Overview
Mohammed Atef was a high-ranking al-Qaeda military commander and loyal associate of Osama bin Laden. He was involved in several terrorist attacks, including the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. Atef was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Afghanistan in November 2001. Ten months prior, bin Laden had personally nominated him as his replacement.“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; “The 9/11 Commission Report,” National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, accessed April 10, 2019, http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/report/911Report.pdf.
Atef briefly studied at Assiut University in Egypt, but dropped out and joined the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), a militant Islamist group that aimed to overthrow the Egyptian government and merged with al-Qaeda in 1998. Atef joined the Egyptian police force in 1980, in order to help EIJ militants to seize weapons from Egyptian authorities in their fight against Hosni Mubarak’s regime. Atef eventually became a top aide to EIJ founder Ayman Zawahiri, who has led al-Qaeda since bin Laden’s death in 2011.“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; Holly Fletcher, “Egyptian Islamic Jihad,” Council on Foreign Relations, May 29, 2008, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/egyptian-islamic-jihad; “‘Most-Wanted Terrorists,’” Washington Post, accessed April 10, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/10/11/most-wanted-terrorists/673bf81c-94d3-4bc7-b25d-1b7b7e32ba54/?utm_term=.a14a16f8cb8b; “Most Wanted Terrorists: Ayman Al-Zawahiri,” FBI, accessed August 7, 2017, https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/ayman-al-zawahiri. In 1999, an Egyptian court sentenced Atef to seven years in prison in absentia for his activities with the EIJ.“Taliban confirms death of Osama bin Laden’s military chief in U.S. strike,” Houston Chronicle, November 17, 2001, https://www.chron.com/news/article/Taliban-confirms-death-of-Osama-bin-Laden-s-2035185.php.
The Egyptian government’s crackdown on EIJ militants in the mid-1980s caused Atef and others to flee the country. Atef traveled to Pakistan and later Afghanistan to join the anti-Soviet jihad.“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; “'Most-Wanted Terrorists',” Washington Post, accessed April 10, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/10/11/most-wanted-terrorists/673bf81c-94d3-4bc7-b25d-1b7b7e32ba54/?utm_term=.a14a16f8cb8b. There, he met with bin Laden and the so-called “father of global jihad,” Abdullah Azzam, a Palestinian Islamist preacher who later helped found al-Qaeda.“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; Bruce Riedel, “The 9/11 Attacks’ Spiritual Father,” Daily Beast, September 11, 2011, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/09/11/abdullah-azzam-spiritual-father-of-9-11-attacks-ideas-live-on.html; Roland Jacquard, In the Name of Osama Bin Laden (Durham: Duke University Press: 2002), 59; Chris Suellentrop, “Abdullah Azzam: the godfather of jihad,” Slate, April 16, 2002, http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/2002/04/abdullah_azzam.html. In 1987, Atef started to work for bin Laden and Azzam’s Maktab al-Khidmat, or Services Bureau, which facilitated travel arrangements for jihadists willing to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan. Eager to fight himself, Atef helped to establish the Lion’s Den (Masada), an all-Arab jihadist training facility near Jaji, a town in the Paktia province in Eastern Afghanistan.“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; “Abu ‘Ubayda al-Banshiri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 9, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Ubayda_al-Banshiri.pdf; “Context of ‘May 1987: Bin Laden-Led Force Holds Out against Soviets at Battle of Lion’s Den, Wins Big Propaganda Victory,’” History Commons, accessed April 16, 2019, http://www.historycommons.org/context.jsp?item=a0587battleoflionsden; World Heritage Encyclopedia, “Battle Of Jaji,” Project Gutenberg Self-Publishing Press, accessed April 16, 2019, http://self.gutenberg.org/articles/eng/Battle_of_Jaji. The camp was located in close proximity to a large Soviet military compound and was attacked in 1987. The jihadists were clearly outnumbered by Soviet forces, but were able to cause them to retreat after several successful counterattacks. The jihadists maintained their position for weeks, but bin Laden ultimately ordered his men to return as he feared substantial losses. Nonetheless, bin Laden and his group—which later became al-Qaeda—gained widespread attention for this victory against the Soviets, and Atef became al-Qaeda’s security chief responsible for bin Laden’s safety. He also assumed the role as deputy military commander, behind Abu Ubayda al-Banshiri (a.k.a. Ali Amin Ali al-Rashidi), bin Laden’s second-in-command who died in 1996.“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; “Abu ‘Ubayda al-Banshiri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 9, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Ubayda_al-Banshiri.pdf; “Context of ‘May 1987: Bin Laden-Led Force Holds Out against Soviets at Battle of Lion’s Den, Wins Big Propaganda Victory,’” History Commons, accessed April 16, 2019, http://www.historycommons.org/context.jsp?item=a0587battleoflionsden; World Heritage Encyclopedia, “Battle Of Jaji,” Project Gutenberg Self-Publishing Press, accessed April 16, 2019, http://self.gutenberg.org/articles/eng/Battle_of_Jaji.
In 1992, Atef followed bin Laden to the Sudan, where he recruited, vetted, and trained new al-Qaeda members, set up cells, and planned and facilitated terrorist attacks. Atef also directed other senior militants and trainers, and helped establish front companies in Kenya to finance al-Qaeda’s activities throughout Africa. He was also responsible for connecting with local tribes in Somalia and offer assistance for those opposed to U.N. and U.S. intervention.“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; “‘Most-Wanted Terrorists,’” Washington Post, accessed April 10, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/10/11/most-wanted-terrorists/673bf81c-94d3-4bc7-b25d-1b7b7e32ba54/?utm_term=.a14a16f8cb8b. In this respect, Atef allegedly provided support to Somali militias and tribes and helped plan the October 1993 assault on U.S. Army Rangers in Somalia, which left 18 Americans dead and 73 injured.“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; “‘Most-Wanted Terrorists,’” Washington Post, accessed April 10, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/10/11/most-wanted-terrorists/673bf81c-94d3-4bc7-b25d-1b7b7e32ba54/?utm_term=.a14a16f8cb8b; Todd South, “The Battle of Mogadishu 25 years later: How the fateful fight changed combat operations,” Army Times, October 2, 2018, https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/10/02/the-battle-of-mogadishu-25-years-later-how-the-fateful-fight-changed-combat-operations/.
After Banshiri’s death in 1996, Atef became the primary military commander of al-Qaeda.“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; “‘Most-Wanted Terrorists,’” Washington Post, accessed April 10, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/10/11/most-wanted-terrorists/673bf81c-94d3-4bc7-b25d-1b7b7e32ba54/?utm_term=.a14a16f8cb8b. The same year, Atef returned to Afghanistan, where he oversaw the training at al-Qaeda’s terrorist camps and selected those recruits who would receive additional instructions, including suicide missions, targeted assassinations, and, among other things, making bombs and poisons. He also worked as bin Laden’s media adviser and arranged interviews with Western reporters. Moreover, Atef advocated and ultimately convinced bin Laden to pursue the means to produce and acquire weapons of mass destruction (WMD).“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; “‘Most-Wanted Terrorists,’” Washington Post, accessed April 10, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/10/11/most-wanted-terrorists/673bf81c-94d3-4bc7-b25d-1b7b7e32ba54/?utm_term=.a14a16f8cb8b.
Also in 1996, Atef and bin Laden met with Khalid Sheikh Muhammed (a.k.a. KSM) to discuss several terrorist plots, including KSM’s plan to use airplanes as weapons to attack U.S. targets. This concept would form the cornerstone of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack against the United States.“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; “The 9/11 Commission Report,” National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, accessed April 10, 2019, http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/report/911Report.pdf. The FBI placed Atef on their Most Wanted list following the 9/11 attacks, where he was known to have played a key role.“Profile: Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Al-Jazeera, March 13, 2004, https://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2004/03/20084101411479750.html; “The 9/11 Commission Report,” National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, accessed April 10, 2019, http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/report/911Report.pdf.
In November 1997, Atef and Zawahiri reportedly orchestrated the terrorist attack at Deir el-Bahari, an archaeological site and major tourist attraction located near Luxor, Egypt. The attack killed 62 people, mostly tourists, and became known as the Luxor massacre.“Profile: Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Al-Jazeera, March 13, 2004, https://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2004/03/20084101411479750.html; “November 17: On This Day in World History … briefly,” South Coast Herald, November 17, 2018, https://southcoastherald.co.za/328238/november-17-day-world-history-briefly/.
On August 7, 1998, nearly simultaneous bombs exploded in front of the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, killing a total of 224 people and wounding more than 5,000 others. The attacks were directly linked to al-Qaeda.“Wanted: Sayf al-Adl,” U.S. Department of State, Rewards for Justice Program, accessed March 25, 2019, https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/saif_al_adel.html; “East African Embassy Bombings,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, accessed March 26, 2019, https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/east-african-embassy-bombings. In November 1998, a U.S. grand jury indicted more than 20 people—including Atef—for their involvement.“United States of America vs. Osama bin Laden et al. - Indictment” U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, accessed March 26, 2019, https://www.nonproliferation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/us_indictment_against_bin_laden.pdf; “‘Most wanted terrorists’ list released,” CNN, October 10, 2001, http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/10/10/inv.mostwanted.list/.
In January 2001, Atef’s daughter married bin Laden’s son Mohamed in Kandahar, Afghanistan.“‘Most wanted terrorists’ list released,” CNN, October 10, 2001, http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/10/10/inv.mostwanted.list/; “Muhammad Atef,” Encyclopaedia Britannica, accessed April 10, 2019, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad-Atef. On November 9, 2001, the Taliban government announced they were bestowing official Afghan citizenship on Atef, as well as bin Laden, Zawahiri, and Shaykh Asim Abdulrahman.“Taliban grants Osama citizenship,” The Hindu, accessed April 10, 2019, https://www.thehindu.com/2001/11/10/stories/03100007.htm.
Atef was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Afghanistan in November 2001. His death represented a significant setback for bin Laden and al-Qaeda, as Atef was considered one of the terrorist group’s most talented and trusted members.“Abu Hafs al-Masri,” Combating Terrorism Center, accessed April 8, 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/app/uploads/2011/06/Abu_Hafs.pdf; “Muhammad Atef,” Encyclopaedia Britannica, accessed April 10, 2019, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad-Atef.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- Al-Qaeda
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Non-state actor, religious, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Jihadist, pan-Islamist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
- Position(s):
- Military commander, security chief, member of the Shura Council
Al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks was the deadliest ever on American soil, killing nearly 3,000 people. Since the fall of the Taliban, al-Qaeda has established operations worldwide, including in Syria, the Gulf, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.
History
United States
The U.S. Department of State designated Mohammed Atef a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224 on September 23, 2001.“Executive Order 13224,” U.S. Department of State, September 23, 2001, https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/122570.htm.
United Nations
The United Nations Security Council added Mohammed Atef to its Al-Qaida Sanctions List on January, 25, 2001 (amended on November 26, 2004, March 24, 2009, and May 13, 2011). On 2 July 2012, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) approved the deletion (delisting) of Mohammed Atef from the Al-Qaida Sanctions List.“Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Deletes Eight Individuals from Its Sanctions List,” United Nations Security Council, July 3, 2012, https://www.un.org/press/en/2012/sc10697.doc.htm.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
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