the Treasury Department revealed that Shevchuk has spoken on behalf of RIM at rallies all throughout Europe since 2019. While at these rallies, Shevchuk publicly advocated for the group.“U.S. Sanctions Members of Russian Violent Extremist Group,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, June 15, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0817.

Given Shevchuk’s role in supporting RIM’s efforts, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Shevchuk as an SDGT and SDN on June 15, 2022.“Designation of Anton Thulin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designation-of-anton-thulin-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist/; “Specially Designated National List Update,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220615.

Anton Thulin is a U.S.-designated Swedish member of the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM), an ultranationalist, quasi-paramilitary group based in St. Petersburg, Russia, that seeks to create a “mono-ethnic state” led by a “Russian autocratic monarchy.”“White Supremacy Extremism: The Transnational Rise of the Violent White Supremacist Movement,” Soufan Center, September 2019, https://thesoufancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Report-by-The-Soufan-Center-White-Supremacy-Extremism-The-Transnational-Rise-of-The-Violent-White-Supremacist-Movement.pdf; Lester Feder, Edgar Mannheimer, and Jane Lytvynenko, “These Swedish Nazis Trained in Russia before Bombing a Center for Asylum Seekers,” BuzzFeed News, July 22, 2017, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/lesterfeder/these-swedish-nazis-trained-in-russia#.jmj8rBGYv. Thulin previously trained with RIM before assisting in an attempted bombing in Gothenburg in January 2017. Given Thulin’s activities, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Thulin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and Specially Designated National (SDN), respectively, on June 15, 2022.“Designation of Anton Thulin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designation-of-anton-thulin-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist/; “Specially Designated National List Update,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220615.

Thulin was formerly a member of the Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM), a transnational, neo-Nazi organization with official chapters operating in Sweden, Finland, and Norway.Øyvind Strømmen, “New report: Neo-Nazis in the North,” Hate Speech International, March 24, 2017, https://www.hate-speech.org/new-report-neo-nazis-in-the-north/. Thulin, along with his NRM associate, Viktor Melin, reportedly left NRM when they were dissatisfied with the leadership for not using violent means to achieve their goals.“US sanctions far-right Swede for links to Russian terror group,” The Local, June 16, 2022, https://www.thelocal.se/20220616/us-slaps-sanctions-far-right-swede-for-links-to-russian-terror-group/. In August 2016, Thulin and Melin traveled to St. Petersburg and received paramilitary training from RIM. RIM’s Partizan paramilitary training reportedly included tutorials in bomb-making.“Designation of Anton Thulin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designation-of-anton-thulin-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist/.

On January 25, 2017, a bomb failed to detonate at a refugee center in Torslanda, near Gothenburg in Sweden. Melin and Thulin reportedly planted the explosive which was intended to target newly arrived migrants and a left-wing group. Following an investigation by SÄPO—Sweden’s security service—Thulin and Melin were arrested in February and March of 2017, but the exact dates of their arrests were not reported.Jan M. Olsen, “Swedish right-wing extremists guilty of bomb attacks on migrants,” Associated Press, June 17, 2022, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/07/07/swedish-right-wing-extremists-guilty/458311001/.

On July 7, 2017, the Gothenborg District Court found Thulin guilty of providing components to explosives used in the Torslanda attack. Thulin was sentenced to 22 months in prison.Jan M. Olsen, “Swedish right-wing extremists guilty of bomb attacks on migrants,” Associated Press, July 7, 2017, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/07/07/swedish-right-wing-extremists-guilty/458311001/. After his release from prison, Thulin traveled to Poland to receive additional paramilitary training.“US sanctions far-right Swede for links to Russian terror group,” The Local, June 16, 2022, https://www.thelocal.se/20220616/us-slaps-sanctions-far-right-swede-for-links-to-russian-terror-group/. However, on November 7, 2019, Polish security services arrested Thulin on charges of attempting to participate in illegal weapons training.“Swedish right-wing radical to be expelled from Poland,” Associated Press, November 7, 2019, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/swedish-wing-radical-expelled-poland-66817208. Thulin was deported back to Sweden shortly afterwards as he was considered a “serious, real, and current threat to security and public order.”“Poland to deport Swedish neo-Nazi,” The Local, November 8, 2019, https://www.thelocal.se/20191108/poland-to-deport-swedish-neo-nazi/.

Given Thulin’s efforts in supporting ultranationalist and white supremacy groups in Russia, Sweden, and Poland, the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Treasury designated Thulin as an SDGT and SDN, respectfully, on June 15, 2022.“Designation of Anton Thulin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designation-of-anton-thulin-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist/.