Abu Yasir al-Jazairi

Abu Yasir al-Jazairi is an internationally designated senior leader and operative in al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Al-Jazairi serves as the official spokesperson and a senior religious scholar for the al-Qaeda affiliate.“COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2023/329 of 10 February 2023,” EUR-Lex, February 13, 2013, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R0329. In over four decades, al-Jazairi has served as a financial leader, travel facilitator, and communications expert for the al-Qaeda network. On January 9, 2002, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated al-Jazairi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).“SDGT Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 9, 2002, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20020109.

In 1986, al-Jazairi reportedly left Algeria for Afghanistan, which was occupied by Soviet forces at the time.U.S. Department of Defense, “JTF-GTMO Detainee Assessment,” Wikileaks, July 8, 2008, https://wikileaks.org/gitmo/pdf/ag/pk9ag-001452dp.pdf. Information is limited on al-Jazairi’s role in Afghanistan through the 1990s, but he served as the head of finance and propaganda for al-Qaeda in Afghanistan until at least September 2001.U.S. Department of Defense,“JTF-GTMO Detainee Assessment,” Miami Herald, July 7, 2008, https://media.miamiherald.com/static/images/escenic-images/gitmopdfs/pk9ym-001457dp.pdf. In early 2001, al-Jazairi purportedly relocated to Karachi, Pakistan, where he coordinated travel and safe houses for al-Qaeda members and their families in the country.U.S. Department of Defense, “JTF-GTMO Detainee Assessment,” Miami Herald, July 7, 2008, https://media.miamiherald.com/static/images/escenic-images/gitmopdfs/pk9ym-001457dp.pdf.

In 2002, al-Jazairi served as both the finance chief of Afghan Support Committee (ASC)—a non-government organization established by Osama bin Laden—and the head of organized fundraising for the al-Qaeda founder. Although the ASC claimed to be a charitable organization for orphans and widows, it was in reality a money laundering enterprise, raising funds that were later distributed to al-Qaeda operatives.“FACT SHEET: The Continuing War on Terrorist Assets,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 9, 2002, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/po909. Al-Jazairi’s actions garnered international attention, and on January 9, 2002, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated al-Jazairi as an SDGT for financing and facilitating terrorism. “SDGT Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 9, 2002, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20020109. On January 11, 2002, the United Nations and the European Commission also added al-Jazairi to their sanctions lists. “BOUBEKEUR BOULGHITI,” U.N. Security Council, January 11, 2002, https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/abu-bakr-al-jaziri; “COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2023/329 of 10 February 2023,” EUR-Lex, February 13, 2013, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R0329.

In 2003, Pakistan’s Federal Information Minister called al-Jazairi one of al-Qaeda’s top seven leaders. “Off the Record U.S. Responsibility for Enforced Disappearances in the ‘War on Terror,’” Amnesty International, June 2007, https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/amr510932007en.pdf. On March 15, 2003, Pakistani intelligence officials raided a house in Bhagatpura, Lahore, where they arrested al-Jazairi and five of his associates. Paolo Farer, “Suspected al Qaida operative, Yassir Al-Jazeeri, arrested in eastern Lahore,” Associated Press, March 18, 2003, https://www.9news.com/article/news/suspected-al-qaida-operative-yassir-al-jazeeri-arrested-in-eastern-lahore/73-345392185;  K J M Varma, “Key Al Qaeda operative held in Pakistan,” Rediff, March 16, 2003, https://www.rediff.com/news/2003/mar/16pak.htm. The United States confirmed al-Jazairi’s capture in July 2003. “Fact Sheet: Progress in the Global War on Terrorism,” George W. Bush White House Archives, July 1, 2003, https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2003/07/20030701-13.html. According to Amnesty International, al-Jazairi was held in a CIA-operated portion of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2004 before he was transferred to a secret U.S. detention facility in April 2004.“Off the Record U.S. Responsibility for Enforced Disappearances in the ‘War on Terror,’” Amnesty International, June 2007, https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/amr510932007en.pdf; “Ghost Prisoner: Two Years in Secret CIA Detention,” Human Rights Watch, February 26, 2007, https://www.hrw.org/report/2007/02/26/ghost-prisoner/two-years-secret-cia-detention. Al-Jazairi was reportedly subject to physical and auditory torture from his Russian guards and American interrogators until at least 2006.“Off the Record U.S. Responsibility for Enforced Disappearances in the “War on Terror”,” Amnesty International, June 2007, https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/amr510932007en.pdf; “Ghost Prisoner: Two Years in Secret CIA Detention,” Human Rights Watch, February 26, 2007, https://www.hrw.org/report/2007/02/26/ghost-prisoner/two-years-secret-cia-detention. At some point while in U.S. custody, al-Jazairi began disclosing information on al-Qaeda membership and operations, as noted in various Department of Defense documents from 2008 assessing the status of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay.U.S. Department of Defense, “JTF-GTMO Detainee Assessment,” Wikileaks, July 8, 2008, https://wikileaks.org/gitmo/pdf/ag/pk9ag-001452dp.pdf; U.S. Department of Defense, “JTF-GTMO Detainee Assessment,” Miami Herald, July 7, 2008, https://media.miamiherald.com/static/images/escenic-images/gitmopdfs/pk9ym-001457dp.pdf.

On July 19, 2006, al-Jazairi’s name was included in the “Terrorists No Longer a Threat” list that was read into the U.S. Congressional Record by Representative J. Gresham Barrett from South Carolina, Representative Thaddeus McCotter from Michigan, Representative John Carter from Texas, and then-Representative Melissa Hart from Pennsylvania. The reasons for his inclusion on the list were not disclosed.“Off the Record U.S. Responsibility for Enforced Disappearances in the ‘War on Terror,’” Amnesty International, June 2007, https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/amr510932007en.pdf. On December 19, 2014, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released a report documenting the CIA’s detention and interrogation program, which revealed al-Jazairi was subject to “enhanced interrogation techniques” for almost three-and-a-half years between 2003 and 2006. “Report of the Senate Select Committee On Intelligence Committee Study of the Central Intelligence Agency's Detention and Interrogation Program Together with Foreword by Chairman Feinstein and Additional and Minority Views,” U.S. Congress, December 9, 2014, https://www.congress.gov/113/crpt/srpt288/CRPT-113srpt288.pdf; “U.S. Senate report on CIA practices,” Reuters, accessed January 15, 2025, https://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/14/CIA-detainees/index.html.

Reports have not yet confirmed if al-Jazairi was released from U.S. detention following his addition to the “Terrorists No Longer a Threat” list. However, according to the European Union, al-Jazairi was believed to be in Algeria as of April 2010 and May 2022, suggesting he was released at some point between 2006 and April 2010.“COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2023/329 of 10 February 2023,” EUR-Lex, February 13, 2013, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R0329.

Information on al-Jazairi’s whereabouts and activity is extremely limited from 2006 and 2023. Al-Jazairi resumed his activities with the al-Qaeda network, publicly emerging as the spokesperson of AQIM in 2023. Caleb Weiss, “Analysis: Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Encourages Its Sahelian Wing to Continue Fighting the Islamic State,” Long War Journal, April 20, 2023, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2023/04/analysis-al-qaeda-in-the-islamic-maghreb-encourages-its-sahelian-wing-to-continue-fighting-the-islamic-state.php. Al-Jazairi delivers sermons that are distributed to AQIM followers and supporters by Al-Andalus Foundation, AQIM’s official media arm.“Senior Al-Qaeda In Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Member: Algerian Constitution Violates Shari’a By Mandating Equality Between Citizens; ‘Apostate’ Algerian Rulers Dismiss Islamic Rulings On Treatment Of Christians And Jews,” Middle East Media Research Institute, November 14, 2024, https://www.memri.org/jttm/senior-al-qaeda-islamic-maghreb-aqim-member-algerian-constitution-violates-sharia-mandating#_edn3.

On April 20, 2023, al-Jazairi sent a message of encouragement to the Sahel-based AQIM-affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) in its recent battles against ISIS—JNIM’s primary rival in West Africa. According to al-Jazairi, ISIS fighters have “mastered heresy” as they fight for monetary gain and not for God.Caleb Weiss, “Analysis: Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Encourages Its Sahelian Wing to Continue Fighting the Islamic State,” Long War Journal, April 20, 2023, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2023/04/analysis-al-qaeda-in-the-islamic-maghreb-encourages-its-sahelian-wing-to-continue-fighting-the-islamic-state.php. On August 7, 2023, AQIM released a video entitled “Oh, citizens of Morocco,” in which al-Jazairi encouraged attacks targeting Morocco and reportedly attempted to recruit young Moroccan men to AQIM’s cause. The video was the first time AQIM specifically targeted Morocco.Marta Dorgambide, “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb launches propaganda campaign targeting Morocco,” Atalayar, August 7, 2023,  https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/politics/qaeda-in-the-islamic-maghreb-launches-propaganda-campaign-targeting-morocco/20230807175446189261.html.

Following the launch of the Hamas-Israel war on October 7, 2023, al-Jazairi appeared in the video “Al-Aqsa Flood Is More Powerful Than The Jews” on November 11, 2023. In the video, al-Jazairi compared the October 7 attack on Israel to the September 11, 2001, attacks, claiming the events were a battle between truth and falsehood. His statements also include the rejection of coexistence between the West and Muslims, and derision for the West as he claims it does not have any moral guidelines and lacks boundaries in warfare.FOOTNOTE On November 8, 2024, al-Jazairi appeared in a video entitled “Enlightening the Minds about the Apostasy of Algeria's Rulers.” In the video he emphasized that “unbelievers”—non-Muslims—can never be equated with “believers”—Muslims.“Senior Al-Qaeda In Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Member: Algerian Constitution Violates Shari’a By Mandating Equality Between Citizens; ‘Apostate’ Algerian Rulers Dismiss Islamic Rulings On Treatment Of Christians And Jews,” Middle East Media Research Institute, November 14, 2024, https://www.memri.org/jttm/senior-al-qaeda-islamic-maghreb-aqim-member-algerian-constitution-violates-sharia-mandating.

Also Known As

Extremist entity
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
Read Threat Report
Type(s) of Organization:
Insurgent, non-state actor, religious, terrorist, transnational, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
Position(s):
Senior ideologue

Al-Qaeda’s North African branch, AQIM, operates in Algeria, Mali, Niger, Libya, Mauritania, and Tunisia. The group has executed numerous violent attacks in North and West Africa. The group is also known for its extensive history of kidnapping and extortion. 

Extremist entity
Al-Qaeda
Read Threat Report
Type(s) of Organization:
Political, Religious, Terrorist, Violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Salafi, Jihadist, Islamist, Sunni, Qutbism, Wahabism, al-Qaeda affiliate
Position(s):
Financial head, membership facilitator

Al-Qaeda’s North African branch, AQIM, operates in Algeria, Mali, Niger, Libya, Mauritania, and Tunisia. The group has executed numerous violent attacks in North and West Africa. The group is also known for its extensive history of kidnapping and extortion. 

  • Designations
  • Rhetoric

United States

  • The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated “Abu Bakr Al-Jaziri” as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.“FACT SHEET: The Continuing War on Terrorist Assets,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 9, 2002, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/po909.

United Nations

European Union

  • The European Council added ‘Boubekeur Boulghiti to its sanctions list directed against certain persons and entities associated with the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida organisations on January 11, 2002.“COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2023/329 of 10 February 2023,” EUR-Lex, February 13, 2013, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R0329.

November 11, 2023

Statement on Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel:

 “October 7th is comparable to September 11th…the first victory of Muslims… revival of Islam and the Muslims…Muslims must abandon any ideas of peaceful coexistence with the West and must see them as an enemy…  Hatred of others, and the desire to conquer, kill, and expel them, are rooted in the faith and civil society of the Western nations, and particularly among the white man." Steven Stalinski, “Al Qaeda Threatens ‘Third 9/11’ After October 7,” Middle East Media Research Institute, September 11, 2023, https://www.memri.org/reports/23-years-later-al-qaeda-threatens-third-911-after-october-7-exhorts-pro-palestinian#_ednref7.

April 20, 2023

Statement on JNIM operations against Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP):

“The Khawarij [historical Islamic term used to denote the Islamic State] are the worst of creation under the surface of the sky… it is thus obligatory for the mujahideen [referring to JNIM] to fight the Islamic State and defend those oppressed by it. JNIM’s men would be considered as martyrs if they die in combat with the “Khawarij,” or Islamic State.”Caleb Weiss, “Analysis: Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Encourages Its Sahelian Wing to Continue Fighting the Islamic State,” Long War Journal, April 20, 2023, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2023/04/analysis-al-qaeda-in-the-islamic-maghreb-encourages-its-sahelian-wing-to-continue-fighting-the-islamic-state.php.

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Fact:

On April 3, 2017, the day Vladimir Putin was due to visit the city, a suicide bombing was carried out in the St. Petersburg metro, killing 15 people and injuring 64. An al-Qaeda affiliate, Imam Shamil Battalion, claimed responsibility. 

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