Robert Rundo is the founder and leader of the Rise Above Movement (RAM), a white supremacist gang based in Southern California that calls itself the “premier MMA (mixed martial arts) club of the Alt-Right.”“Rise Above Movement,” (R.A.M.), ADL, https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/rise-above-movement-ram. In a since deleted YouTube video, RAM co-founder Robert Rundo said he and Ben Daley founded RAM because they did not see a place for themselves in the far-right movement at the time, condemning the alt-right movement for “playing dress-up.” According to Rundo, they wanted a group that would reach beyond online forums.“Guidelines2Rise - Starting your crew,” YouTube video, 10:46, posted July 26, 2020, by “Media 2Rise,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFq6IkruUDQ. Rundo was arrested in Romania in March 2023 and faces extradition to the United States.“Un anarhist american de origine română, care a organizat atacuri violente la proteste în SUA, a fost prins la Bucureşt,” Digi 24, March 31, 2023, https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/anarhist-american-de-origine-romana-care-a-organizat-atacuri-violente-la-proteste-in-sua-a-fost-prins-la-bucuresti-2300751.

Rundo was born and raised in Queens, New York. In 2009, Rundo and his friends confronted two Latino men in a store, chasing the victims before Rundo pounced on one man and stabbed him in the right hand, right elbow, left arm, chest, and neck. Rundo was sentenced to two years in a state prison on gang assault charges, serving around 20 months of the sentence.A.C. Thompson, Alin Winston, and Darwin Bond Graham, “Racist, Violent, Unpunished: A White Hate Group’s Campaign of Menace,” ProPublica, October 19, 2017, https://www.propublica.org/article/white-hate-group-campaign-of-menace-rise-above-movement.

Rundo co-founded RAM with Ben Daly in 2017 in Southern California.Karim Zidan, “RAM’s revival and the ongoing struggle against MMA’s far-right fight clubs,” Guardian (London), November 27, 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/nov/27/rams-revival-and-the-ongoing-struggle-against-mmas-far-right-fight-clubs; “Four Local Members of White Supremacy Group Face Federal Charges in Attacks at Political Rallies across California,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 24, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/four-local-members-white-supremacy-group-face-federal-charges-attacks-political-rallies. One of RAM’s core focus is MMA and athleticism. It is through training members in street fighting that they hope to reignite the “warrior spirit” of the white male.Ali Winston and A.C. Thompson, “American Hate Group Looks to Make Allies in Europe,” ProPublica, July 5, 2018, https://www.propublica.org/article/robert-rundo-denis-nikitin-hooligans-europe-hate-group. Members of RAM have traveled to Europe to participate in MMA tournaments organized by German and Ukrainian neo-Nazi groups.“Rise Above Movement,” Center for International Security and Cooperation, https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/rise-above-movement. RAM has established athletics clubs and “neighborhood” gyms to attract recruits, framing them in the style of 20th century boxing and youth clubs.Robert Rundo, “The Idea Behind ‘Active Club’ Part 1,” Media 2 Rise, December 7, 2020, https://media2rise.com/2020/12/07/active-club/. RAM believes in physically fighting the destructive cultural influences of liberals, Jews, Muslims, and non-white immigrants.“Rise Above Movement,” (R.A.M.), ADL, https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/rise-above-movement-ram.

On March 25, 2017, Rundo and fellow RAM member Tyler Laube attended a rally in support of then-U.S. President Donald Trump in Huntington Beach, California.“Four Local Members of White Supremacy Group Face Federal Charges in Attacks at Political Rallies across California,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 24, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/four-local-members-white-supremacy-group-face-federal-charges-attacks-political-rallies; Priscella Vega and Julia Sclafani, “Arrests of white power leaders are a reminder of Huntington Beach’s painful past,” Los Angeles Times, October 28, 2018, https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-hb-robert-rundo-20181026-story.html. While at the rally, Laube grabbed a journalist and punched him in the face three times. During the same rally, Rundo punched one protester in the back of the head, and then assaulted a second protester.Adam Goldman and Ali Winston, “F.B.I. Arrests White Nationalist Leader Who Fled the Country for Central America,” New York Times, October 24, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/us/fbi-white-nationalist-robert-paul-rundo-rise-above.html. On April 15, 2017, Rundo and other RAM members traveled to a rally in Berkeley, California.“Four Local Members of White Supremacy Group Face Federal Charges in Attacks at Political Rallies across California,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 24, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/four-local-members-white-supremacy-group-face-federal-charges-attacks-political-rallies. Video footage showed the men taping their hands beforehand in preparation for fighting and wearing skeleton masks. According to videos, RAM member Robert Boman punched at least two people, while Rundo punched a police officer and another protester.Adam Goldman and Ali Winston, “F.B.I. Arrests White Nationalist Leader Who Fled the Country for Central America,” New York Times, October 24, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/us/fbi-white-nationalist-robert-paul-rundo-rise-above.html.

On October 24, 2018, F.B.I. agents arrested Rundo on charges of plotting riots and inciting violence.Adam Goldman and Ali Winston, “F.B.I. Arrests White Nationalist Leader Who Fled the Country for Central America,” New York Times, October 24, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/us/fbi-white-nationalist-robert-paul-rundo-rise-above.html. Rundo, along with RAM members Robert Boman, Tyler Laube, and Aaron Eason,  were­ charged under a federal anti-riot statute with planning and then carrying out assaults at 2017 rallies in Huntington Beach, San Bernardino, and Berkeley in the months after former President Donald Trump’s election.A.C. Thompson, “Federal Judge Dismisses Charges Against 3 White Supremacists,” PBS, June 4, 2019, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/federal-judge-dismisses-charges-against-3-white-supremacists/. Rundo was held at the federal jail in downtown Los Angeles.Adam Goldman and Ali Winston, “F.B.I. Arrests White Nationalist Leader Who Fled the Country for Central America,” New York Times, October 24, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/us/fbi-white-nationalist-robert-paul-rundo-rise-above.html. On June 6, 2019, U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney, dismissed Rundo, Boman, and Eason of a series of charges, arguing that the Anti-Riot Act is “unconstitutionally overbroad in violation of the First Amendment,” and that the government’s charges largely dealt with behavior protected as free speech.Alexander Mallin, “Calif. district judge tosses US case against members of white nationalist group,” ABC News, June 6, 2019, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/calif-district-judge-tosses-us-case-members-white/story?id=63511366.

In November 2020, Bellingcat—an international collective of researchers, investigators, and journalists—revealed that Rundo was building a new base for himself in Serbia. However, in February 2021, Serbian authorities expelled Rundo from the country.Michael Colborne, “‘On the Run Again’: Has US White Supremacist Rob Rundo Returned to Serbia?,” Bellingcat, December 2, 2021, https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2021/12/02/on-the-run-again-has-us-white-supremacist-rob-rundo-returned-to-serbia/. However, on November 8, 2021, Rundo posted a photo of himself on his Telegram channel that was quickly taken down. Due to graffiti in a photo, Bellingcat was able to determine that Rundo was in Belgrade, Serbia.“Bosnian Police Hunt for Wanted US Far-Right Activist,” Balkan Insight, March 30, 2021, https://balkaninsight.com/2021/03/30/bosnian-police-hunt-for-wanted-us-far-right-activist/.

On March 29, 2023, Rundo was arrested at a gym in Bucharest, Romania. According to Romanian police, U.S. authorities requested Rundo’s provisional arrest. He faces extradition to the United States on charges of conspiracy to riot and riot activities between December 2016 and October 2018. According to the charges, Rundo allegedly conspired with others to attend political rallies and employ physical against ideological opponents.“Un anarhist american de origine română, care a organizat atacuri violente la proteste în SUA, a fost prins la Bucureşt,” Digi 24, March 31, 2023, https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/anarhist-american-de-origine-romana-care-a-organizat-atacuri-violente-la-proteste-in-sua-a-fost-prins-la-bucuresti-2300751.

Maulawi Rajab is a U.S.-designated senior leader in Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), ISIS’s affiliate in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, ISIS-K has become a prominent threat in the region, launching a series of high-casualty attacks targeting American nationals, the Taliban, and minority Afghan groups.“Letter dated 21 January 2021 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities addressed to the President of the Security Council,” United Nations Security Council, February 3, 2021, https://undocs.org/en/S/2021/68. On November 22, 2021, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Rajab as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and a Specially Designated National (SDN), respectively for his role in ISIS-K.“Taking Action Against ISIS-K,” U.S. Department of State, November 22, 2021, https://www.state.gov/taking-action-against-isis-k/; “Counter Terrorism Designations, Designations Updates and Designations Removals; Syria Designations Updates,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 22, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20211122.

According to media sources, Rajab reportedly plans ISIS-K’s attacks and operations. Additionally, Rajab commands ISIS-K groups that conduct attacks in Kabul.“Taking Action Against ISIS-K,” U.S. Department of State, November 22, 2021, https://www.state.gov/taking-action-against-isis-k/.

ISIS-K claimed its first attack on Afghan forces in September 2015 when it killed three policemen at a checkpoint in eastern Afghanistan.Rahim Faiez and Lynne O’Donnel, “IS loyalists kill 3 police in first attack on Afghan forces,” Associated Press, September 27, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4407127095a4444ab25ac5d71dc86b9d/afghan-official-islamic-state-fighters-kill-3-police. The group has since continued to carry out deadly attacks and threatens the region.Sune Engel Rasmussen, “Isis in Afghanistan: ‘Their peak is over, but they are not finished,’” Guardian (London), November 18, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/18/isis-in-afghanistan-their-peak-is-over-but-they-are-not-finished. Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, ISIS-K launched two bombings and a shooting at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on August 26. The attack killed as many as 170 people and 13 U.S. service members were killed, with an additional 200 wounded.Jamie Johnson and Catherine Neilan, “Afghanistan explosion: At least 13 feared dead in double bomb attack at Kabul airport,” Telegraph, August 26, 2021, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/08/26/afghanistan-threat-attack-kabul-airport-severe-imminent-warns/; Yuliya Talmazan, Mushtaq Yusufzai, Courtney Kube and Andrea Mitchell, “Multiple U.S. service members killed in explosions outside Kabul airport amid evacuations,” NBC News, August 26, 2021, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/high-threat-terror-attack-disrupts-kabul-airport-evacuations-biden-deadline-n1277670; Yaroslav Trofimov, Sune Engel Rassmussen, and Vivian Salama, “Kabul Airport Explosions Kill Four U.S. Marines, at Least 60 Afghans,” Wall Street Journal, August 26, 2021, https://www.wsj.com/articles/afghanistan-kabul-airport-explosion-11629976397; “Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly Kabul airport attack,” Reuters, August 26, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-kabul-airport-attack-2021-08-26/; Claire Parker, “World leaders, Taliban condemn attack near Kabul airport,” Washington Post, August 26, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/26/afghanistan-kabul-taliban-live-updates/; “Afghanistan Live Updates: Flights Resume at Kabul Airport After Deadly Attack,” New York Times, August 27, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/27/world/afghanistan-taliban-biden-news. ISIS-K has since then carried out high-casualty attacks targeting Shiite mosques as well as former and current Taliban officials.

Although the Taliban has asserted that they will take on defeating ISIS-K themselves, ISIS-K has continued to carry out high casualty attacks. ISIS-K has regularly targeted the minority Shiite community in Afghanistan, and in October, the group conducted two suicide bombings against Shiite mosques. One attack killed 43 at the Shiite Sayed mosque in Kunduz, and the other attack killed 47 at the Imam Barga mosque, the largest Shiite mosque in Kandahar.Clarissa Ward, Tim Lister and Ehsan Popalzai, “Blast targeting Kabul mosque leaves 'a number of civilians dead,' Taliban spokesman says,” CNN, October 4, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/03/asia/kabul-afghanistan-blast-intl/index.html; Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Wali Arian, “ISIS Bomber Kills Dozens at Shiite Mosque in Northern Afghanistan,” New York Times, October 8, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/08/world/asia/afghanistan-mosque-attack.html.

Given Rajab’s high-ranking status within ISIS-K, the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Rajab as an SDGT and SDN, respectively, on November 22, 2021.“Taking Action Against ISIS-K,” U.S. Department of State, November 22, 2021, https://www.state.gov/taking-action-against-isis-k/; “Counter Terrorism Designations, Designations Updates and Designations Removals; Syria Designations Updates,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 22, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20211122. Rajab presumably remains a significant threat to international security as the United Nations Security Council added Rajab to its sanctions list on April 26, 2023.“Maulawi Rajab,” United Nations Security Council, April 26, 2023, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/maulawi-rajab. The U.K. followed suit and added Rajab to its sanctions list on April 27.“ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida,” Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, April 27, 2023, https://www.bma.bm/viewPDF/documents/2023-04-27-14-55-21-Financial-Sanctions-Update.-ISIL-Daesh-and-Al-Qaida.-27-April-2023.pdf.

Following the death of former ISIS-K emir Shahab al-Muhajir on June 8, 2023 in a Taliban-led operation in Kunar,Ayaz Gul, “IS-K Leader in Afghanistan Reported Dead,” Voice of America, June 9, 2023, https://www.voanews.com/a/is-k-leader-in-afghanistan-reported-dead-/7130444.html. it is uncertain if Rajab will be a contender as al-Muhajir’s successor.

Shahab al-Muhajir is the U.S.-designated emir of Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), ISIS’s affiliate in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, ISIS-K has become a prominent threat in the region, launching a series of high-casualty attacks targeting American nationals, the Taliban, and minority Afghan groups.“Letter dated 21 January 2021 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities addressed to the President of the Security Council,” United Nations Security Council, February 3, 2021, https://undocs.org/en/S/2021/68. On November 22, 2021, the U.S. Department of State designated al-Muhajir as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) for his role in approving ISIS-K operations throughout Afghanistan and arranging funding to conduct operations.“Taking Action Against ISIS-K,” U.S. Department of State, November 22, 2021, https://www.state.gov/taking-action-against-isis-k/.

Not much is known about al-Muhajir. Although the U.S. State Department reports that al-Muhajir is from Afghanistan, some media sources report that he is Iraqi given his surname.“Taliban Size Up Threat From Tenacious Islamic State-Khorasan,” Voice of America, November 3, 2021, https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-size-up-threat-from-tenacious-islamic-state-khorasan/6299399.html; Bilal Sarwary, Twitter, June 14, 2020, https://twitter.com/bsarwary/status/1272207814325350402. According to the United Nations, al-Muhajir was allegedly appointed by ISIS central as the leader of ISIS-K since at least June 2020. In a statement released by ISIS, al-Muhajir is reportedly an experienced military leader, and is one of the “urban lions” of ISIS-K in Kabul who assisted in planning and carrying out guerilla operations along with suicide and complex attacks. Prior to his appointment by ISIS central, al-Muhajir was allegedly a mid-level commander in the Haqqani Network, the Taliban’s radical militant wing. Accordingly, while affiliated with the Haqqani Network, al-Muhajir provided “key expertise and access to networks,” that was beneficial to ISIS-K following the insurgent group’s loss of territory and senior leadership figures.“Letter dated 21 January 2021 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities addressed to the President of the Security Council,” United Nations Security Council, February 3, 2021, https://undocs.org/en/S/2021/68.

As the leader of ISIS-K, al-Muhajir allegedly directed a number of sleeper cells throughout Afghanistan, particularly in Kabul, where he and his deputy, Salahuddin, were at one time based. Al-Muhajir is also the chief of ISIS’s Al-Sadiq office which seeks to promote ISIS’s agenda in Central and South Asia. The Al-Sadiq office covers the entire Khorasan region that includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Central Asian States.“Letter dated 21 January 2021 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities addressed to the President of the Security Council,” United Nations Security Council, February 3, 2021, https://undocs.org/en/S/2021/68. Given al-Muhajir’s role in ISIS-K, the U.S. State Department designated al-Muhajir as an SDGT on November 22, 2021.“Taking Action Against ISIS-K,” U.S. Department of State, November 22, 2021, https://www.state.gov/taking-action-against-isis-k/.

ISIS-K claimed its first attack on Afghan forces in September 2015 when it killed three policemen at a checkpoint in eastern Afghanistan.Rahim Faiez and Lynne O’Donnel, “IS loyalists kill 3 police in first attack on Afghan forces,” Associated Press, September 27, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4407127095a4444ab25ac5d71dc86b9d/afghan-official-islamic-state-fighters-kill-3-police. The group has since continued to carry out deadly attacks and threatens the region.Sune Engel Rasmussen, “Isis in Afghanistan: ‘Their peak is over, but they are not finished,’” Guardian (London), November 18, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/18/isis-in-afghanistan-their-peak-is-over-but-they-are-not-finished. Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, ISIS-K launched two bombings and a shooting at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on August 26. The attack killed as many as 170 people and 13 U.S. service members were killed, with an additional 200 wounded.Jamie Johnson and Catherine Neilan, “Afghanistan explosion: At least 13 feared dead in double bomb attack at Kabul airport,” Telegraph, August 26, 2021, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/08/26/afghanistan-threat-attack-kabul-airport-severe-imminent-warns/; Yuliya Talmazan, Mushtaq Yusufzai, Courtney Kube and Andrea Mitchell, “Multiple U.S. service members killed in explosions outside Kabul airport amid evacuations,” NBC News, August 26, 2021, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/high-threat-terror-attack-disrupts-kabul-airport-evacuations-biden-deadline-n1277670; Yaroslav Trofimov, Sune Engel Rassmussen, and Vivian Salama, “Kabul Airport Explosions Kill Four U.S. Marines, at Least 60 Afghans,” Wall Street Journal, August 26, 2021, https://www.wsj.com/articles/afghanistan-kabul-airport-explosion-11629976397; “Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly Kabul airport attack,” Reuters, August 26, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-kabul-airport-attack-2021-08-26/; Claire Parker, “World leaders, Taliban condemn attack near Kabul airport,” Washington Post, August 26, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/26/afghanistan-kabul-taliban-live-updates/; “Afghanistan Live Updates: Flights Resume at Kabul Airport After Deadly Attack,” New York Times, August 27, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/27/world/afghanistan-taliban-biden-news. ISIS-K has since then carried out high-casualty attacks targeting Shiite mosques as well as former and current Taliban officials.

Although the Taliban has asserted that they will take on defeating ISIS-K themselves, ISIS-K has continued to carry out high casualty attacks. According to regional analysts, al-Muhajir has placed “a renewed emphasis on urban warfare and symbolic violence.”“Taliban Size Up Threat From Tenacious Islamic State-Khorasan,” Voice of America, November 3, 2021, https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-size-up-threat-from-tenacious-islamic-state-khorasan/6299399.html. ISIS-K has regularly targeted the minority Shiite community in Afghanistan, and in October 2021, the group conducted two suicide bombings against Shiite mosques. One attack killed 43 at the Shiite Sayed mosque in Kunduz, and the other attack killed 47 at the Imam Barga mosque, the largest Shiite mosque in Kandahar.Clarissa Ward, Tim Lister and Ehsan Popalzai, “Blast targeting Kabul mosque leaves 'a number of civilians dead,' Taliban spokesman says,” CNN, October 4, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/03/asia/kabul-afghanistan-blast-intl/index.html; Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Wali Arian, “ISIS Bomber Kills Dozens at Shiite Mosque in Northern Afghanistan,” New York Times, October 8, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/08/world/asia/afghanistan-mosque-attack.html.

Under the leadership of al-Muhajir, the United Nations suspected ISIS-K would continue to undertake terrorist attacks, specifically in Kabul, provincial capitals, and urban areas in the east of Afghanistan.“Letter dated 21 January 2021 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities addressed to the President of the Security Council,” United Nations Security Council, February 3, 2021, https://undocs.org/en/S/2021/68. On February 7, 2022, the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program offered a $10 million bounty for information leading to the capture of al-Muhajir.“Rewards for Justice – Reward Offer for Information on ISIS-K Leader Sanaullah Ghafari and Kabul Airport Attack,” U.S. Department of State, February 7, 2022, https://www.state.gov/rewards-for-justice-reward-offer-for-information-on-isis-k-leader-sanaullah-ghafari-and-kabul-airport-attack/. ISIS-K continued high-casualty attacks through 2023, frequently targeting civilians and Taliban officials. According to media sources, these high-profile attacks function as an effective recruiting tool for ISIS-K. Under al-Muhajir, ISIS-K has directed their recruitment efforts towards Tajiks and Uzbeks instead of Afghanistan’s majority Pashtun population.Mohammad Yunus Yawar, Mushtaq Ali, and YP Rajesh, “How ISIS-K leader forged one of Islamic State’s most fearsome groups,” Reuters, March 26, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/leader-isis-group-linked-moscow-attack-has-global-ambitions-2024-03-25/.

On June 6, 2023, Taliban security forces launched an intelligence-led operation, targeting al-Muhajir in Kunar, northeastern Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed that al-Muhajir died in the ensuing raid, along with six other ISIS militants.Ayaz Gul, “IS-K Leader in Afghanistan Reported Dead,” Voice of America, June 9, 2023, https://www.voanews.com/a/is-k-leader-in-afghanistan-reported-dead-/7130444.html. However, in March 2024, media sources reported that al-Muhajir sustained injuries but had survived the operation and had since relocated to the border province of Balochistan, Pakistan.Mohammad Yunus Yawar, Mushtaq Ali and YP Rajesh, “How ISIS-K leader forged one of Islamic State’s most fearsome groups,” Reuters, March 26, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/leader-isis-group-linked-moscow-attack-has-global-ambitions-2024-03-25/.

Luqman Haider is a radical preacher and terrorism supporter. On November 26, 2020, Haider was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and banned from French territory.Victor Tassel, “Villiers-le-Bel : l’ex-imam condamné à 18 mois de prison pour apologie du terrorisme,” Le Parisien, November 26, 2020, https://www.leparisien.fr/val-d-oise-95/villiers-le-bel-l-ex-imam-condamne-a-18-mois-de-prison-pour-apologie-du-terrorisme-26-11-2020-8410704.php; Dr. Hugo Micheron, “Praising Jihadist Attacks on TikTok and the Challenge of Protecting Youths From Online Extremism,” Global Network on Extremism and Technology, December 9, 2020, https://gnet-research.org/2020/12/09/praising-jihadist-attacks-on-tiktok-and-the-challenge-of-protecting-youths-from-online-extremism/.

Originally from Pakistan, Haider allegedly learned the Quran “by heart” in 2004. However, Haider has claimed that he does not “know what’s in [the Quran]…I just know how to read it.” Haider illegally arrived in the Paris area in 2015, seeking asylum and fleeing the poverty he faced in Pakistan.Dr. Hugo Micheron, “Praising Jihadist Attacks on TikTok and the Challenge of Protecting Youths From Online Extremism,” Global Network on Extremism and Technology, December 9, 2020, https://gnet-research.org/2020/12/09/praising-jihadist-attacks-on-tiktok-and-the-challenge-of-protecting-youths-from-online-extremism/. After settling in the Villiers-le-Bel area, Haider taught Quranic lessons to kids and young teenagers in the neighborhood of Derrière-les-Murs de Monseigneur, an enclave for the Pakistani diaspora.Dr. Hugo Micheron, “Praising Jihadist Attacks on TikTok and the Challenge of Protecting Youths From Online Extremism,” Global Network on Extremism and Technology, December 9, 2020, https://gnet-research.org/2020/12/09/praising-jihadist-attacks-on-tiktok-and-the-challenge-of-protecting-youths-from-online-extremism/.

Haider began preaching at the Quba mosque on the edge of Derrière-les-Murs de Monseigneur in 2016, and in 2018, Haider was offered an apartment owned by the mosque.Victor Tassel, “Val-d’Oise : après sa vidéo TikTok, un imam poursuivi pour apologie du terrorisme,” Le Parisien, October 3, 2020, https://www.leparisien.fr/info-paris-ile-de-france-oise/val-d-oise-apres-sa-video-tiktok-un-imam-poursuivi-pour-apologie-du-terrorisme-03-10-2020-8396277.php; Dr. Hugo Micheron, “Praising Jihadist Attacks on TikTok and the Challenge of Protecting Youths From Online Extremism,” Global Network on Extremism and Technology, December 9, 2020, https://gnet-research.org/2020/12/09/praising-jihadist-attacks-on-tiktok-and-the-challenge-of-protecting-youths-from-online-extremism/. Haider amassed a modest following, with his Facebook page—which claims he is a “tutor/teacher” and works for the “islamic mission paris france”—featuring over 872 likes and 1,060 followers.“Qari Luqman Haider Qadri,” Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Qari-Luqman-Haider-Qadri-846728628791639/?ref=page_internal.

Haider allegedly began posting TikTok videos in September 2020. In three videos from September 9, 10, and 25, Haider commented on the cartoons of Prophet Mohammed that French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo sought to republish. In the first video, Haider stated that “the faithful Muslims are ready to sacrifice themselves for the prophet.” In the second, he spoke of “attacking non-Muslims, the disbelievers” and “sending them to hell.” In the final video, Haider pays tribute to an assailant, Pakistani national Zaher Mahmood, who on September 25, 2020, stabbed and injured two civilians in front of the former Charlie Hebdo offices. Haider claimed “this brave man is known in Pakistan and in all social networks. He is known all over Europe. This status is thanks to the prophet.”Victor Tassel, “Villiers-le-Bel : l’ex-imam condamné à 18 mois de prison pour apologie du terrorisme,” Le Parisien, November 26, 2020, https://www.leparisien.fr/val-d-oise-95/villiers-le-bel-l-ex-imam-condamne-a-18-mois-de-prison-pour-apologie-du-terrorisme-26-11-2020-8410704.php; Aurelien Breeden, “Paris Attack Suspect Wanted to Target Charlie Hebdo With Arson,” New York Times, September 29, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/29/world/europe/france-attack-suspect-terrorism.html.

Shortly after publishing those videos, on October 1, 2020, the Pontoise public prosecutor’s office arrested Haider for “apologizing for terrorism by means of videos.”Victor Tassel, “Val-d’Oise : après sa vidéo TikTok, un imam poursuivi pour apologie du terrorisme,” Le Parisien, October 3, 2020, https://www.leparisien.fr/info-paris-ile-de-france-oise/val-d-oise-apres-sa-video-tiktok-un-imam-poursuivi-pour-apologie-du-terrorisme-03-10-2020-8396277.php. While on trial, Haider claimed he posted his series of TikTok videos—which were considered “calls for murder and attack” by the public prosecutor—“for the buzz.” On November 26, the Pontoise judicial court sentenced Haider to 18 months imprisonment for justifying terrorism. Additionally, the court imposed a ban against Haider on French territory.Victor Tassel, “Villiers-le-Bel : l’ex-imam condamné à 18 mois de prison pour apologie du terrorisme,” Le Parisien, November 26, 2020, https://www.leparisien.fr/val-d-oise-95/villiers-le-bel-l-ex-imam-condamne-a-18-mois-de-prison-pour-apologie-du-terrorisme-26-11-2020-8410704.php.

Malam Bako was the former leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)—the Boko Haram faction loyal to ISIS. Bako succeeded former ISWAP leader Abu Musab al-Barnawi in October 2021, after the Nigerian military killed al-Barnawi in an operation. Later that month, Nigerian security forces claimed to have killed Bako.“Nigerian official says new leader of ISIL-linked group killed,” Al Jazeera, October 22, 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/22/nigerian-official-says-new-leader-of-isil-linked-group-killed.

Al-Barnawi assumed leadership of ISWAP in August 2016.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. Unlike Boko Haram, which more often targets civilians, ISWAP focuses their attacks on the Nigerian military and those who aid soldiers.Chinedu Asadu, “Nigerian official says new leader of IS-linked group killed,” Associated Press, October 22, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/nigerian-official-says-new-leader-of-is-linked-group-killed/2021/10/22/091bcd50-3333-11ec-8036-7db255bff176_story.html. On March 4, 2019, ISWAP 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/. 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/.

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/. According to media reports, Bako was appointed a member of ISWAP’s Shura Council, in August 2021. ISWAP allegedly consolidated its position along the Lake Chad basin following the death of Shekau.“Nigerian official says new leader of ISIL-linked group killed,” Al Jazeera, October 22, 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/22/nigerian-official-says-new-leader-of-isil-linked-group-killed.

On October 14, 2021, Nigeria’s military claimed that al-Barnawi was killed. The military did not provide details of the location of or circumstances leading to al-Barnawi’s death, and ISWAP has yet to release an official statement confirming the reports.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. Bako allegedly assumed leadership of ISWAP following al-Barnawi’s death. However, on October 22, Nigeria’s national security adviser Babagana Monguno claimed that Bako, along with another prominent member of ISWAP, was “taken out” by Nigerian security forces on October 20.“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/; “ISWAP: NSA confirms killing of Al Barnawi’s successor, Malam Bako,” Premium Times, October 22, 2021, https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/491057-iswap-nsa-confirms-killing-of-al-barnawis-successor-malam-bako.html.

Abu Obida is a senior ISIS leader who was the chief of the Hisbah patrol, ISIS’s morality police in Raqqa, Syria.Adam Weinstein, “Video Shows What Sharia Really Looks Like for Occupied Iraq and Syria,” Gawker, August 12, 2014, https://www.gawker.com/video-shows-what-sharia-really-looks-like-for-occupied-1620209668; John Hall, “Pictured, the most feared policeman in the world: Jihadi in charge of religious police in ISIS capital behind countless beheadings, crucifixions and amputations,” Daily Mail, June 8, 2015, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3112378/Pictured-feared-policeman-world-Jihadi-charge-religious-police-ISIS-capital-countless-beheadings-crucifixions-amputations.html.

According to the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism (ISCVE), Obida is a high-ranking ideologue and recruiter from Turkey.Anne Speckhard and Ardian Shajkovci, “Real Voices from the Caliphate Talk Back to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi,” International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism, May 7, 2019, https://www.icsve.org/real-voices-from-the-caliphate-talk-back-to-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi/. When ISIS declared its caliphate in Syria and Iraq on June 29, 2014, it is suspected that Obida began serving as the Hisbah patrol leader. According to scholars on ISIS, Obida’s role did not include actual combat or activities to target enemy fighters. Instead, Obida mostly checked that people would not drink or smoke during the day, that women were dressed according to Islamic edict, and that trade was conducted fairly.Michael C. Frank and Pavan Kumar Malreddy (eds.), Narratives of the War on Terror: Global Perspectives, New York, NY: Routledge, September 10, 2020, https://books.google.com/books?id=xxX8DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT251&lpg=PT251&dq=abu+obida&source=bl&ots=vaxsFv5NgH&sig=ACfU3U3Pwlylm80VsliVe6QKF5cKTcfgrg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiiq_X0vMfzAhXKY98KHeFoDVw4FBDoAXoECAcQAw#v=onepage&q=abu%20obida&f=false.

Although members of the Hisbah patrol brandished AK-47s and whipping canes, the extent of their duties included chastising civilians and arresting those the patrol deemed as inadequately observing the tenets of Islam.Adam Weinstein, “Video Shows What Sharia Really Looks Like for Occupied Iraq and Syria,” Gawker, August 12, 2014, https://www.gawker.com/video-shows-what-sharia-really-looks-like-for-occupied-1620209668. In describing his role in a Vice News documentary, Obida claimed, “my purpose is to establish the Caliphate… and in order to make it happen in the way of the prophet we have to teach others what to do and what not to do.”Leonardo Blair, “'We Will Raise the Flag of Allah in the White House' and Humiliate Your Soldiers, Says ISIS in Threat to US,” Christian Post, September 22, 2014, https://www.christianpost.com/news/we-will-raise-the-flag-of-allah-in-the-white-house-and-humiliate-your-soldiers-says-isis-in-threat-to-us.html.

In March 2019, Obida was interviewed by ICSVE researchers in Rojava, Syria and claimed that when the caliphate fell that month, Iraqi ISIS leaders sold the wives of foreign fighters to Iraqi militias in exchange for safe passage to Syria.Anne Speckhard and Ardian Shajkovci, “Real Voices from the Caliphate Talk Back to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi,” International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism, May 7, 2019, https://www.icsve.org/real-voices-from-the-caliphate-talk-back-to-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi/.

It is suspected that Obida was arrested by Iraqi special intelligence forces in Khalis, Iraq on August 18, 2021. According to media sources, Obida allegedly was planning to target Husseiniyahs—a congregation hall for Shiite Muslims—on the tenth day of the Islamic New Year.“Security forces arrest a senior ISIS terrorist,” Shafaq, August 18, 2021, https://shafaq.com/ar/Iraq-News/Security-forces-arrest-a-senior-ISIS-terrorist.

Sami Jasim is a U.S.-designated ISIS senior leader. Jasim, who was a deputy to former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, served as the group’s finance chief. On October 11, 2021, Jasim was arrested in a “complex external operation” by the Iraqi National Intelligence Service in either Turkey or northwestern Syria.Frank Gardner, “Iraq claims capture of IS financial chief in operation abroad,” BBC News, October 11, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58868803; Ahmed Rasheed, “EXCLUSIVE Turkish intelligence helped Iraq capture Islamic State leader, sources say,” Reuters, October 12, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/exclusive-turkish-intelligence-helped-iraq-capture-islamic-state-leader-sources-2021-10-12/.

According to media sources, Jasim allegedly pledged allegiance to Iraqi al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and served as a foot soldier for the terror group in 2003 when a U.S.-led force invaded Iraq.Louisa Loveluck and Mustafa Salim, “Iraq announces arrest of top ISIS financial figure in operation abroad,” Washington Post, October 11, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iraq-announces-isis-leader-capture/2021/10/11/ffbd0ab0-2a6a-11ec-b17d-985c186de338_story.html. Jasim later met Baghdadi in 2012, and went on to serve multiple positions throughout ISIS’s various judicial, financial, and industry ministries.Louisa Loveluck and Mustafa Salim, “Iraq announces arrest of top ISIS financial figure in operation abroad,” Washington Post, October 11, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iraq-announces-isis-leader-capture/2021/10/11/ffbd0ab0-2a6a-11ec-b17d-985c186de338_story.html.

In 2014, Jasim served as an ISIS deputy in southern Mosul where he began working as the group’s finance minister. In that role, Jasim supervised ISIS’s revenue-generating operations including the illicit sales of oil, gas, antiquities, and minerals.Sirwan Kajjo, “Could Move by US Against IS Trio Weaken Terror Group?,” Voice of America, August 29, 2019, https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_could-move-us-against-trio-weaken-terror-group/6174831.html. According to officials at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Jasim had allegedly overseen revenues of more than $1 billion a year.Anshal Vohra, “Iraqi forces capture Sami Jasim Muhammad al-Jaburi, Islamic State’s finance chief,” Times, October 11, 2021, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/iraqi-forces-capture-sami-jasim-muhammad-al-jaburi-islamic-states-finance-chief-wzkt00c6g.

On October 2, 2015, the U.S. Treasury Department designated Jasim as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).“Sanctions Actions Pursuant to Executive Orders 13224,” Federal Register, October 2, 2015, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2015-10-02/pdf/2015-25070.pdf. Although Iraqi Kurdish intelligence officials claimed Jasim was killed in a joint U.S.-Kurdish operation near Ambar, western Iraq in August 2016, it was later reported Jasim was not among the targeted members in that raid.Sirwan Kajjo, “Could Move by US Against IS Trio Weaken Terror Group?,” Voice of America, August 29, 2019, https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_could-move-us-against-trio-weaken-terror-group/6174831.html. On August 29, 2019, the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice program announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the capture of Jasim.Sirwan Kajjo, “Could Move by US Against IS Trio Weaken Terror Group?,” Voice of America, August 29, 2019, https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_could-move-us-against-trio-weaken-terror-group/6174831.html.

Although ISIS was militarily defeated in Iraq by 2014, the group continued to carry out small-scale attacks in the country’s hinterlands, with many members reportedly hiding out in cities throughout the country.Sirwan Kajjo, “Could Move by US Against IS Trio Weaken Terror Group?,” Voice of America, August 29, 2019, https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_could-move-us-against-trio-weaken-terror-group/6174831.html. The jihadist group has primarily converted to an insurgency and continues to conduct hit-and-run attacks.Frank Gardner, “Iraq claims capture of IS financial chief in operation abroad,” BBC News, October 11, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58868803.

Following the death of Baghdadi in 2019, Jasim became a close aide to Baghdadi’s successor, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.“Iraqi forces capture senior Islamic State leader, PM says,” Reuters, October 11, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iraqi-forces-capture-deputy-is-slain-leader-baghdadi-pm-2021-10-11/. Jasim’s role in ISIS expanded from not only overseeing the group’s finances, but also coordinating attacks between Iraq and Syria.“Iraqi forces capture senior Islamic State leader, PM says,” Reuters, October 11, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iraqi-forces-capture-deputy-is-slain-leader-baghdadi-pm-2021-10-11/. At some point, Jasim reportedly became one of a dozen members of ISIS’s top leadership council, the delegated committee.Frank Gardner, “Iraq claims capture of IS financial chief in operation abroad,” BBC News, October 11, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58868803; “Iraqi forces capture senior Islamic State leader, PM says,” Reuters, October 11, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iraqi-forces-capture-deputy-is-slain-leader-baghdadi-pm-2021-10-11/.

On October 11, 2021, Iraqi security forces—with the help of key Turkish intelligence—captured Jasim in a “complex external operation” in either Turkey or northwestern Syria.“Iraq arrests IS finance chief wanted by US 'in Turkey',” France 24, October 11, 2021, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211011-iraq-arrests-is-finance-chief-wanted-by-us-in-turkey; Ahmed Rasheed, “EXCLUSIVE Turkish intelligence helped Iraq capture Islamic State leader, sources say,” Reuters, October 12, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/exclusive-turkish-intelligence-helped-iraq-capture-islamic-state-leader-sources-2021-10-12/. Although Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi did not confirm where the operation took place, an Iraqi military source told media that Jasim was captured in Turkey. However, other military sources allege Jasim was captured in northwestern Syria.Ahmed Rasheed, “EXCLUSIVE Turkish intelligence helped Iraq capture Islamic State leader, sources say,” Reuters, October 12, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/exclusive-turkish-intelligence-helped-iraq-capture-islamic-state-leader-sources-2021-10-12/. Jasim, who is currently in Iraqi custody, is only the second senior ISIS member to be captured alive.“Iraqi forces capture senior Islamic State leader, PM says,” Reuters, October 11, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iraqi-forces-capture-deputy-is-slain-leader-baghdadi-pm-2021-10-11/; Louisa Loveluck and Mustafa Salim, “Iraq announces arrest of top ISIS financial figure in operation abroad,” Washington Post, October 11, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iraq-announces-isis-leader-capture/2021/10/11/ffbd0ab0-2a6a-11ec-b17d-985c186de338_story.html.

Abdul Haq is a senior Taliban leader who previously served as police chief during the Taliban’s first regime from 1996 until 2001.Bill Roggio, “Haqqani Network’s Taj Mir Jawad subgroup targeted in raid,” Long War Journal, April 29, 2013, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/04/haqqani_networks_taj.php. Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, Haq was named deputy director for counter narcotics of the Taliban government.“Profiles Of Afghan Taliban Ministers – Interior Minister Is On FBI's Most Wanted List, 14 Ministers Including Prime Minister Are On UN Security Council's Terror Blacklist,” Middle East Media Research Institute, September 28, 2021, https://www.memri.org/reports/profiles-afghan-taliban-ministers-%E2%80%93-interior-minister-fbis-most-wanted-list-14-ministers.

During the Taliban’s first reign, Haq served as police chief. Following the Taliban’s fall from power in Afghanistan in 2001, Haq continued to work with the movement as a public health official.“Profiles Of Afghan Taliban Ministers – Interior Minister Is On FBI's Most Wanted List, 14 Ministers Including Prime Minister Are On UN Security Council's Terror Blacklist,” Middle East Media Research Institute, September 28, 2021, https://www.memri.org/reports/profiles-afghan-taliban-ministers-%E2%80%93-interior-minister-fbis-most-wanted-list-14-ministers. After 2001, the movement created a de facto governmental order that placed Taliban members—shadow officials—in control of specific areas within Afghanistan. The Taliban used these operational areas to counter the Afghan government and repel U.S. troops deployed in the country following the al-Qaeda orchestrated 9/11 attacks. Before the attacks, al-Qaeda had used Afghanistan as a safe haven to plan attacks against western targets. Following U.S. military deployment in the country, the Taliban conducted regular attacks to enforce their control among the Afghan population, resulting in two decades of political and social instability throughout Afghanistan.“Who are the Taliban,” BBC News, August 18, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-11451718.

To reduce ongoing violence and put an end to the Afghan war, the U.S. government and the Taliban began peace negotiations in February 2019, eventually signing a peace agreement on February 29, 2020, in Doha, Qatar.Kathy Gannon, “Mullah’s rise charts Taliban’s long road back to power,” Associated Press, August 18, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-abdul-ghani-baradar-e80165eb6c65fc7ea8fae50212ba56c8; “Pullout and guarantees dominate talks with US: Taliban spokesman,” Al Jazeera, February 26, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/2/26/pullout-and-guarantees-dominate-talks-with-us-taliban-spokesman; Ayaz Gul, “Taliban Expects Peace Deal With US in Next Meeting,” Voice of America, July 31, 2019, https://www.voanews.com/a/south-central-asia_taliban-expects-peace-deal-us-next-meeting/6172955.html. The terms of the Doha agreement stated that the United States would fully withdraw military troops from Afghanistan within the next 14 months. In exchange, the Taliban agreed to renounce al-Qaeda and prevent al-Qaeda and other groups from using Afghanistan as a base for terrorism against the United States. The Taliban also agreed to negotiate a permanent ceasefire with other Afghan militants and the Afghan government.Asad Hashim, “Pakistan warns US of ‘spoilers’ on US-Taliban deal in Afghanistan,” Al Jazeera, March 1, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/pakistan-warns-spoilers-taliban-deal-afghanistan-200302093650382.html; Matthew Lee and Kathy Gannon, “US and Taliban sign deal aimed at ending war in Afghanistan,” Associated Press, February 29, 2020, https://apnews.com/491544713df4879f399d0ff5523d369e; Susannah George and Dan Lamothe, “Afghan government objects to elements of U.S.-Taliban peace deal,” Washington Post, March 1, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghan-government-questions-aspects-of-us-taliban-peace-deal/2020/03/01/0a973228-5a68-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html.

The Taliban began its offensive against major Afghan cities on August 6, 2021.Susannah George and Ezzatullah Mehrdad, “Taliban fighters overrun an Afghan provincial capital for the first time since withdrawal of foreign forces,” Washington Post, August 6, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/06/afghanistan-taliban-nimruz/. On August 15, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan and thousands of Afghans poured into Kabul’s airport as Taliban fighters entered the city. By August 16, the Taliban laid siege to the presidential palace and took complete control of Kabul, declaring the war in Afghanistan had ended.Rahim Faiez, and Joseph Krauss, “Taliban sweep across Afghanistan’s south; take 4 more cities,” Associated Press, August 13, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-taliban-c6c8d4a41c554f36031a8131538d1402. The last U.S. troops flew out of Kabul on August 30, 2021, ending a 20-year war that took the lives of 2,500 American troops and 240,000 Afghans and cost about $2 trillion.Peter Baker, “All in or All Out? Biden Saw No Middle Ground in Afghanistan.,” New York Times, September 1, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/28/us/politics/trump-taliban-biden-afghanistan.html; Nancy A. Youssef and Gordon Lubold, “Last U.S. Troops Leave Afghanistan After Nearly 20 Years,” Wall Street Journal, August 30, 2021, https://www.wsj.com/articles/last-u-s-troops-leave-afghanistan-after-nearly-20-years-11630355853. The Taliban has claimed that it would take on a more “moderate” approach in their ruling of the country, and that women are allowed to have roles in public life in observance of “Islamic law.”“Factbox: Taliban seek to present a moderate face as they take control in Afghanistan,” Reuters, August 15, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-seek-present-moderate-face-they-take-control-afghanistan-2021-08-15/.

On September 7, 2021, the Taliban announced the official appointments within their caretaker government. Haq was named deputy director for counter narcotics under the ministry of the interior of the Taliban government.“Profiles Of Afghan Taliban Ministers – Interior Minister Is On FBI's Most Wanted List, 14 Ministers Including Prime Minister Are On UN Security Council's Terror Blacklist,” Middle East Media Research Institute, September 28, 2021, https://www.memri.org/reports/profiles-afghan-taliban-ministers-%E2%80%93-interior-minister-fbis-most-wanted-list-14-ministers. The government is exclusively male, with many positions filled with veterans from their hardline movement in the early nineties.Matthieu Aikins and Jim Huylebroek, “Taliban Appoint Stalwarts to Top Government Posts,” New York Times, September 7, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/07/world/asia/taliban-women-protest-kabul-afghanistan.html; Kathy Gannon, “Taliban form all-male Afghan government of old guard members,” Associated Press, September 8, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-pakistan-afghanistan-arrests-islamabad-d50b1b490d27d32eb20cc11b77c12c87.

Following Haq’s appointment, in October 2021, Haq claimed that the ministry of counter narcotics is working “on a strategic plan for eradication and we will help farmers find jobs so they can stop [cultivating poppies for opium production].” Furthermore, Haq stated that his priority would be rehabilitating drug addicts—many of whom were arrested following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s efforts of maintaining the appearance of order and eliminating “haram” practices of drug use. However, Haq and other officials within the ministry of counter narcotics have not put forward any plans or future practices towards rehabilitation programs.Hollie McKay, “Most Afghan prisoners are drug addicts swept up from the streets,” New York Post, October 1, 2021, https://nypost.com/2021/10/01/most-afghan-prisoners-are-drug-addicts-swept-up-from-the-streets/.

Taj Mir Jawad is a senior Taliban leader who served as a senior commander for the Haqqani network—the Taliban’s most extreme military wing—and the Kabul Attack Network, an independent jihadist alliance that operated in and around the Afghan capital.Bill Roggio, “Haqqani Network’s Taj Mir Jawad subgroup targeted in raid,” Long War Journal, April 29, 2013, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/04/haqqani_networks_taj.php. Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, Jawad was appointed the first deputy to the intelligence chief of the Taliban government.“Taliban forms 33-member cabinet in Afghanistan: Full list,” Hindustan Times, September 8, 2021, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/taliban-forms-33-member-cabinet-in-afghanistan-full-list-101631066722518.html.

Jawad is a veteran of the Taliban, having served as the director of intelligence in Nangarhar province during the Taliban’s first reign from 1996 until 2001.“Profiles Of Afghan Taliban Ministers – Interior Minister Is On FBI's Most Wanted List, 14 Ministers Including Prime Minister Are On UN Security Council's Terror Blacklist,” Middle East Media Research Institute, September 28, 2021, https://www.memri.org/reports/profiles-afghan-taliban-ministers-%E2%80%93-interior-minister-fbis-most-wanted-list-14-ministers. In 2001, Jawad was reportedly responsible for coordinating the kidnapping of a French journalist in Nangarhar.Jeffrey Dressler, “The Haqqani Network: A Strategic Threat,” Institute for the Study of War, March 2012, https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Haqqani_StrategicThreatweb_29MAR_0.pdf. Following the Taliban’s fall from power in Afghanistan in 2001, the movement created a de facto governmental order that placed Taliban members—shadow officials—in control of specific areas within Afghanistan. The Taliban used these operational areas to counter the Afghan government and repel U.S. troops deployed in the country following the al-Qaeda orchestrated 9/11 attacks. Before the attacks, al-Qaeda had used Afghanistan as a safe haven to plan attacks against western targets. Following U.S. military deployment in the country, the Taliban conducted regular attacks to enforce their control among the Afghan population, resulting in two decades of political and social instability throughout Afghanistan.“Who are the Taliban,” BBC News, August 18, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-11451718.

After the fall of the first Taliban regime, Jawad was reportedly in charge of providing equipment and resources to suicide bombers affiliated with the Taliban.“Profiles Of Afghan Taliban Ministers – Interior Minister Is On FBI's Most Wanted List, 14 Ministers Including Prime Minister Are On UN Security Council's Terror Blacklist,” Middle East Media Research Institute, September 28, 2021, https://www.memri.org/reports/profiles-afghan-taliban-ministers-%E2%80%93-interior-minister-fbis-most-wanted-list-14-ministers. From August 2010, Jawad co-led a Taliban affiliate group called the Kabul Attack Network with Dawood, a Taliban commander who served as the Taliban’s shadow governor of Kabul. The Kabul Attack Network executed large numbers of high-profile attacks throughout Kabul and its neighboring provinces, and had received support from al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and the Hizb-i-Islami Gulbuddin in their operations.Bill Roggio, “Haqqani Network’s Taj Mir Jawad subgroup targeted in raid,” Long War Journal, April 29, 2013, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/04/haqqani_networks_taj.php.

According to media sources, from at least 2013, Jawad was a member of the Taliban’s more radical subset, the Haqqani network, where he eventually became a senior commander in the militant group. As a top Taliban official, Jawad also served as a senior propagandist who closely worked with Zabiullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Taliban.Bill Roggio, “Haqqani Network’s Taj Mir Jawad subgroup targeted in raid,” Long War Journal, April 29, 2013, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/04/haqqani_networks_taj.php. Given his role in the Taliban, Jawad was targeted and captured in a raid led by U.S. coalition and Afghan special operations forces on April 28, 2013 in Paktia province.Bill Roggio, “Haqqani Network’s Taj Mir Jawad subgroup targeted in raid,” Long War Journal, April 29, 2013, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/04/haqqani_networks_taj.php.

It is uncertain when Jawad was released from detainment. However, according to Rahmatullah Nabil—the former head of Afghanistan’s spy agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS)—Jawad allegedly supervised the Al-Hamza Martyrdom Brigade, an offshoot of the Taliban that received direction, funding, and weapons from the Haqqani network. Jawad reportedly began supervising the brigade’s training of suicide bombers in 2018.Rezaul H. Laskar, “Taliban’s new deputy intelligence chief ran suicide attack network,” Hindustan Times, September 8, 2021, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/talibans-new-deputy-intelligence-chief-ran-suicide-attack-network-101631071578843.html; “Video shows capture of top Taliban leader behind deadly Kabul attacks,” Khaama Press, April 26, 2018, https://www.khaama.com/video-shows-capture-of-top-taliban-leader-behind-deadly-kabul-attacks-04987/. According to media sources, Jawad ran the training camp until August 2021.Abubakar Siddique and Abdul Hai Kakar, “Al-Qaeda Could Flourish With New Strategy Under Taliban Rule,” Gandhara, September 30, 2021, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-al-qaeda-taliban/31486256.html. In 2018, Jawad, who was largely based in Peshawar, Pakistan at the time, also reportedly planned the killing of General Abdul Raziq, one of Afghanistan’s most powerful security officials who managed to oust the Taliban from their hold on Kandahar province.“Top Afghan General Abdul Raziq killed in Kandahar attack,” Al Jazeera, October 18, 2018, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/18/top-afghan-general-abdul-raziq-killed-in-kandahar-attack; Rezaul H. Laskar, “Taliban's new deputy intel chief ran suicide attack network,” Hindustan Times, September 9, 2021, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/talibans-new-deputy-intel-chief-ran-suicide-attack-network-101631151576526.html.

Despite Jawad’s training of militants and coordination of attacks throughout Afghanistan, in February 2019, the Taliban agreed to begin peace negotiations with the U.S. government to reduce ongoing violence and end to the Afghan war. The two parties eventually signed a peace agreement on February 29, 2020, in Doha, Qatar.Kathy Gannon, “Mullah’s rise charts Taliban’s long road back to power,” Associated Press, August 18, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-abdul-ghani-baradar-e80165eb6c65fc7ea8fae50212ba56c8; “Pullout and guarantees dominate talks with US: Taliban spokesman,” Al Jazeera, February 26, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/2/26/pullout-and-guarantees-dominate-talks-with-us-taliban-spokesman; Ayaz Gul, “Taliban Expects Peace Deal With US in Next Meeting,” Voice of America, July 31, 2019, https://www.voanews.com/a/south-central-asia_taliban-expects-peace-deal-us-next-meeting/6172955.html. The terms of the Doha agreement stated that the United States would fully withdraw military troops from Afghanistan within the next 14 months. In exchange, the Taliban agreed to renounce al-Qaeda and prevent al-Qaeda and other groups from using Afghanistan as a base for terrorism against the United States. The Taliban also agreed to negotiate a permanent ceasefire with other Afghan militants and the Afghan government.Asad Hashim, “Pakistan warns US of ‘spoilers’ on US-Taliban deal in Afghanistan,” Al Jazeera, March 1, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/pakistan-warns-spoilers-taliban-deal-afghanistan-200302093650382.html; Matthew Lee and Kathy Gannon, “US and Taliban sign deal aimed at ending war in Afghanistan,” Associated Press, February 29, 2020, https://apnews.com/491544713df4879f399d0ff5523d369e; Susannah George and Dan Lamothe, “Afghan government objects to elements of U.S.-Taliban peace deal,” Washington Post, March 1, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghan-government-questions-aspects-of-us-taliban-peace-deal/2020/03/01/0a973228-5a68-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html.

The Taliban began its offensive against major Afghan cities on August 6, 2021.Susannah George and Ezzatullah Mehrdad, “Taliban fighters overrun an Afghan provincial capital for the first time since withdrawal of foreign forces,” Washington Post, August 6, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/06/afghanistan-taliban-nimruz/. On August 15, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan and thousands of Afghans poured into Kabul’s airport as Taliban fighters entered the city. By August 16, the Taliban laid siege to the presidential palace and took complete control of Kabul, declaring the war in Afghanistan had ended.Rahim Faiez, and Joseph Krauss, “Taliban sweep across Afghanistan’s south; take 4 more cities,” Associated Press, August 13, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-taliban-c6c8d4a41c554f36031a8131538d1402. The last U.S. troops flew out of Kabul on August 30, 2021, ending a 20-year war that took the lives of 2,500 American troops and 240,000 Afghans and cost about $2 trillion.Peter Baker, “All in or All Out? Biden Saw No Middle Ground in Afghanistan.,” New York Times, September 1, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/28/us/politics/trump-taliban-biden-afghanistan.html; Nancy A. Youssef and Gordon Lubold, “Last U.S. Troops Leave Afghanistan After Nearly 20 Years,” Wall Street Journal, August 30, 2021, https://www.wsj.com/articles/last-u-s-troops-leave-afghanistan-after-nearly-20-years-11630355853. The Taliban has claimed that it would take on a more “moderate” approach in their ruling of the country, and that women are allowed to have roles in public life in observance of “Islamic law.”“Factbox: Taliban seek to present a moderate face as they take control in Afghanistan,” Reuters, August 15, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-seek-present-moderate-face-they-take-control-afghanistan-2021-08-15/.

On September 7, 2021, the Taliban announced the official appointments within their caretaker government. Jawad was named deputy to the intelligence chief, Abdul-Haq Wassiq.“Taliban forms 33-member cabinet in Afghanistan: Full list,” Hindustan Times, September 8, 2021, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/taliban-forms-33-member-cabinet-in-afghanistan-full-list-101631066722518.html. The government is exclusively male, with many positions filled with veterans from their hardline movement in the early nineties.Matthieu Aikins and Jim Huylebroek, “Taliban Appoint Stalwarts to Top Government Posts,” New York Times, September 7, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/07/world/asia/taliban-women-protest-kabul-afghanistan.html; Kathy Gannon, “Taliban form all-male Afghan government of old guard members,” Associated Press, September 8, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-pakistan-afghanistan-arrests-islamabad-d50b1b490d27d32eb20cc11b77c12c87.

Rehmatullah Najib is a senior Taliban leader who previously served as a shadow governor for Ghazni and Logar provinces.Bill Roggio, “Haqqani Network’s Taj Mir Jawad subgroup targeted in raid,” Long War Journal, April 29, 2013, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/04/haqqani_networks_taj.php. Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, Najib was named administrative deputy to the intelligence chief of the Taliban government.“Taliban forms 33-member cabinet in Afghanistan: Full list,” Hindustan Times, September 8, 2021, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/taliban-forms-33-member-cabinet-in-afghanistan-full-list-101631066722518.html.

Najib is a veteran of the Taliban movement and previously served as the district governor of Balkh province during the Taliban’s first regime from 1996-2001.“Profiles Of Afghan Taliban Ministers – Interior Minister Is On FBI's Most Wanted List, 14 Ministers Including Prime Minister Are On UN Security Council's Terror Blacklist,” Middle East Media Research Institute, September 28, 2021, https://www.memri.org/reports/profiles-afghan-taliban-ministers-%E2%80%93-interior-minister-fbis-most-wanted-list-14-ministers. Following the Taliban’s fall from power in Afghanistan in 2001, the movement created a de facto governmental order that placed Taliban members—shadow officials—in control of specific areas within Afghanistan. The Taliban used these operational areas to counter the Afghan government and repel U.S. troops deployed in the country following the al-Qaeda orchestrated 9/11 attacks.“Who are the Taliban,” BBC News, August 18, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-11451718. Najib was appointed the shadow governor for Ghazni and Logar provinces during this period.“Profiles Of Afghan Taliban Ministers – Interior Minister Is On FBI's Most Wanted List, 14 Ministers Including Prime Minister Are On UN Security Council's Terror Blacklist,” Middle East Media Research Institute, September 28, 2021, https://www.memri.org/reports/profiles-afghan-taliban-ministers-%E2%80%93-interior-minister-fbis-most-wanted-list-14-ministers.

Before the 9/11 attacks, al-Qaeda had used Afghanistan as a safe haven to plan attacks against western targets. Following U.S. military deployment in the country, the Taliban conducted regular attacks to enforce their control among the Afghan population, resulting in two decades of political and social instability throughout Afghanistan.“Who are the Taliban,” BBC News, August 18, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-11451718.

To reduce ongoing violence and put an end to the Afghan war, the U.S. government and the Taliban began peace negotiations in February 2019, eventually signing a peace agreement on February 29, 2020, in Doha, Qatar.Kathy Gannon, “Mullah’s rise charts Taliban’s long road back to power,” Associated Press, August 18, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-abdul-ghani-baradar-e80165eb6c65fc7ea8fae50212ba56c8; “Pullout and guarantees dominate talks with US: Taliban spokesman,” Al Jazeera, February 26, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/2/26/pullout-and-guarantees-dominate-talks-with-us-taliban-spokesman; Ayaz Gul, “Taliban Expects Peace Deal With US in Next Meeting,” Voice of America, July 31, 2019, https://www.voanews.com/a/south-central-asia_taliban-expects-peace-deal-us-next-meeting/6172955.html. The terms of the Doha agreement stated that the United States would fully withdraw military troops from Afghanistan within the next 14 months. In exchange, the Taliban agreed to renounce al-Qaeda and prevent al-Qaeda and other groups from using Afghanistan as a base for terrorism against the United States. The Taliban also agreed to negotiate a permanent ceasefire with other Afghan militants and the Afghan government.Asad Hashim, “Pakistan warns US of ‘spoilers’ on US-Taliban deal in Afghanistan,” Al Jazeera, March 1, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/pakistan-warns-spoilers-taliban-deal-afghanistan-200302093650382.html; Matthew Lee and Kathy Gannon, “US and Taliban sign deal aimed at ending war in Afghanistan,” Associated Press, February 29, 2020, https://apnews.com/491544713df4879f399d0ff5523d369e; Susannah George and Dan Lamothe, “Afghan government objects to elements of U.S.-Taliban peace deal,” Washington Post, March 1, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghan-government-questions-aspects-of-us-taliban-peace-deal/2020/03/01/0a973228-5a68-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html.

The Taliban began its offensive against major Afghan cities on August 6, 2021.Susannah George and Ezzatullah Mehrdad, “Taliban fighters overrun an Afghan provincial capital for the first time since withdrawal of foreign forces,” Washington Post, August 6, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/06/afghanistan-taliban-nimruz/. On August 15, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan and thousands of Afghans poured into Kabul’s airport as Taliban fighters entered the city. By August 16, the Taliban laid siege to the presidential palace and took complete control of Kabul, declaring the war in Afghanistan had ended.Rahim Faiez, and Joseph Krauss, “Taliban sweep across Afghanistan’s south; take 4 more cities,” Associated Press, August 13, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-taliban-c6c8d4a41c554f36031a8131538d1402. The last U.S. troops flew out of Kabul on August 30, 2021, ending a 20-year war that took the lives of 2,500 American troops and 240,000 Afghans and cost about $2 trillion.Peter Baker, “All in or All Out? Biden Saw No Middle Ground in Afghanistan.,” New York Times, September 1, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/28/us/politics/trump-taliban-biden-afghanistan.html; Nancy A. Youssef and Gordon Lubold, “Last U.S. Troops Leave Afghanistan After Nearly 20 Years,” Wall Street Journal, August 30, 2021, https://www.wsj.com/articles/last-u-s-troops-leave-afghanistan-after-nearly-20-years-11630355853. The Taliban has claimed that it would take on a more “moderate” approach in their ruling of the country, and that women are allowed to have roles in public life in observance of “Islamic law.”“Factbox: Taliban seek to present a moderate face as they take control in Afghanistan,” Reuters, August 15, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-seek-present-moderate-face-they-take-control-afghanistan-2021-08-15/.

On September 7, 2021, the Taliban announced the official appointments within their caretaker government. Najib was named administrative deputy to the intelligence chief, Abdul-Haq Wassiq.“Taliban forms 33-member cabinet in Afghanistan: Full list,” Hindustan Times, September 8, 2021, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/taliban-forms-33-member-cabinet-in-afghanistan-full-list-101631066722518.html. The government is exclusively male, with many positions filled with veterans from their hardline movement in the early nineties.Matthieu Aikins and Jim Huylebroek, “Taliban Appoint Stalwarts to Top Government Posts,” New York Times, September 7, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/07/world/asia/taliban-women-protest-kabul-afghanistan.html; Kathy Gannon, “Taliban form all-male Afghan government of old guard members,” Associated Press, September 8, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-pakistan-afghanistan-arrests-islamabad-d50b1b490d27d32eb20cc11b77c12c87.