Khalid Batarfi was the U.S.-designated Yemen-based leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).Oren Adaki, “AQAP Storms Yemeni Prison, Frees Jihadist Leader,” Long War Journal, April 2, 2015, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/04/aqap-storms-yemeni-prison-frees-al-qaeda-leader.php. He was reportedly a media specialist as well as a military commander who planned terrorist attacks in Yemen.“AQAP Militants Arrested,” Critical Threats, American Enterprise Institute, March 17, 2011, http://www.criticalthreats.org/hotspot/aqap-militants-arrested. He was formerly AQAP’s emir (leader) of Abyan, a province in southeastern Yemen and was reportedly a former member of AQAP’s governing shura council.“AQAP Militants Arrested,” Critical Threats, American Enterprise Institute, March 17, 2011, http://www.criticalthreats.org/hotspot/aqap-militants-arrested; Tucker Reals and Khaled Wassef, “Amid Yemen chaos, al Qaeda stages prison break,” CBS News, April 2, 2015, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/yemen-prison-break-aqap-senior-commander-saudi-bombing-campaign/. Al-Qaeda confirmed Batarfi as AQAP emir following the February 23, 2020 death of  Qasim al-Raymi.Gregory D. Johnsen, “Khalid Batarfi and the Future of AQAP,” Lawfare, March 22, 2020, https://www.lawfareblog.com/khalid-batarfi-and-future-aqap. On March 11, 2024, AQAP confirmed Batarfi’s death but did not elaborate on the cause.David Gritten, “Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch announces death of leader Khalid Batarfi,” BBC News, March 11, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68533649.

Batarfi was born in 1979 in the Saudi city of Riyadh. After graduating from secondary school in Jeddah, he studied underneath several famous Islamist scholars, including al-Qaeda linked ideologue Abu Qatada.“Who is Khalid Bātarfi,” JustPaste, July 12, 2015, https://justpaste.it/mb2f. According to a resume released by AQAP, Batarfi traveled to Afghanistan in 1999 to train at al-Qaeda’s al-Farouq camp. In 2001, Batarfi fought alongside the Taliban against the Northern Alliance and U.S. forces.“Al-Qaeda in Yemen publishes the biography of its current leaders,” Yemen-24.com, December 10, 2015, http://yemen-24.com/news20308.html.

In 2010, Batarfi joined AQAP in Yemen. That year, AQAP captured Yemen’s Abyan Province and named Batarfi its emir (leader).James Brandon, “AQAP Rebounds in Yemen Amid Airstrikes,” Jamestown Foundation, April 17, 2015, http://www.refworld.org/docid/5538ae3e4.html;
“Al-Qaeda in Yemen publishes the biography of its current leaders,” Yemen-24.com, December 10, 2015, http://yemen-24.com/news20308.html;
Richard Spencer, “The al-Qaeda commander at home in a governor’s palace,” Telegraph (London), April 4, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/11515401/The-al-Qaeda-commander-at-home-in-a-governors-palace.html. Yemeni security forces captured Batarfi in March 2011.“AQAP Militants Arrested,” Critical Threats, American Enterprise Institute, March 17, 2011, http://www.criticalthreats.org/hotspot/aqap-militants-arrested;
Umberto Bacchi, “Yemen: Al-Qaeda frees 300 in al-Mukalla prison attack,” International Business Times, April 2, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-frees-300-al-mukalla-prison-attack-1494697. He escaped from al-Mukalla’s central prison on April 2, 2015, in the course of an AQAP raid.“AQAP Militants Arrested,” Critical Threats, American Enterprise Institute, March 17, 2011, http://www.criticalthreats.org/hotspot/aqap-militants-arrested;
Umberto Bacchi, “Yemen: Al-Qaeda frees 300 in al-Mukalla prison attack,” International Business Times, April 2, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-frees-300-al-mukalla-prison-attack-1494697. Soon after his escape, Batarfi trampled on the Yemeni flag in the evacuated provincial palace in al-Mukalla.Umberto Bacchi, “Yemen: Al Qaeda operative Khalid Batarfi takes selfies inside Mukalla government,” International Business Times, April 4, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-operative-khalid-batarfi-takes-selfies-inside-mukalla-government-1494971. He also took photographs, including “selfies,” of himself brandishing an AK-47 inside the palace.Umberto Bacchi, “Yemen: Al Qaeda operative Khalid Batarfi takes selfies inside Mukalla government,” International Business Times, April 4, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-operative-khalid-batarfi-takes-selfies-inside-mukalla-government-1494971.

Batarfi appeared in several AQAP videos and other propaganda. In August 2015, AQAP released a video of Batarfi praising Chattanooga shooter Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez and condemning “America, France, and other kufr nations.”“Al-Qaida calls for more lone wolf attacks, praises Chattanooga shooter,” Chattanooga Times Free Press, August 4, 2015, http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2015/aug/04/report-al-qaida-urges-more-lone-wolf-attacks-praises-chattanooga-shooter/318246/. When AQAP’s ideological leader Nasser bin Ali al-Ansi was killed by a U.S. drone strike in April 2015, Batarfi officially announced his death.“AQAP Leader Who Claimed Charlie Hebdo Attack Killed by U.S. Drone,” CBS, May 7, 2015, http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2015/05/07/cbs-ap-aqap-leader-who-claimed-charlie-hebdo-attack-killed-by-u-s-drone.html. In June 2016, Batarfi issued a statement praising AQAP leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi after he was killed in a U.S. air strike that month. Batarfi threatened that al-Qaeda would target the U.S. economy, attack U.S. interests, and “destroy them.”Cassandra Vinograd and Robert Windrem, “Al Qaeda confirms death of terrorist leader in US airstrike,” MSNBC, June 16, 2015, http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/al-qaeda-confirms-death-nasir-al-wuhayshi-aqap-leader.

In June 2017, Batarfi condemned Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt for severing ties with Qatar. Batarfi issued a statement of solidarity on behalf of AQAP after the four countries designated several Muslim Brotherhood- and al-Qaeda-related individuals in Qatar. Batarfi condemned the terror list as a “war against Muslims” and called all Islamic scholars, preachers, and groups to support “jihad” against “the tyrants.”Huda al-Saleh, “Al-Qaeda condemns boycott against Qatar, stands with the Muslim Brotherhood,” June 16, 2017, https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2017/06/16/Al-Qaeda-condemns-boycott-against-Qatar-stands-with-the-Muslim-Brotherhood.html.

On October 18, 2018, the U.S. Department of State offered a $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of Batarfi. On February 23, 2020, al-Qaeda confirmed AQAP leader Qasim al-Raymi’s death.“Al-Qaida Confirms Death of AQAP Leader,” Voice of America, February 23, 2020, https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/al-qaida-confirms-death-aqap-leader. On the same day, AQAP announced that it had selected Batarfi as the group’s new leader.Gregory D. Johnsen, “Khalid Batarfi and the Future of AQAP,” Lawfare, March 22, 2020, https://www.lawfareblog.com/khalid-batarfi-and-future-aqap.

On October 2, 2020, a pro-ISIS Telegram channel claimed that Batarfi turned himself into Yemeni forces following a Saudi-led raid in al-Mahrah. Allegedly, two key AQAP commanders were also killed in the raid.“Pro-ISIS Telegram Channel Alleges Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Leader Khalid Batarfi Turned Himself In To Yemeni Forces In Al-Mahrah During Raid That Killed Two Key Al-Qaeda Commanders,” The Middle East Media Research Institute, October 7, 2020, https://www.memri.org/jttm/pro-isis-telegram-channel-alleges-al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-aqap-leader-khalid-batarfi-turned; “Gulf of Aden Security Review,” Critical Threats, October 5, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-october-5-2020#_edn4528c5682c5f4a0d107d760023177f711. On February 3, 2021, the U.N. Security Council released a report confirming Batarfi had been arrested in October 2020 and turned over to Saudi authorities.“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, February 3, 2021, https://undocs.org/S/2021/68. The following day, U.S. military officials disputed the report and claimed Batarfi had eluded capture and was still at large.Jared Szuba, “Updated: US disputes UN report on capture of Al-Qaeda’s top man in Yemen,” Al-Monitor, February 5, 2021, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/02/qaeda-yemen-capture-leader-un.html. AQAP later dispelled reports of Batarfi’s arrest on February 10 with the release of a video featuring Batarfi called “America and the Painful Seizure.” In the video, Batarfi referred to the January 6, 2021, U.S. riot—during which protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.—and called it “just the tip of the iceberg.” “Yemen al-Qaeda leader’s video belies UN report of capture,” Arab Weekly, February 11, 2021, https://thearabweekly.com/yemen-al-qaeda-leaders-video-belies-un-report-capture. AQAP issued a statement on April 8, 2021, denying the earlier U.N. report of Batarfi’s arrest. AQAP further accused the United Nations of lying to the public and of bias toward the West.Bridget Johnson, “AQAP Calls UN Claim of Leader’s Arrest ‘Miserable Attempt to Wage a Psychological War,’” Homeland Security Today, April 12, 2021, https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/counterterrorism/aqap-calls-un-claim-of-leaders-arrest-miserable-attempt-to-wage-a-psychological-war/.

Batarfi released a video on May 2, 2023, in which he condemned Saudi Arabia’s rapprochement with Iran. According to Batarfi, the kingdom submitted to the “Shia” and the Houthi leaders of Yemen’s de facto government, whom Batarfi refers to as “Iran’s agents.” Batarfi further claimed that AQAP is the true defender of Yemen’s Sunnis and encourages the Sunni population to carry out violence against “Iran and America’s agents.”“Yemen: AQAP denounces Saudi-Iran rapprochement calls on Sunnis to take up jihad,” Middle East Monitor, May 2, 2023, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230502-yemen-aqap-denounces-saudi-iran-rapprochement-calls-on-sunnis-to-take-up-jihad/.

Following the onset of Hamas’s War against Israel on October 7, 2023, AQAP released a video in which Batarfi extolled the attack which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people and the capture of approximately 240 civilian and military hostages.“Israel revises Hamas attack death toll to ‘around 1,200,’” Reuters, November 10, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-revises-death-toll-oct-7-hamas-attack-around-1200-2023-11-10/. Released on October 29, “Questions and Answers Regarding Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” the video also featured Batarfi encouraging Muslims and jihadis to continue attacks, particularly against Israel, U.S. citizens, the United Kingdom, and France.“Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula Leader Batarfi Approves Of 'Inspiring' Hamas Attack, Encourages Killing Of 'Jews, Americans, And British' Citizens, Claims 9/11 Attacks Are The 'Best Example' To Deter U.S.,” Middle East Media Research Institute, October 30, 2023, https://www.memri.org/jttm/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-leader-batarfi-approves-inspiring-hamas-attack-encourages-killing.

On March 11, 2024, AQAP released a video announcing the death of Batarfi. The reasons behind his demise were not revealed. In the same statement, AQAP announced veteran member Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki as Batarfi’s successor.David Gritten, “Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch announces death of leader Khalid Batarfi,” BBC News, March 11, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68533649.

The New Yorker has described the highly creative ISIS propagandist Ahlam al-Nasr as “the Poetess of the Islamic State.” Through prose and poetry, she utilizes a variety of online social media platforms, especially Twitter, to espouse ISIS propaganda aimed primarily at recruiting fellow females, or “sisters.”Robyn Creswell and Bernard Haykel, “Battle Lines: Want to understand the jihadis? Read their poety,” New Yorker, June 8, 2015, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/06/08/battle-lines-jihad-creswell-and-haykel. Her themes are “[r]adicalization, recruitment, and the glorification of violence.”Natasha Bertrand, “’The Poetess of the Islamic State’ embodies everything dangerous about ISIS,” Business Insider, June 22, 2015, http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-poetess-of-the-islamic-state-embodies-everything-dangerous-about-isis-2015-6. She is believed to operate out of Raqqa, Syria.

Highlighting her literary credentials, al-Nasr’s mother has written that her daughter was “born with a dictionary in her mouth,” according to the New Yorker.”Robyn Creswell and Bernard Haykel, “Battle Lines: Want to understand the jihadis? Read their poety,” New Yorker, June 8, 2015, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/06/08/battle-lines-jihad-creswell-and-haykel. On October 11, 2014, al-Nasr reportedly married an Austrian-born jihadist, also an ISIS propagandist, in Raqqa Syria, forming a “jihadi power couple.”Robyn Creswell and Bernard Haykel, “Battle Lines: Want to understand the jihadis? Read their poety,” New Yorker, June 8, 2015, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/06/08/battle-lines-jihad-creswell-and-haykel. Syrian-born al-Nasr has been living in Raqqa since the fall of 2014, having previously fled to Kuwait.Natasha Bertrand, “’The Poetess of the Islamic State’ embodies everything dangerous about ISIS,” Business Insider, June 22, 2015, http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-poetess-of-the-islamic-state-embodies-everything-dangerous-about-isis-2015-6. The New Yorker speculates that Bashar al-Assad regime’s brutal suppression of anti-government demonstrators may have spawned her radicalization.Robyn Creswell and Bernard Haykel, “Battle Lines: Want to understand the jihadis? Read their poety,” New Yorker, June 8, 2015, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/06/08/battle-lines-jihad-creswell-and-haykel.

Al-Nasr has penned poems supporting the self-appointed ISIS caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. She has defended the burning alive of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh and has described the self-proclaimed Islamic State in utopian terms.Nina Easton, “How ISIS is recruiting women – and turning them into brutal enforcers,” Fortune.com, May 5, 2015, http://fortune.com/2015/05/05/isis-women-recruiting/. A collection of her poetry entitled “The Blaze of Truth” was published in summer 2014 in an unnamed publication. It comprised “elegies to mujahideen, laments for prisoners, victory odes, and short poems that were originally tweets,” according to the New Yorker.Robyn Creswell and Bernard Haykel, “Battle Lines: Want to understand the jihadis? Read their poety,” New Yorker, June 8, 2015, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/06/08/battle-lines-jihad-creswell-and-haykel. Her poems are sung acapella – in accordance with Islamic precepts – on YouTube videos.“Islamic State’s Got Talent: Pop stars of the Caliphate,” June 4, 2015, News.com, http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/islamic-states-got-talent-pop-stars-of-the-caliphate/story-e6frfn09-1227382276436.

Eighteen-year-old Sevdet Besim is an alleged homegrown extremist from Melbourne, Australia. On April 17, 2015, Besim was one of five arrested in an alleged conspiracy to launch an ISIS-inspired domestic terror attack. The suspects allegedly planned to attack an Anzac Day celebration—an Australian national holiday—at an undisclosed location inside Australia.Chris Vedelago, Farrah Tomazin, Tammy Mills, Liam Mannix, Patrick Hatch and Benjamin Millar, “Five arrested in counter-terrorism raids in Melbourne’s south-east,” Age (Victoria), April 19, 2015, http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/five-arrested-in-counterterrorism-raids-in-melbournes-southeast-20150418-1mns9h.html; Stephanie Anderson, “Melbourne terror suspect Sevdet Besim denied bail over alleged Anzac Day attack plot,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation, May 26, 2015, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-26/melbourne-terror-suspect-sevdet-besim-denied-bail-anzac-plot/6497324.

Besim allegedly intended to run over a police officer in his car and “[behead] him with a knife and then [go] on a violent rampage that would end in Besim’s death,” according to the Guardian.“Melbourne teenager accused of plotting Anzac Day attack is denied bail,” Australian Associated Press, May 26, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/may/26/melbourne-teenager-accused-of-plotting-anzac-day-attack-is-denied-bail. Besim first appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on April 18, where he was charged with “conspiracy to commit acts done in preparation for, or planning, terrorist acts.”Sarah Carty, “Anzac Day terror plotters were going to ‘mow down a police officer with a car, and stab him to death with a knife before seizing his gun and going on a shooting rampage,’ official says,” Daily Mail, April 20, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3046964/Anzac-Day-terror-plotters-going-mow-police-officer-car-kill-knife-seizing-gun-going-shooting-rampage-official-says.html. Besim appeared in court again on April 24 for his hearing.“Melbourne teen charged over Anzac Day terror plot applies for bail,” Herald Sun, April 24, 2015, http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/melbourne-teen-charged-over-anzac-day-terror-plot-applies-for-bail/story-fni0fit3-1227318445029. He is currently held in custody in Melbourne, Australia, awaiting his next hearing.Adam Cooper, “Anzac Day terror plot accused teens Harun Causevic and Sevdet Besim not to seek bail,” Age, April 30, 2015, http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/anzac-day-terror-plot-accused-teens-harun-causevic-and-sevdet-besim-not-to-seek-bail-20150430-1mwnqa.html.

Prior to his arrest, Australian authorities uncovered phone conversations between Besim and an unnamed minor in Britain, revealing Besim’s plans to commit terrorist acts, including “[taking] out some cops” and “intelligence agents,” according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Emma Younger and Loretta Florance, “Links to terror suspects prompted Victoria Police to use highly secretive order to detain Harun Causevic, court reveals,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation, June 3, 2015, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-03/details-victoria-police-used-protective-detention-order/6519084. Besim left a note for his family, presumably anticipating them reading it after the attack was carried out. The note implied that Besim intended to die during the attack, as it provided instructions for his burial.“Melbourne teenager accused of plotting Anzac Day attack is denied bail,” Australian Associated Press, May 26, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/may/26/melbourne-teenager-accused-of-plotting-anzac-day-attack-is-denied-bail.

Prior to his arrest, Besim ran a pro-ISIS Twitter account.

Besim was a friend and alleged co-conspirator of Abdul Numan Haider, who was suspected of plotting an attack against Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot.“Abdul Numan Haider was ‘stabbing a police officer’ when he was shot dead,” Associated Press, October 2, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/oct/03/abdul-numan-haider-stabbing-policeman-when-he-was-shot-dead-court-hears. Police discovered that Haider had been researching the Prime Minister’s travel plans and arranged a meeting with the suspect for investigation.“Melbourne shooting: What we know about Abdul Numan Haider, shot dead after stabbing anti-terrorism officers at Endeavour Hills,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation, September 24, 2014, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-24/what-we-know-about-abdul-numan-haider/5767044. At the meeting on September 23, Haider stabbed a police officer, and was subsequently shot.“Abdul Numan Haider was ‘stabbing a police officer’ when he was shot dead,” Associated Press, October 2, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/oct/03/abdul-numan-haider-stabbing-policeman-when-he-was-shot-dead-court-hears.

Besim’s Twitter account gained attention from authorities after he tweeted to the police on September 25th, demanding footage of Haider’s shooting. Public alarm surrounding Besim increased significantly after Besim was found on Haider’s list of associates.Stephanie Anderson, “Melbourne terror suspect Sevdet Besim denied bail over alleged Anzac Day attack plot,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation, May 26, 2015, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-26/melbourne-terror-suspect-sevdet-besim-denied-bail-anzac-plot/6497324.

Ali Shukri Amin is a teenager from Manassas, Virginia, who recruited and propagandized for ISIS on several online platforms including Twitter, Ask.fm, and a blog entitled, “Al-Khilafah Aridat.”“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ALI SHUKRI AMIN, Defendant,” United States Department of Justice, June 11, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/477371/download. Amin’s online presence grew substantially in June 2014, when he created his now suspended Twitter account, @AmreekiWitness, which quickly accumulated over 4,000 followers.Mike Levine, “Virginia teen Ali Shukri Amin allegedly admits radicalizing others to join ISIS,” ABC News, June 11, 2015, http://abcnews.go.com/News/virginia-teen-allegedly-admits-radicalizing-join-isis/story?id=31690153. Through @AmreekiWitness, Amin glorified ISIS and defended the beheadings of several Western journalists.“Virginia teen pleads guilty to supporting ISIS,” CBS, June 11, 2015, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/virginia-teen-ali-shukri-amin-pleads-guilty-to-supporting-isis/. In the summer of 2014, Amin tweeted actively in response to the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, using the incident as a platform for recruiting for ISIS.Souad Mekhennet, “Even the Islamists of ISIS are obsessing over Ferguson,” Washington Post, August 21, 2014, http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/08/21/even-islamist-fighters-in-syria-and-iraq-are-obsessing-over-ferguson/.

[Source: Daily Mail]

[Source: Daily Mail]

[Source: SITE Intelligence Group]

The FBI arrested Amin in Virginia on February 27, 2015.Matt Zapotosky, “Northern Va. Teen thought to have helped man join Islamic State,” Washington Post, March 4, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/northern-va-teen-thought-to-have-helped-man-join-islamic-state/2015/03/04/51c7ec34-c1e6-11e4-ad5c-3b8ce89f1b89_story.html. On June 11, he pleaded guilty in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, to conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.Matt Zapotosky, “Va. Teen admits he was secret voice behind an pro-ISIS Twitter account,” Washington Post, June 11, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/northern-va-teen-admits-running-pro-islamic-state-twitter-and-helping-man-join-terrorist-group/2015/06/11/1d0cb33e-0eef-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html. In late August 2015, a federal court sentenced him to over 11 years in prison.Associated Press, “Teen gets more than 11 years for helping Islamic State group,” Washington Post, August 28, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/teen-gets-more-than-11-years-for-helping-islamic-state/2015/08/28/aab014ba-4d8d-11e5-80c2-106ea7fb80d4_story.html. On April 27, 2018, the court granted the government’s motion for a reduction in Amin’s sentence from 136 months to 72 months under Rule 35 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure,“United States of America v. ALI SHUKRI AMIN – Supplement Aid in Reduction of Sentencing,” United States District Court – Eastern District of Virginia Alexandria Division, April 27, 2018, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/AminSentenceReductionOrder.pdf. which allows for a reduction in a defendant’s sentence if the defendant provides “substantial assistance” to the government after sentencing.“Rule 35: Correcting or Reducing a Sentence,” Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute, https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcrmp/rule_35. He was released on May 5, 2020.“ALI SHUKRI AMIN,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 9, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.

Amin garnered financial support for ISIS, directing followers to donate to the terror group through Bitcoin, an online payment system that allows for financial transactions to be conducted anonymously and without an intermediary.“Virginia teen pleads guilty to supporting ISIS,” CBS, June 11, 2015, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/virginia-teen-ali-shukri-amin-pleads-guilty-to-supporting-isis/. Amin also posted several articles on his blog that demonstrated how to use Bitcoin to donate anonymously to ISIS.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ALI SHUKRI AMIN, Defendant,” United States Department of Justice, June 11, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/477371/download. He urged readers to use a specific Bitcoin wallet called “Dark Wallet,” which would mask the donor’s identity.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ALI SHUKRI AMIN, Defendant,” United States Department of Justice, June 11, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/477371/download. On his blog, Amin instructed his readers on how to use “security measures in online communications, [including] encryption and anonymity software,” according to the United States Department of Justice.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ALI SHUKRI AMIN, Defendant,” United States Department of Justice, June 11, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/477371/download.

Amin operated an Ask.fm account under the name AmreekiWitness, which, according to the Washington Post, Amin characterized as “dedicated to raising awareness about the upcoming conquest of the Americas, and the benefits it has upon the American people.”Matt Zapotosky, “Va. Teen admits he was secret voice behind an pro-ISIS Twitter account,” Washington Post, June 11, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/northern-va-teen-admits-running-pro-islamic-state-twitter-and-helping-man-join-terrorist-group/2015/06/11/1d0cb33e-0eef-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html.

In September 2014, Amin began radicalizing fellow Virginian Reza Niknejad, to which he admitted in his plea agreement.Mike Levine, “Virginia teen Ali Shukri Amin allegedly admits radicalizing others to join ISIS,” ABC News, June 11, 2015, http://abcnews.go.com/News/virginia-teen-allegedly-admits-radicalizing-join-isis/story?id=31690153. Niknejad traveled to Syria on January 14, 2015. Amin accompanied Niknejad to the airport and put him in contact with unnamed ISIS militants with whom he had formed connections over social media.Matt Zapotosky, “Va. Teen admits he was secret voice behind an pro-ISIS Twitter account,” Washington Post, June 11, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/northern-va-teen-admits-running-pro-islamic-state-twitter-and-helping-man-join-terrorist-group/2015/06/11/1d0cb33e-0eef-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html.

Upon his 2020 release, U.S. authorities placed multiple restrictions on Amin, including a lifelong restriction on meeting with extremists. In January 2023, court documents came to light revealing the FBI recorded Amin meeting with convicted foreign fighter John Walker Lindh on three separate occasions in 2021. Known colloquially as the “American Taliban,” Lindh is a U.S. citizen and convicted former foreign fighter for al-Qaeda and the Taliban who was captured in Afghanistan in 2001 and convicted in the United States in October 2002 on terrorism charges. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but he was released early for good behavior in May 2019. Lindh was placed under communications restrictions, which expired in 2022 but were in effect during his meetings with Amin. Authorities launched an investigation into Amin’s alleged parole violation but did not immediately begin an investigation into Lindh. According to court documents, however, Lindh “remains a known extremist and is believed by the FBI to hold extremist ideations.”Rachel Weiner, “‘American Taliban’ John Walker Lindh released from prison after 17 years,” Washington Post, May 23, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/american-taliban-john-walker-lindh-set-to-be-released-from-prison-after-17-years/2019/05/22/11aaba92-7041-11e9-9f06-5fc2ee80027a_story.html?utm_term=.02e3d2b78aa1; Matthew Barakat, “FBI: ‘American Taliban’ Lindh meets with released extremist,” Associated Press, January 26, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-group-crime-organized-united-kingdom-government-legal-proceedings-726e5ae5da9915bbd8b1d8ea56bfc13e.

Nihad Rosic is a Bosnian immigrant to the United States, charged with terrorist-related crimes including conspiring to provide material support, money, and resources to a foreign terrorist group, as well as attempting to kill in a foreign country.“Six Defendants Charged with Conspiracy and Providing Material Support to Terrorists,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 6, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/six-defendants-charged-conspiracy-and-providing-material-support-terrorists. In March 2015, Rosic appeared in court in St. Louis, Missouri, and pled not guilty to the charges leveled against him.Dan Gray, “Terror suspect pleads not guilty to charges,” Fox 2, March 10, 2015, http://fox2now.com/2015/03/10/terror-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges/.

Federal authorities began tracking Rosic and his alleged co-conspirators in 2013.Melanie Eversley and Kevin Johnson, “Feds lodge terror charges against six,” USA Today, February 7, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/06/terror-charges-syria/23013981/. In February 2014, Rosic was arrested and charged alongside alleged co-conspirators Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, Sedina Unkic Hodzic, Armin Harcevic, Mediha Medy Salkicevic, and Jasminka Ramic on a number of terrorism-related crimes.“Six Defendants Charged with Conspiracy and Providing Material Support to Terrorists,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 6, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/six-defendants-charged-conspiracy-and-providing-material-support-terrorists.

Before his indictment, Rosic was a truck driver.Dan Gray, “Terror suspect pleads not guilty to charges,” Fox 2, March 10, 2015, http://fox2now.com/2015/03/10/terror-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges/. In November 2011, he was charged with endangering the welfare of a child after he allegedly punched in the face a woman who had been holding a child in her arms.Melanie Eversley and Kevin Johnson, “Feds lodge terror charges against six,” USA Today, February 7, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/06/terror-charges-syria/23013981/. Less than a year later, Rosic was charged with assault for allegedly beating his girlfriend with a belt.Melanie Eversley and Kevin Johnson, “Feds lodge terror charges against six,” USA Today, February 7, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/06/terror-charges-syria/23013981/.

Twitter personality “Abuqital ibn tauheed” is a propagandist for ISIS.Abuqital ibn tauheed, Twitter, accessed June 17, 2015, https://twitter.com/abuqitall24. Purportedly a young man living in ISIS-held territory, Abuqital uses Twitter as a platform to spread ISIS propaganda, celebrate violent jihad, and glorify the self-proclaimed Islamic State.

Before suspension, Tauheed’s Twitter feed was full of violent and propagandizing imagery. One image portrays a newborn baby wrapped in an ISIS flag, positioned next to a gun and a grenade.Abuqital ibn tauheed, Twitter post, June 6, 2015, 7:10 a.m., https://twitter.com/abuqitall24/status/607355762902487040. Other photos depict gun-wielding militants plastered with the words “victory or martyrdom,”Abuqital ibn tauheed, Twitter post, June 6, 6:38 p.m., accessed June 18, 2015, https://twitter.com/abuqitall24/status/607360928582107136. or small children holding large gunsAbuqital ibn tauheed, Twitter post, June 6, 7:03 p.m., accessed June 17, 2015, https://twitter.com/abuqitall24/status/607367239977730050. draped in the ISIS flag.Abuqital ibn tauheed, Twitter post, June 6, 6:36 p.m., accessed June 17, 2015, https://twitter.com/abuqitall24/status/607360498829533184.

He largely tweets or retweets graphics that depict ISIS fighters,Abuqital ibn tauheed, Twitter post, June 6, 6:45 p.m., accessed June 18, 2015, https://twitter.com/abuqitall24/status/607362686918127617. men on horses carrying the ISIS flag,Abuqital ibn tauheed, Twitter post, June 6, 6:33 p.m., accessed June 18, 2015, https://twitter.com/abuqitall24/status/607359781213487104. women holding the ISIS flag,Abuqital ibn tauheed, Twitter post, June 7, 5:01 p.m., accessed June 18, 2015, https://twitter.com/abuqitall24/status/607698986594533376. and weaponry.Abuqital ibn tauheed, Twitter post, June 6, 6:31 p.m., accessed June 18, 2015, https://twitter.com/abuqitall24/status/607359092554932224.

“Ghareeba” is the username of a Twitter personality who utilizes Twitter to glorify ISIS and encourage Muslims to travel to ISIS-controlled territory. Ghareeba has tweeted that the only benefit of Twitter is “da3wa (proselytizing) for the sake of Allah.”Ghareeba, Twitter post, May 21, 2015, 2:01 a.m., https://twitter.com/AlMuhajiraah07/status/601312900360347648. Many of Ghareeba’s tweets have derided Western governments, dismissing them as kuffar, or nonbelievers.Ghareeba, Twitter post, May 22, 2015, 9:15 a.m., https://twitter.com/AlMuhajiraah07/status/601783732610170882.

Ghareeba is feminine Arabic adjective meaning “strange,” while a muhajiraah is a female immigrant. Many women who travel to ISIS-controlled territory characterize themselves as muhajiraah. Based on her tweets, Ghareeba is most likely female. Her location on Twitter is listed as Ash-Sham, or Syria.Ghareeba, Twitter, accessed June 16, 2015, https://twitter.com/AlMuhajiraah07. Ghareeba tweets in either English or Dutch, but also uses Arabic in evoking religious slogans, leading CEP to believe Ghareeba is a woman from Holland living in an ISIS-controlled area. Because Ghareeba has been mentioned in tweets by Dutch female Raqqa resident and ISIS twitter propagandist @Oumhaarith, CEP believes she too lives in or near Raqqa, Syria.Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 25, 2015, 9:52 a.m., https://twitter.com/oumhaarith/status/602879914472247296.

A majority of Ghareeba’s tweets quote radical ideologues and encourage martyrdom. Many of her tweets contain religious manipulation, urging Muslims to travel to Syria or martyr themselves for God.Ghareeba, Twitter post, May 21, 2015, 4:08 a.m., https://twitter.com/AlMuhajiraah07/status/601343861521252352. Ghareeba often calls on Muslims to “sacrifice themselves for Allah”Ghareeba, Twitter post May 6, 2015, 1:53 a.m., https://twitter.com/AlMuhajiraah07/status/595873942994288641. and have their “faith be bigger than your fear.”Ghareeba, Twitter post, May 23, 2015, 1:36 a.m., https://twitter.com/AlMuhajiraah07/status/602030256023801856. Ghareeba and fellow female Dutch ISIS resident Oum Haarith often tweet their personal hopes for martyrdom.Ghareeba, Twitter post, May 20, 2015, 11:48 a.m., https://twitter.com/AlMuhajiraah07/status/601097212643409920. Ghareeba once tweeted that coalition warplanes represent an opportunity for martyrdom for female ISIS members.Ghareeba, Twitter post, May 13, 2015, 2:10 a.m., https://twitter.com/AlMuhajiraah07/status/598414935421546496. Many of Ghareeba’s tweets endorse and discuss the benefits of jannah (paradise) and criticize the material world.Ghareeba, Twitter post, May 26, 2015, 2:22 a.m., https://twitter.com/AlMuhajiraah07/status/603129164145795073.

Ghareeba calls ISIS territory “paradise”Ghareeba, Twitter post, May 23rd, 2015, 5:22 a.m., https://twitter.com/AlMuhajiraah07/status/602087307739590656. and describes her decision to move there as the best decision of her life.Ghareeba, Twitter post, May 12, 2015, 5:00 a.m., https://twitter.com/AlMuhajiraah07/status/598095409999917056.

Siddhartha Dhar, a.k.a. Abu Rumaysah, was a prominent British jihadist and ISIS propagandist believed to operate out of Raqqa, Syria.Richard Spencer, “Anjem Choudary’s prime supporter says ‘Jihadi John’ justified in beheading captives,” Telegraph (London), March 4, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11449598/Anjem-Choudarys-prime-supporter-says-Jihadi-John-justified-in-beheading-captives.html. He reportedly traveled to ISIS-controlled territory in September 2014.Richard Spencer, “Anjem Choudary’s prime supporter says ‘Jihadi John’ justified in beheading captives,” Telegraph (London), March 4, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11449598/Anjem-Choudarys-prime-supporter-says-Jihadi-John-justified-in-beheading-captives.html. Rumaysah reportedly authored the 46-page manifesto “A Brief Guide to the Islamic State,” an e-book released in early May 2015 aimed at recruiting Western foreign fighters.Heather Saul, “ISIS ‘tourist guide’: British jihadist Abu Ramaysah publishes e-book comparing self-declared caliphate to ‘plush holiday resort,’” Independent (London), May 19, 2015, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-tourist-guide-british-jihadist-abu-rumaysah-publishes-ebook-comparing-selfdeclared-caliphate-to-plush-holiday-resort-10260868.html. In the e-book, Rumaysah described the ‘caliphate’ in vivid terms, as akin to a “plush holiday resort” with an “exquisite Mediterranean climate.”Heather Saul, “ISIS ‘tourist guide’: British jihadist Abu Ramaysah publishes e-book comparing self-declared caliphate to ‘plush holiday resort,’” Independent (London), May 19, 2015, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-tourist-guide-british-jihadist-abu-rumaysah-publishes-ebook-comparing-selfdeclared-caliphate-to-plush-holiday-resort-10260868.html. Rumaysah became known as Jihadi Sid after appearing in a 2016 ISIS execution video. He was allegedly killed in 2017.Tom Well, “‘JIHADI SID’ KILLED ‘Jihadi Sid’, the British former bouncy castle salesman turned ISIS fiend, is believed to have been killed in drone strike, officials say,” Sun (London), October 19, 2018, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7538880/jihadi-sid-killed-drone-strike/.

The cover of Rumaysah’s “e-book.” Image source: Independent

Rumaysah is a Hindu convert to Islam.Richard Spencer, “Anjem Choudary’s prime supporter says ‘Jihadi John’ justified in beheading captives,” Telegraph (London), March 4, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11449598/Anjem-Choudarys-prime-supporter-says-Jihadi-John-justified-in-beheading-captives.html. Before fleeing to ISIS-controlled territory in Syria, Rumaysah was an associate of the extremist British Islamist preacher and convicted ISIS supporter Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Mizanur Rahman.Richard Spencer, “Anjem Choudary’s prime supporter says ‘Jihadi John’ justified in beheading captives,” Telegraph (London), March 4, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11449598/Anjem-Choudarys-prime-supporter-says-Jihadi-John-justified-in-beheading-captives.html; “Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman convicted of inviting support for Daesh,” Crown Prosecution Service, August 16, 2016, http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/latest_news/anjem_choudary_and_mohammed_rahman_convicted_of_inviting_support_for_daesh/; Omar Wahid, “Freed and back on London's streets: Hate preacher who inspired ISIS executioner is released after serving just half of his jail sentence,” Daily Mail (London), November 10, 2018, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6375975/Hate-preacher-inspired-ISIS-executioner-released-serving-just-half-jail-sentence.html. Rahman and Rumaysah were reportedly childhood friends. Rahman allegedly converted Rumaysah to Islam and then radicalized him through the now-defunct British Islamist network led by Choudary and Rahman, al-Muhajiroun.Omar Wahid, “Freed and back on London's streets: Hate preacher who inspired ISIS executioner is released after serving just half of his jail sentence,” Daily Mail (London), November 10, 2018, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6375975/Hate-preacher-inspired-ISIS-executioner-released-serving-just-half-jail-sentence.html. Rumaysah was also believed to be in contact with Michael Adebolajo, one of the men who murdered British soldier Fusilier Lee Rigby in May 2013.Richard Spencer, “Anjem Choudary’s prime supporter says ‘Jihadi John’ justified in beheading captives,” Telegraph (London), March 4, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11449598/Anjem-Choudarys-prime-supporter-says-Jihadi-John-justified-in-beheading-captives.html. Rumaysah was arrested alongside Choudary in September 2014 for encouraging terrorism and promoting al-Muhajiroun.Richard Spencer, “Anjem Choudary’s prime supporter says ‘Jihadi John’ justified in beheading captives,” Telegraph (London), March 4, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11449598/Anjem-Choudarys-prime-supporter-says-Jihadi-John-justified-in-beheading-captives.html. Rumaysah received bail after forfeiting his passport but was able to travel to Syria via Paris and Turkey.Richard Spencer, “Anjem Choudary’s prime supporter says ‘Jihadi John’ justified in beheading captives,” Telegraph (London), March 4, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11449598/Anjem-Choudarys-prime-supporter-says-Jihadi-John-justified-in-beheading-captives.html. By the time he left for Syria, British authorities had reportedly arrested Rumaysah a total of six times.“Isil jihadist Siddhartha Dhar interviewed in new Channel 4 documentary 'The Jihadis Next Door',” Telegraph (London), January 19, 2016, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/12106995/Isil-jihadist-Siddhartha-Dhar-interviewed-in-new-Channel-4-documentary-The-Jihadis-Next-Door.html.

Following ISIS’s June 2014 declaration of the caliphate, Rumaysah reportedly encouraged Choudary to support ISIS on social media. Both men were arrested shortly thereafter.Jamie Grierson, Vikram Dodd, and Jason Rodrigues, “Anjem Choudary convicted of supporting Islamic State,” Guardian (London), August 16, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/16/anjem-choudary-convicted-of-supporting-islamic-state. Choudary was convicted of supporting ISIS in June 2016.“Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman convicted of inviting support for Daesh,” Crown Prosecution Service, August 16, 2016, http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/latest_news/anjem_choudary_and_mohammed_rahman_convicted_of_inviting_support_for_daesh/. In January 2016, Rumaysah appeared in an ISIS propaganda video in which he called British Prime Minister David Cameron an imbecile and then executed five prisoners accused of spying for the United Kingdom. It was after this video that British media labeled him Jihadi Sid.“Islamic State video suspect thought to be Briton Siddhartha Dhar,” BBC News, January 5, 2016, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35228558; Tom Well, “‘JIHADI SID’ KILLED ‘Jihadi Sid’, the British former bouncy castle salesman turned ISIS fiend, is believed to have been killed in drone strike, officials say,” Sun (London), October 19, 2018, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7538880/jihadi-sid-killed-drone-strike/.

Rumaysah, his wife, and their five children were allegedly killed in Syria in 2017. British officials could not confirm his death.Tom Well, “‘JIHADI SID’ KILLED ‘Jihadi Sid’, the British former bouncy castle salesman turned ISIS fiend, is believed to have been killed in drone strike, officials say,” Sun (London), October 19, 2018, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7538880/jihadi-sid-killed-drone-strike/.

Twitter personality “Oum Haarith” is a propagandist for ISIS. Purportedly a young woman living in ISIS-held territory, Haarith uses Twitter as a platform to broadcast her life under ISIS’s rule.Oum Haarith, Twitter, accessed June 15, 2015, https://twitter.com/OumHaarith. She has encouraged Twitter followers to perform what she and other jihadists refer to as hijrah (migration), an Islamic term employed by jihadists to encourage relocation and foreign fighting. In her Twitter feed, Haarith advocates migration to ISIS-held territory.Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 18, 2015, 6:22 p.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/600426238516338688.

Haarith’s tweets appear aimed at giving her followers the sense that women in ISIS lead a social and (from her perspective) idyllic lifestyle. Haarith’s Twitter feed is populated with pictures of desserts and snacks.Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 20, 2015, 7:37 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/600988623526297601; Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 20, 2015, 2:44 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/600915010366414848; Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 19, 2015, 10:23 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/600668122014687232. She also frequently references other female friends and members of ISIS.Oum Haarith, Twitter, accessed June 15, 2015, https://twitter.com/OumHaarith. Many of Haarith’s tweets are publicized in tandem with Twitter cohorts “JustMuhajirah”Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 25, 2015, 7:25 a.m.,, https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/602797747209695234. and “Ghareeba” (@AlMuhajiraah07).Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 25, 2015, 12:37 p.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/602876246029119488. The three accounts often allude to each other, and each personality claims to engage in activities with the others such as eating and baking.Oum Haarith, Twitter post, June 11, 2015, 7:10 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/608954330142633984.

In addition to marketing life in ISIS territory, Haarith frequently quotes extremist ideologues, including deceased al-Qaeda founders Osama bin LadenOum Haarith, Twitter post, May 23, 2015, 1:20 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/601981088358080512. and Abdullah Azzam.Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 23, 2015, 12:05 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/601962132813516800. Haarith frequently propagates hate against kuffar (nonbelievers), purporting to do so in the name of Islam.Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 21, 2015, 7:29 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/601349106620112896. She also advocates a culture of death and martyrdom.Oum Haarith, Twitter post, June 3, 2015, 8:04 p.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/606250117671342081. In Haarith’s Twitter description, she labels herself “Zawzjatu Shaheed,” widow of a martyr.Oum Haarith, Twitter, accessed June 15, 2015, https://twitter.com/OumHaarith; “ISIS Members Advertise Marital Status On Twitter,” Middle East Media Research Institute, June 3, 2015, http://www.memrijttm.org/isis-members-advertise-marital-status-on-twitter.html.

While Haarith writes largely in English, she has occasionally posted in DutchOum Haarith, Twitter post, May 18, 2015, 2:27 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/600185805399846912; Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 18, 2015, 2:24 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/600185274719670273. and referenced the Netherlands,Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 22, 2015, 11:38 p.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/601955454609141760; Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 23, 2015, 10:53 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/602125312537849856; Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 19, 2015, 1:05 p.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/600708792343461888. leading CEP to believe that Haarith may have come to ISIS-held territory from Holland. On Twitter, Haarith claims to operate out of ISIS-held Raqqa, Syria.Oum Haarith, Twitter, accessed June 15, 2015, https://twitter.com/OumHaarith; Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 21, 2015, 4:20 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/601301621713305601; Oum Haarith, Twitter post, May 20, 2015, 2:44 a.m., https://twitter.com/OumHaarith/status/600915010366414848.

Twitter personality Bint Stranger uses the social media platform to spread propaganda on behalf of ISIS. Using variations on the main Bint Stranger appellation, she has been repeatedly suspended by the website.Bint Stranger, Twitter, accessed June 17, 2015, https://twitter.com/Bnt_Str___111; Bint Stranger, Twitter, accessed June 18, 2015, https://twitter.com/No2_Kuffar_. Her Twitter bios have expressed antipathy towards kuffar (nonbelievers).

Bint Stranger is most likely female. Her profile photos are generally characterized by stylized images of a woman dressed in a black burqa. Other Twitter users refer to “Bint Stranger” as “sister.” She posts extensively—dozens of times daily—and in English. She encourages other Twitter users to follow and retweet ISIS propagandists, whom she frequently references.Bint Stranger, Twitter, accessed June 18, 2015, https://twitter.com/No2_Kuffar_; Bint Stranger, Twitter post, June 18, 2015, 8.38 a.m., https://twitter.com/No2_Kuffar_/status/611558707890139136. Despite repeated suspensions often occurring in the same day, “Bint Stranger” appears unwavering in her commitment to continue using Twitter to disseminate ISIS propaganda.Bint Stranger, Twitter post, June 17, 2015, 1.34 p.m., https://twitter.com/No2_Kuffar_/status/611270692370255872. CEP has been monitoring “Bint Stranger” since October 2014.