Overview
Hani Ahmed al-Kurdi is a senior ISIS leader. On June 15, 2022, U.S.-led coalition forces captured al-Kurdi in an operation in northeast Syria.Gordon Lubold and Nancy Youssef, “Senior ISIS Leader Captured in Syria, U.S. Military Officials Say,” Wall Street Journal, June 16, 2022, https://www.wsj.com/articles/senior-isis-leader-captured-in-syria-u-s-military-officials-say-11655347828.
According to media sources, al-Kurdi is one of ISIS’s most influential figures in Syria. Al-Kurdi is also known as the “Wali of Raqqa,” which roughly translates to the governor of Raqqa. Media sources claim the name suggests al-Kurdi holds a significant role within the group as Raqqa was once ISIS’s de facto capital.Karoun Demirjian, “ISIS bomb maker detained in Syria raid, U.S. military says,” Washington Post, June 15, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/06/15/us-raid-isis-bomb-maker/. Additionally, according to a statement released by U.S. military personnel, al-Kurdi is “an experienced bomb maker and facilitator.” Media sources also reported a U.S. official described al-Kurdi as actively planning ISIS operations.Luis Martinez and Matt Seyler, “US military ground raid in Syria captures top ISIS leader described as 'experienced bomb maker',” ABC News, June 16, 2022, https://abc7ny.com/isis-leader-captured-raid-syria-us-captures-issi/11964691/.
On June 15, 2022, U.S.-led coalition forces launched an operation in northeast Syria, capturing al-Kurdi in the process.Gordon Lubold and Nancy Youssef, “Senior ISIS Leader Captured in Syria, U.S. Military Officials Say,” Wall Street Journal, June 16, 2022, https://www.wsj.com/articles/senior-isis-leader-captured-in-syria-u-s-military-officials-say-11655347828. BBC News reported that the operation occurred in al-Humayra, a town close to the Turkish border.David Gritten, “US-led coalition capture senior IS leader in north Syria raid,” BBC News, June 26, 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61824059.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- ISIS
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, territory-controlling, religious, terrorist, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, jihadist, pan-Islamist, Salafist, takfiri
- Position(s):
- Senior leader
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.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On May 8, 2019, Taliban insurgents detonated an explosive-laden vehicle and then broke into American NGO Counterpart International’s offices in Kabul. At least seven people were killed and 24 were injured.