Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i

Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i is a U.S-designated ISIS senior leader. Al-Rufay’i serves as emir of the Bilad al-Rafidayn, ISIS’s Iraq division within the terror group’s General Directorate of Provinces (GDP) offices. Due to his leadership role in ISIS, the U.S. Department of State designated al-Rufay’i as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on June 8, 2023.“Terrorist Designation of ISIS General Directorate of Provinces Leaders,” U.S. Department of State, June 8, 2023, https://www.state.gov/terrorist-designation-of-isis-general-directorate-of-provinces-leaders/.

Rufay’i previously served as the wali (governor) of ISIS’s Iraq Province.“Terrorist Designation of ISIS General Directorate of Provinces Leaders,” U.S. Department of State, June 8, 2023, https://www.state.gov/terrorist-designation-of-isis-general-directorate-of-provinces-leaders/. It is uncertain when Rufay’i held that title, but it was likely shortly before or after 2019 when Hajji Taysir, a senior ISIS leader, held the position.“Country Reports on Terrorism 2019,” U.S. Department of State, 2020, https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2019/. Presumably following his role as wali, al-Rufay’i became emir of the Iraq-based Bilad al-Rufidayn office. ISIS’s regional divisions provide local affiliates with operational guidance and international funding.“Letter dated 11 July 2022 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, July 15, 2022, https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/S%202022%20547.pdf.

Given his direct roles in supporting ISIS and threatening peace and stability throughout Iraq, the U.S. Department of State designated al-Rufay’i as a SDGT on June 8, 2023.“Terrorist Designation of ISIS General Directorate of Provinces Leaders,” U.S. Department of State, June 8, 2023, https://www.state.gov/terrorist-designation-of-isis-general-directorate-of-provinces-leaders/.

Also Known As

Extremist entity
ISIS
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Type(s) of Organization:
Insurgent, territory-controlling, religious, terrorist, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Islamist, jihadist, pan-Islamist, Salafist, takfiri
Position(s):
Emir of Bilad al-Rafidayn Office

ISIS is a violent jihadist group based in Iraq and Syria. The group has declared wilayas (provinces) in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the North Caucasus. ISIS has also waged attacks in Turkey, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tunisia, and Kuwait.

  • Designations

United States

  • The U.S. Department of State designates Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on June 8, 2023.“Treasury Sanctions Syrian Financial Facilitators Under the Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 30, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1508.

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On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers. 

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