Adil Abduh Fari Uthman al-Dhubhani

Adil Abduh Fari Uthman al-Dhubhani is a prominent military instructor and commander of an AQAP-affiliated group, and has also fundraised for AQAP. Before his involvement with AQAP, Dhubhani fought with and financed ISIS’s affiliate in Yemen.“Treasury and Terrorist Financing Targeting Certain Partners Issue First Joint Sanctions Against Key Terrorists and Supporters,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 25, 2017, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0187.aspx. He was designated as a terrorist by the United States and six Gulf countries in October 2017.Thomas Joscelyn, “US and Gulf nations sanction 8 jihadists in Yemen,” Long War Journal, October 25, 2017, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/10/us-and-gulf-nations-sanction-8-jihadists-in-yemen.php.

Dhubhani was born in Yemen’s Taiz Governorate either on July 15, 1963, or in 1971, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He is a Yemeni citizen, and still resides in Taiz Governorate.“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 25, 2017, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20171025.aspx.

Dhubhani became involved with ISIS’s affiliate in Yemen sometime after the group was established in November 2014. In June 2016, Dhubhani fought with ISIS as part of the Sunni resistance movement in Taiz Governorate. He held a leadership position, as he was reported to have “deputies” who also fought with ISIS. Later that year, in October, Dhubhani financed ISIS-associated militants in the governorate in order to “secure continued support” for ISIS’s activities in Taiz, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.“Treasury and Terrorist Financing Targeting Certain Partners Issue First Joint Sanctions Against Key Terrorists and Supporters,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 25, 2017, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0187.aspx.

At some point in 2016 or 2017, Dhubhani switched his allegiance to AQAP. As of early 2017, he was a prominent military instructor with AQAP and reportedly commanded an AQAP-affiliated militant group composed of about 2,000 fighters. Also in 2017, Dhubhani collected funds for AQAP both in Taiz Governorate and from abroad.“Treasury and Terrorist Financing Targeting Certain Partners Issue First Joint Sanctions Against Key Terrorists and Supporters,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 25, 2017, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0187.aspx.

On October 25, 2017, the U.S. Treasury Department named Dhubhani a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for acting for or on behalf AQAP as well as for providing support or services to AQAP and ISIS.“Treasury and Terrorist Financing Targeting Certain Partners Issue First Joint Sanctions Against Key Terrorists and Supporters,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 25, 2017, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0187.aspx. Several Gulf countries also belonging to the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, a coalition of nations established in May 2017, also agreed to impose similar sanctions against Dhubhani on the same date. These countries included Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.Thomas Joscelyn, “US and Gulf nations sanction 8 jihadists in Yemen,” Long War Journal, October 25, 2017, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/10/us-and-gulf-nations-sanction-8-jihadists-in-yemen.php.

Also Known As

Extremist entity
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
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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):
Military Instructor, Military Leader

AQAP is the union of al-Qaeda’s affiliated branches in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. AQAP has claimed responsibility for terror attacks and plots worldwide, including the January 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris.

Extremist entity
ISIS
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Type(s) of Organization:
terrorist
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Islamist
Position(s):
Military Commander

AQAP is the union of al-Qaeda’s affiliated branches in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. AQAP has claimed responsibility for terror attacks and plots worldwide, including the January 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris.

Type(s) of Organization:
terrorist
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Islamist
Position(s):
Fundraiser

AQAP is the union of al-Qaeda’s affiliated branches in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. AQAP has claimed responsibility for terror attacks and plots worldwide, including the January 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris.

  • Designations

United States

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Saudi Arabia

Qatar

United Arab Emirates

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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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