Adnan Farah is Minnesotaa Somali-American and convicted ISIS supporter. On April 18, 2015, he was charged alongside his 21-year-old brother Mohamed Abdihamid Farah with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. He and his brother are part of a group of nine Minnesota-based friends who attempted to join the terror group in Syria.Laura Yuen, “3 of 9 Twin Cities men sentenced in ISIS conspiracy trial,” MPR News, November 14, 2016, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/14/first-day-of-sentencing-isis-trial.

Adnan applied for a U.S. passportLaura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “For mothers of terrorism suspects, nothing but sorrow,” MPR News, April 23, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/23/for-moms-of-terror-suspects-nothing-but-sorrow. in April 2014, citing that he intended to travel to China. His parents confiscated his passport, fearing that he would leave without notice.Laura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “Feds charge six Minnesotans with trying to join ISIS,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/6-charged-with-trying-to-join-isis. According to the criminal complaint, Adnan was determined to travel to Syria to join ISIS. He discussed these plans with his brother Mohamed, and conspired to obtain fake passports and travel to Syria.Laura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “Feds charge six Minnesotans with trying to join ISIS,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/6-charged-with-trying-to-join-isis.

Adnan expressed his admiration for extremist activities on his Facebook page, where he posted a photo of Anwar al-Awlaki, a Yemeni-American cleric and al-Qaeda propagandist who was killed in a drone strike in 2011.Scott Shane, “6 Minnesotans Held in Plot to Join ISIS,” New York Times, April 20, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/us/6-somali-americans-arrested-in-isis-recruiting-case.html?_r=0. Adnan posted photos of the black flag emblazoned in Arabic that is regularly connected to jihadists, as well as a photo of a man holding a sniper rifle and a banner that read, “Among the believers are men who have been true to the covenant with Allah.”Laura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “Feds charge six Minnesotans with trying to join ISIS,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/6-charged-with-trying-to-join-isis.

After being evaluated by German terrorism expert Daniel Koehler while in custody, Farah was determined in September of 2016 to pose a medium to high risk of re-offending.Esme Murphy, “German Expert: U.S. Way Behind In Terrorism De-Radicalization,” CBS Minnesota, September 21, 2016, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/09/21/deradicalization-expert/. Koehler recommended that Farah receive a reduced sentence and counseling.Esme Murphy, “German Expert: U.S. Way Behind In Terrorism De-Radicalization,” CBS Minnesota, September 21, 2016, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/09/21/deradicalization-expert/.

On November 15, 2016, U.S. District Judge Michael Davis sentenced Farah to 10 years in prison and 20 years of supervised release. Farah expressed his thanks to the authorities who arrested him, saying, “If it wasn’t for them, maybe I wouldn’t be here today.” Farah also told the court that ISIS’s ideology leads to an “identity crisis,” and warned that “there’s kids [sic] going through this now.”Laura Yuen, “Third ISIS sentence of the day: 10 years,” MPR News, November 15, 2016, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/15/day-2-of-isis-trial.

American-born Abdullah Yusuf is a convicted would-be foreign fighter for ISIS. He is the child of immigrants from SomaliaPeter Sullivan, Two Minnesota men charged with aiding ISIS,” Hill, November 25, 2014, http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/225305-two-minnesota-men-charged-with-aiding-isis. and grew up in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.Peter Sullivan, Two Minnesota men charged with aiding ISIS,” Hill, November 25, 2014, http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/225305-two-minnesota-men-charged-with-aiding-isis. On May 28, 2014, Yusuf reportedly sought to travel from Minnesota to Turkey but was intercepted at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport by the FBI.Ed Payne, “More Americans volunteering to help ISIS,” CNN, March 5, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/us/isis-us-arrests/.

In November of 2014, Yusuf pled guilty at a Minneapolis federal court to one count of conspiracy to provide material assistance to ISIS.“Two Minnesotans Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” FBI: Minneapolis Division, November 24, 2014, https://www.fbi.gov/minneapolis/press-releases/2014/two-minnesotans-charged-with-conspiracy-to-provide-material-support-to-the-islamic-state-of-iraq-and-the-levant.

Yusuf was sentenced by a judge to a halfway house, where he followed a strict regimen aimed at reintegrating him into American society. Although 40-odd de-radicalization programs exist worldwide, this experiment was hailed as the inaugural test case in the United States for “turning” a young person under prosecution away from extremist Islamist ideology.Miriam Jordan and Tamara Audi, “A Test Case for ‘Deradicalization,’” Wall Street Journal, November 6, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-test-case-for-deradicalization-1430944585?alg=y.

As part of the program, Yusuf was introduced to the texts of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcom X, and the U.S. Constitution, and participated in courses promoting civic involvement through a nonprofit organization called Heartland Democracy, whose curriculum has been dubbed “Empowering U.”“Minnesota Terror Suspect To Be Released To Halfway House,” CBS Minnesota, January 27, 2015, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/01/27/minnesota-terror-suspect-to-be-released-to-halfway-house/. As part of the curriculum, Yusuf also discussed philosophy with a counselor, fellow Somali-American Ahmed Amin.Miriam Jordan and Tamara Audi, “A Test Case for ‘Deradicalization,’” Wall Street Journal, November 6, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-test-case-for-deradicalization-1430944585?alg=y. The experiment was cut short, however, after a box cutter was found under Yusuf’s bed. Yusuf was ordered back to jail in April 2015.Miriam Jordan and Tamara Audi, “A Test Case for ‘Deradicalization,’” Wall Street Journal, November 6, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-test-case-for-deradicalization-1430944585?alg=y; Esme Murphy, “Terror Suspect Released To Halfway House Kept Box Cutter Under Bed,” CBS Minnesota, July 6, 2015, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/07/06/terror-suspect-released-to-halfway-house-kept-box-cutter-under-bed/.

On November 14, 2016, Yusuf—who had spent 21 months in custody and cooperated with authorities—was sentenced to time served with 20 years of supervised release. Yusuf will reportedly be placed in a halfway house, where he will live for up to one year with electronic monitoring.Associated Press, “Cooperation Results in Light Sentences in Islamic State Case,” New York Times, November 14, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/11/14/us/ap-us-islamic-state-americans-minnesota.html?_r=1; “No additional prison time for Minnesota ISIS recruit Abdullahi Yusuf,” Fox 9 News, November 14, 2016, http://www.fox9.com/news/217391737-story. Yusuf apologized to the court, saying that he no longer believed in ISIS’s ideology, and that he was “alive today…because I was stopped at the airport.”“No additional prison time for Minnesota ISIS recruit Abdullahi Yusuf,” Fox 9 News, November 14, 2016, http://www.fox9.com/news/217391737-story.

Raphael Hostey, known also by the alias Abu Qaqa al-Britani, was a British propagandist, recruiter, and facilitator for ISIS who boasted of smuggling “hundreds” of people into Syria to join the terrorist group.Neil Doyle, “EXCLUSIVE: Senior British ISIS recruiter 'is a sex pest who steals girls from fellow fighters and only helps the prettiest would-be jihadi brides who contact him on Skype to go to Syria,” Daily Mail (London), June 23, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3134678/Senior-British-jihadi-recruiter-sex-pest-forces-ISIS-brides-veil-Skype-choose-prettiest-ones-steals-girls-fellow-fighters.html. Hostey was reportedly killed in Syria in the last week of April 2016. His death, as of yet unconfirmed by the Foreign Office of the United Kingdom, was confirmed by witnesses in Syria.Josie Ensor, “British jihadi recruiter reported dead in Syria drone strike,” Telegraph (London), May 2, 2016, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/02/british-jihadi-reported-to-have-been-killed-in-syria/. Hostey used a number of social media platforms—including Twitter, Tumblr, Ask.fm and Askbook—to promote and recruit for ISIS.

Prior to Hostey’s alleged death, he was reportedly part of a five-strong online recruiting team for ISIS.Neil Doyle, “EXCLUSIVE: Senior British ISIS recruiter 'is a sex pest who steals girls from fellow fighters and only helps the prettiest would-be jihadi brides who contact him on Skype to go to Syria,” Daily Mail (London), June 23, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3134678/Senior-British-jihadi-recruiter-sex-pest-forces-ISIS-brides-veil-Skype-choose-prettiest-ones-steals-girls-fellow-fighters.html. On Hostey’s Twitter account, he would often refer to himself as a co-worker of Australian operative Neil Prakash—known in ISIS circles as Abu Khaled al-Cambodi—by linking to Prakash’s social media and messaging accounts. According to leaked ISIS documents detailing information on ISIS fighters, Hostey was listed as the “sponsor” for multiple ISIS recruits, responsible for vouching on behalf of a potential ISIS recruit.Samuel Osborne, “Isis documents leak: 64 people with British connections named,” Independent (London), March 14, 2016, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-documents-leak-64-people-with-british-connections-named-a6930171.html. Among the supposed hundreds that Hostey has recruited are some standout cases. One is Jamal al-Harith, a former Guantanamo detainee who carried out a suicide bomb attack in Mosul on February 19, 2017.Robert Mendick, Patrick Foster, Christopher Hope and Josie Ensor, “Guantanamo Bay detainee Jamal Al-Harith’s links to Isil recruiter raise fears that taxpayers funded Manchester terror cell,” Telegraph (London), February 23, 2017, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/23/guantanamo-bay-detainee-jamal-al-hariths-links-isil-recruiter/. Harith had been detained in Guantanamo Bay from 2002 to 2004 after being captured by U.S. forces alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan. Upon his repatriation to the United Kingdom, Harith claimed $1.2 million in compensation from the British government after arguing that the government knew or was complicit in mistreatment he had experienced at Guantanamo.Robert Mendick, Patrick Foster, Christopher Hope and Josie Ensor, “Guantanamo Bay detainee Jamal Al-Harith’s links to Isil recruiter raise fears that taxpayers funded Manchester terror cell,” Telegraph (London.), February 23, 2017, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/23/guantanamo-bay-detainee-jamal-al-hariths-links-isil-recruiter/. According to Harith’s wife—who confirmed Harith’s connection to Hostey—Harith had used what remained of his government dividend to travel to Syria and fund his extremist activities.Robert Mendick, Patrick Foster, Christopher Hope and Josie Ensor, “Guantanamo Bay detainee Jamal Al-Harith’s links to Isil recruiter raise fears that taxpayers funded Manchester terror cell,” Telegraph (London), February 23, 2017, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/23/guantanamo-bay-detainee-jamal-al-hariths-links-isil-recruiter/.

Hostey also reportedly recruited the so-called “terror twins,” Salma and Zahra Halane, who traveled to Syria at age 16 in June 2014 to marry ISIS fighters.Nazia Parveen, “Small part of Manchester that has been home to 16 jihadis,” Guardian, February 25, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/feb/25/small-part-of-manchester-that-has-been-home-to-16-jihadis. Hostey is also reportedly tied to the May 2017 Manchester Arena bomber, Salman Abedi. Both Hostey and Abedi were originally from Manchester, England, and Abedi is said to have been a friend of Hostey.Martin Evans, Victoria Ward, Robert Mendick, Ben Farmer, Hayley Dixon and Danny Boyle, “Everything we know about Salman Abedi, the Manchester suicide bomber,” Telegraph (London), May 25, 2017, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/24/everything-know-salman-abedi-named-manchester-suicide-bomber/. Furthermore, Abedi is said to have lived within walking distance of where the Halane twins went to school before being recruited by Hostey.David Brown, Fiona Hamilton, Georgie Keate, John Simpson, and Duncan Gardham, “Salman Abedi was just a regular kid who liked cricket then it all changed,” Times (London), May 24, 2017, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/just-a-regular-kid-who-liked-cricket-then-it-all-changed-d0khjtpd6. According to reports, Hostey also recruited at least one ISIS member from the United States. On January 9, 2015, 19-year-old Mohammed Hamzah Khan of Chicago was indicted on charges of attempting to provide support to ISIS after being recruited by Hostey.imothy Williams, “Chicago Man Is Indicted on Charge of Trying to Aid ISIS,” New York Times, January 9, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/10/us/chicago-man-is-indicted-on-charge-of-trying-to-aid-isis.html;
Adam Goldman and Eric Schmitt, “One by One, ISIS Social Media Experts Are Killed as Result of F.B.I. Program,” New York Times, November 24, 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/24/world/middleeast/isis-recruiters-social-media.html.

Hostey attempted to recruit for ISIS using a variety of approaches, including by providing theological justifications for ISIS activity,Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Twitter, accessed June 29, 2015, https://twitter.com/an_Najdee rapping,Nazia Parveen, “Unmasked, jihadi chief who's a British rapper with an afro: Student revealed as 'senior commander' responsible for recruiting fellow Brits for ISIS,” Daily Mail (London), March 26, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2997904/Unmasked-jihadi-chief-s-British-rapper-afro-Student-named-senior-commander-responsible-recruiting-fellow-countrymen.html#ixzz3eSUyfmGX. appealing to video gamers,Tom Underhill and John Hall, “The rapping jihadist: 'Bad boy Abu Afro' claims he is an Isis poet with Twitter lyrics including 'Call of Duty, Drop the Fifa, and come give beyah to the Khalifah',” Mail Online, November 27, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2851938/The-rapping-jihadist-Bad-boy-Abu-Afro-claims-Isis-poet. addressing practical concerns about migration to ISIS territory,Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 25, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59677989;
Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 12, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59411883;
Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 12, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59411369. engaging in debates with supporters of ISIS’s former ally, the Nusra Front,Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Twitter post, June 6, 2015, 9:29 a.m., https://twitter.com/an_Najdee/status/607177421259997184. and even by appearing to flirt with potential female recruits to ISIS.Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 10, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59377295. In addition to recruiting ISIS members to perform hijrah (migration to ISIS-held territory), Hostey incited to violence through his social media accounts. On August 16, 2015, Hostey posted an image of Australian national security editor Paul Maley and asked whether anyone knew where Maley lived in Australia, saying that “[w]e’d like to pay him a friendly visit.”Qaqa al-Baritani, Twitter post, August 16, 2015, 12:52 a.m., https://twitter.com/Khattab10794099/status/632822343853846528. CEP flagged the account to Twitter, but the tweet in question remained active for over 24 hours. Through the two Twitter accounts, Hostey encouraged potential recruits to contact him privately on KikAbu Qaqa Britan Afro, Twitter, accessed July 8, 2015, https://twitter.com/QaqaAfro1. and Surespot,Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Twitter post, June 8, 2015, 1:11 p.m., https://twitter.com/an_Najdee/status/607958082556174336. two encrypted chat messenger services. He also used Twitter to promote his public Askbook account, where potential recruits could post anonymous questions and learn more about him.Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Twitter post, June 9, 2015, 7:44 a.m., https://twitter.com/an_Najdee/status/608238355294351361.

In February 2015, British schoolgirls Shamima Begum, Amira Abase, and Khadiza Sultana traveled from their homes in the United Kingdom to Turkey and then onto Syria to become ISIS brides. In Turkey, the girls were allegedly aided by a smuggler named Mohammed Al Rasheed. Hostey had previously charged Rasheed with transporting equipment and people into ISIS-held territory. Rasheed was also allegedly working as an informant for Canadian intelligence. According to the BBC, Rasheed had smuggled multiple Britons into Syria for at least eight months while sharing their passport information with Canadian authorities through the Canadian embassy in Jordan in exchange for asylum. Rasheed often photographed identification papers or filmed travelers on his phone. He reportedly mapped the locations of the homes of Western foreign fighters in Syria. He also collected IP addresses and the locations of Internet cafes in ISIS-held territory.Josh Baker, “Shamima Begum: Spy for Canada smuggled schoolgirl to Syria,” BBC News, August 31, 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62726954.

On various platforms, “Abu Qaqa” has posted tweets that glorify acts of violence including, “We’re waiting in Raqqah to behead the PKK. We can smell their blood already. #IS ;)”Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Twitter post, June 23, 2015, 7:48 p.m., https://twitter.com/an_Najdee/status/613493982857924608. and “Do you realise the reward you get for beheading murtaddūn [apostates]?”Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Twitter post, June 24, 2015, 5:58 p.m., https://twitter.com/an_Najdee/status/613828493445591045.

When Islamists killed 12 in the January 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks, CEP tracked Hostey’s account as he cheered on the attackers from his @Abu_Butayn account.CEP, “ISIS Supporters & Other Extremists Respond to Paris Terror Attack,” Storify, January 2015, https://storify.com/CEP/isis-supporters-respond-to-paris-terror-attack.

These violent ambitions were also depicted in rhyme through Hostey’s Abu Qaqa rapper account:

Hostey’s activity on his Twitter accounts appears to have been designed to cast a wide net to attract recruits and sympathizers. Hostey was above all a self-proclaimed facilitator who worked to bring foreign fighter to ISIS-held territory.Neil Doyle, “EXCLUSIVE: Senior British ISIS recruiter 'is a sex pest who steals girls from fellow fighters and only helps the prettiest would-be jihadi brides who contact him on Skype to go to Syria,” Daily Mail (London), June 23, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3134678/Senior-British-jihadi-recruiter-sex-pest-forces-ISIS-brides-veil-Skype-choose-prettiest-ones-steals-girls-fellow-fighters.html. On Askbook, Hostey would answer questions regarding his theological and political worldview, as well as the migration process to ISIS-held territory.Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 9, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59355280. As on Twitter, Hostey propagandized for the group and directed viewers to his private messaging accounts, including Surespot and Telegram.Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 27, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59713823;
Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 10, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59391512.

On Askbook, Hostey was often addressed by potential recruits interested in marriage.Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 10, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59377295;
Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 10, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59377497;
Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 12, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59411369;
Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 12, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59411883. At least once, Hostey appeared to flirt with an apparent recruit. In response to a post asking, “If I approach you for marriage will you take me seriously or judge a sister for approaching a brother…” Hostey alluded that he was receptive, replying, “Khadījah proposed to the Prophet (ص).”Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Askbook, June 10, 2015, http://ask-book.com/Butayn/answer/59377295.

In that vein, Hostey was allegedly accused by ISIS of stealing girls from fellow fighters and forcing female recruits to remove their veils so he could choose the prettiest ones. He was also accused of abandoning his wife and child in the United Kingdom when he came to ISIS-held territory. According to reports, Hostey had left behind his family, departing for Syria to join ISIS with two fellow students from Liverpool John Moore University after becoming radicalized by ISIS videos online. Hostey’s acquaintances, Mohammad Azzam Javeed and Anil Khalil Raoufi, were reportedly killed in 2014.Neil Doyle, “EXCLUSIVE: Senior British ISIS recruiter 'is a sex pest who steals girls from fellow fighters and only helps the prettiest would-be jihadi brides who contact him on Skype to go to Syria,” Daily Mail (London), June 23, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3134678/Senior-British-jihadi-recruiter-sex-pest-forces-ISIS-brides-veil-Skype-choose-prettiest-ones-steals-girls-fellow-fighters.html.

According to the Daily Mail, Hostey faced a punishment of flogging by ISIS officials for leaving behind his family. On one of his Twitter accounts, Hostey dismissed the Daily Mail article as inaccurate.Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Twitter post, June 23, 2015, 7:10 p.m., https://twitter.com/an_Najdee/status/613484313351462912. He also appeared grateful to his friend, Neil Prakash, a.k.a., Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, for tweeting in defense of his character.Qa’qa’ al-Baritani, Twitter post, June 23, 2015, 7:10 p.m., https://twitter.com/an_Najdee/status/613484313351462912.>

In April of 2016, Hostey was reportedly killed by a U.S. drone strike near Mosul, Iraq.W.J. Hennigan, “U.S. military says it has killed more than 120 Islamic State leaders,” Los Angeles Times, June 11, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-isis-airstrikes-20160607-snap-story.html. His death was confirmed by Syrian rebel fighters on May 1, 2016, according to Amarnath Amarasingam, a post-doctoral researcher in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Josie Ensor, “British jihadi recruiter reported dead in Syria drone strike,” Telegraph (London), May 2, 2016, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/02/british-jihadi-reported-to-have-been-killed-in-syria. The drone strike that reportedly killed Hostey also killed three other Western foreign fighters who remain unidentified.Josie Ensor, “British jihadi recruiter reported dead in Syria drone strike,” Telegraph (London), May 2, 2016, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/02/british-jihadi-reported-to-have-been-killed-in-syria.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the U.S. Air Force had observed Hostey for days with infrared cameras and other drone-mounted sensors before receiving the kill order.W.J. Hennigan, “U.S. military says it has killed more than 120 Islamic State leaders,” Los Angeles Times, June 11, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-isis-airstrikes-20160607-snap-story.html. The United States had reportedly located Hostey after being given intelligence from the Turkish government.W.J. Hennigan, “U.S. military says it has killed more than 120 Islamic State leaders,” Los Angeles Times, June 11, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-isis-airstrikes-20160607-snap-story.html.

Hanad Mustafe Musse is an American citizen of Somali origin and convicted would-be member of ISIS.Scott Shane, “6 Minnesotans Held in Plot to Join ISIS,” New York Times, April 20, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/us/6-somali-americans-arrested-in-isis-recruiting-case.html?_r=0. On April 19, 2015, Musse was arrested in Minneapolis and charged with conspiring to travel to join ISIS. He was taken into custody with Mohamed Abdihamid Farah, Adnan Farah, Abdurahman Yasin Daud, Zacharia Yusuf Abdurahman, and Guled Ali Omar, all Somali-Americans living in Minnesota.Laura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “Feds charge six Minnesotans with trying to join ISIS,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/6-charged-with-trying-to-join-isis.

Also charged in the case were Hamza Naj Ahmed, Abdullahi Yusuf, and Abdirizak Warsame, the last of whom is believed to have acted as the group’s ringleader. One of the defendants’ associates, Abdiwali Nur, is believed to have successfully joined ISIS in Syria in May 2014.“United States of America v. Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame,” U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, December 9, 2015, 8, http://kstp.com/kstpImages/repository/cs/files/WarsameComplaint.pdf.

Between November 6 and November 8, 2014, Musse attempted to take a bus from Minnesota to New York City, where he planned to leave from John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport and travel to Greece and then Syria.“Six Minnesota Men Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” April 20, 2015, United State Department of Justice, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/six-minnesota-men-charged-conspiracy-provide-material-support-islamic-state-iraq-and-levant. He was stopped at JFK airport by federal agents. When interviewed, Musse told the agents that he was traveling to Greece to “chill,” and that he didn’t know anyone there, according to a report by Minnesota Public Radio.“Six Minnesota Men Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” April 20, 2015, United State Department of Justice, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/six-minnesota-men-charged-conspiracy-provide-material-support-islamic-state-iraq-and-levant.

In February 2015, recorded phone conversations revealed Musse and his co-conspirators discussing further plans to leave the United States and join ISIS, this time possibly via Mexico. Musse was in the process of obtaining a fake passport when his father confronted him, forcing Musse to halt his travel plans.Laura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “Feds charge six Minnesotans with trying to join ISIS,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/6-charged-with-trying-to-join-isis.

Following his April 2015 arrest, Musse faced terrorism charges as well as charges of financial fraud for allegedly using his college financial aid money to purchase the airline tickets to Greece.Paul McEnroe, “Fraud charges added to ISIL terrorism case against 2 Twin Cities men,” Star Tribune, May 19, 2015, http://www.startribune.com/fraud-charges-added-to-terrorism-case-against-2-twin-cities-men/304258871/. On September 9, 2015, Musse pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Two other charges were dropped as part of his plea deal.“Minnesota man accused of plotting to join ISIS pleads guilty,” CBS News, September 9, 2015, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/minnesota-man-accused-of-plotting-to-join-isis-pleads-guilty/. In March 2016, Minnesotan U.S. District Judge Michael Davis ordered that Musse—alongside Abdurahman, Warsame, and Yusuf—be evaluated for a de-radicalization program.Stephen Montemayor and Mila Koumpilova, “Terror suspects will test deradicalization program,” Star Tribune, March 2, 2016, http://www.startribune.com/judge-orders-de-radicalization-study-for-4-terror-defendants/370806141/. German terrorism expert Daniel Koehler determined that Musse was at a high risk for reoffending.Esme Murphy, “German Expert: U.S. Way Behind In Terrorism De-Radicalization,” CBS Minnesota, September 21, 2016, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/09/21/deradicalization-expert/.

On November 15, 2016, Musse was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Judge Michael Davis. When asked directly if he was a terrorist, Musse responded, “I am a terrorist, your honor.”Associated Press, “Minnesota Man Tells Judge, ‘I am a Terrorist,’ Gets 10 Years,” New York Times, November 15, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/11/15/us/ap-us-islamic-state-americans-minnesota.html?_r=1.

American-born Mohammed Hamzah Khan is a convicted would-be foreign fighter for ISIS. Khan was arrested in October 2014 at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport when members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force intercepted him and his siblings seeking to fly to Istanbul.Kevin Sullivan, “Three American teens, recruited online, are caught trying to join Islamic State,” Washington Post, December 8, 2014, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/three-american-teens-recruited-online-are-caught-trying-to-join-the-islamic-state/2014/12/08/8022e6c4-7afb-11e4-84d4-7c896b90abdc_story.html. Khan and his siblings—minors whose names have not been released by authorities—intended to enter Turkey and cross the border into Syria to join ISIS.“Federal Grand Jury Indicts Mohammed Hamzah Khan for Allegedly Attempting to Support Terrorism Overseas,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, January 9, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-grand-jury-indicts-mohammed-hamzah-khan-allegedly-attempting-support-terrorism. Khan pled guilty in October 2015 to one count of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization.Jason Meisner, “Bolingbrook man pleads guilty to terrorism charge,” Chicago Tribune, October 29, 2015, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-terror-case-bolingbrook-man-plea-20151029-story.html. In November 2016, he was sentenced to 40 months in prison with 20 years of “intensive” supervised release, according to the Department of Justice.“Illinois Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 18, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/illinois-man-sentenced-40-months-federal-prison-attempting-provide-material-support-isil.

According to U.S. authorities, Khan communicated with ISIS operatives over the internet in order to assist him with traveling to Syria.“Illinois Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 18, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/illinois-man-sentenced-40-months-federal-prison-attempting-provide-material-support-isil. Following Khan’s October 2014 arrest, the FBI gathered letters, notebooks, and diaries from the Kahn family residence where he had lived.Jethro Mullen and Ted Rowlands, “Who is Mohammed Hamzah Khan,” CNN, October 7, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/us/who-is-mohammed-hamzah-khan/. Some of the evidence contained text promoting ISIS and criticizing the West, primarily the United States and its “national defense.”“Letter prosecutors say Mohammed Hamzah Khan wrote to his parents,” Chicago Tribune, November 3, 2014, http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-letter-prosecutors-say-mohammed-hamzah-khan-wrote-to-his-parents-20141103-htmlstory.html. In a letter Khan left for his parents before his attempted to fly to Turkey, he wrote, “Western societies are getting more immoral day by day. I do not want my children to be exposed to this filth.”Michael Walsh and Bill Hutchinson, “Illinois man busted trying to join ISIS left letter behind for parents: FBI,” New York Daily News, October 7, 2014, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/illinois-man-charged-join-isis-overseas-fbi-article-1.1964946.

Khan’s family, friends, and neighbors were reportedly stunned by his actions.Jethro Mullen and Ted Rowlands, “Who is Mohammed Hamzah Khan,” CNN, October 7, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/us/who-is-mohammed-hamzah-khan/. One of the Khan’s neighbors Steve Moore stated, “[Mohammed was] very polite. Seems normal, normal family.”Eric Horng, “Bolingbrook Man Faces Terrorism Charges, Allegedly Tried Join ISIS,” ABC 7 Eyewitness News, October 6, 2014, http://abc7chicago.com/news/bolingbrook-man-arrested-allegedly-tried-to-join-isis/338672/. Khan was studying computer science and engineering at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois and volunteered at his local mosque.Kevin Sullivan, “Three American teens, recruited online, are caught trying to join Islamic State,” Washington Post, December 8, 2014, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/three-american-teens-recruited-online-are-caught-trying-to-join-the-islamic-state/2014/12/08/8022e6c4-7afb-11e4-84d4-7c896b90abdc_story.html.> A fellow mosque member, Bahauddin Ali Khan, told reporters, “[Mohammed’s] the last person that you’d think that would happen to.”Eric Horng, “Bolingbrook Man Faces Terrorism Charges, Allegedly Tried Join ISIS,” ABC 7 Eyewitness News, October 6, 2014, http://abc7chicago.com/news/bolingbrook-man-arrested-allegedly-tried-to-join-isis/338672/.

While Khan’s parents admitted to raising their children in a protective environment, they told the Washington Post in December 2014 that their children behaved “like any other normal American family.”Kevin Sullivan, “Three American teens, recruited online, are caught trying to join Islamic State,” Washington Post, December 8, 2014, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/three-american-teens-recruited-online-are-caught-trying-to-join-the-islamic-state/2014/12/08/8022e6c4-7afb-11e4-84d4-7c896b90abdc_story.html. Khan’s mother, Zarine Khan, has claimed that her children are victims of extremist propaganda, and has condemned what she called extremist groups’ “recruiting” and “brainwashing” tactics.“Mom to Terrorist Groups: Leave Our Children Alone,” NBC Chicago, January 13, 2015, http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Mohammed-Hamzah-Khan-288401591.html.

As part of Khan’s supervised release, the Department of Justice will demand that Khan participate in a mental health treatment program, attend “violent extremism counseling,” and comply with a computer monitoring program, among other requirements.“Illinois Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 18, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/illinois-man-sentenced-40-months-federal-prison-attempting-provide-material-support-isil.

According to court documents, New York-based Mufid Elfgeeh sought to facilitate the travel of jihadists to join ISIS in Syria. He also purchased firearms and a silencer, allegedly with the intent to carry out violent attacks against U.S. military servicemen.“Rochester Man Indicted on Charges of Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS, Attempting to Kill U.S. Soldiers, and Possession of Firearms and Silencers,” FBI, September 16, 2014, https://www.fbi.gov/buffalo/press-releases/2014/rochester-man-indicted-on-charges-of-attempting-to-provide-material-support-to-isis-attempting-to-kill-u.s.-soldiers-and-possession-of-firearms-and-silencers. He lived in Rochester, New York, while planning these activities.“Rochester, N.Y., man charged with trying to help Islamic State,” Reuters, September 17, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/17/us-usa-crime-islamicstate-idUSKBN0HC01320140917.

Elfgeeh was arrested in late March 2014. He has since been charged on seven counts, including three counts of attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS. The seven charges against Elfgeeh also include one count of attempting to murder U.S. military servicemen, one count of possessing firearms with a silencer to further a violent crime, and two counts of possessing illegal firearm silencers.“Rochester Man Indicted on Charges of Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS, Attempting to Kill U.S. Soldiers, and Possession of Firearms and Silencers,” FBI, September 16, 2014, https://www.fbi.gov/buffalo/press-releases/2014/rochester-man-indicted-on-charges-of-attempting-to-provide-material-support-to-isis-attempting-to-kill-u.s.-soldiers-and-possession-of-firearms-and-silencers.

Elfgeeh is a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Yemen. He owned a pizza shop in Rochester, New York.Gary Craig, “Rochester terrorist Mufid Elfgeeh guilty of recruiting for ISIS,” Democrat & Chronicle, December 17, 2016, http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2015/12/17/alleged-terrorist-scheduled-plea-mufid-elfgeeh/77471906/.

Elfgeeh pled guilty to “attempting to provide material support” to ISIS through the recruitment of a local man and a man from Yemen in December 2015. He agreed to a 22 ½-year sentence as part of a plea agreement. Gary Craig, “Rochester terrorist Mufid Elfgeeh guilty of recruiting for ISIS,” Democrat & Chronicle, December 17, 2016, http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2015/12/17/alleged-terrorist-scheduled-plea-mufid-elfgeeh/77471906/. Elfgeeh received the sentence on March 17, 2016. It is the harshest sentence to date for somebody convicted of providing material support to ISIS.Gary Craig, “Local terrorist Mufid Elfgeeh gets 22 years,” Democrat & Chronicle, March 17, 2016, http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2016/03/17/mufid-elfgeeh-sentenced-isis-isil-islamic-state-recruiting-rochester/81901794/.

Abdiwali Nur, a former resident of Minnesota, is believed have died while fighting for ISIS in Syria. Nur is believed to have traveled from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, to Syria via Turke in May of 2014.Ed Payne, “More Americans volunteering to help ISIS,” CNN, March 5, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/us/isis-us-arrests/.

According to the criminal complaint and documents filed in court, while in Syria Nur sent messages via Facebook to contacts in the United States claiming that he had gone “to the brothers,” and that “[we] will see each other in the afterlife inshallah.”Peter Sullivan, Two Minnesota men charged with aiding ISIS,” Hill, November 25, 2014, http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/225305-two-minnesota-men-charged-with-aiding-isis.

In November 2014, a Minneapolis federal court charged Nur in absentia with conspiring to aid ISIS.Ed Payne, “More Americans volunteering to help ISIS,” CNN, March 5, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/us/isis-us-arrests/.

A June 2016 trial found Nur’s co-conspirators, Guled Ali Omar, Abdurahman Yasin Daud, and Mohamed Abdihamid Farah guilty. During the trial, an FBI officer alleged that Nur’s relative, Mohamad Roble, had traveled to Syria in October 2014.Aamer Madhani, “3 Minneapolis men found guilty in plot to join ISIL,” USA Today, June 3, 2016, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/06/03/3-minneapolis-men-found-guilty-plot-join-isil/85355076/.

Nur’s travel to Syria is believed to have inspired nine of his Minnesota-based friends—Abdullahi Yusuf, Abdirizak Warsame, Zacharia Yusuf Abdurahim, Adnan Farah, Hanad Mustafe Musse, Hamza Naj Ahmed, Guled Ali Omar, Abdirahman Yasin Daud, Mohamed Abdihamid Farah—to conspire to provide material support to ISIS. Many of them attempted to travel to ISIS-controlled territory to join the terror group.Laura Yuen, “3 of 9 Twin Cities men sentenced in ISIS conspiracy trial,” MPR News, November 14, 2016, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/14/first-day-of-sentencing-isis-trial.

Ahmad Abousamra, also known as Abu Sulayman Ash-Shami, was a Boston-raised jihadist and a key member of ISIS. He reportedly helped to disseminate the terror group’s viral videos and to create its English-language propaganda magazines Dabiq and Rumiyah.Michael Zennie, “The American computer wiz running brutally effective ISIS social media campaign: College-educated son of top Boston doctor is on FBI Most Wanted list,” Daily Mail (London), September 4, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2743737/The-American-computer-wiz-running-ISIS-brutally-effective-social-media-campaign-College-educated-son-Boston-doctor-FBI-Most-Wanted-list.html;
“Among the Believers Are Men,” Rumiyah, April 2017, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/rome-magazine-8.pdf. Abousamra reportedly died in a January 2017 airstrike outside of Raqqa, Syria, according to his eulogy in the April 2017 issue of Rumiyah.“Among the Believers Are Men,” Rumiyah, April 2017, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/rome-magazine-8.pdf. Before his reported death, Abousamra is believed to have lived in Aleppo, Syria, with his wife, extended family, and at least one child.“Wanted Fugitive Ahmad Abousamra Added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists List,” FBI Boston, December 18, 2013, http://www.fbi.gov/boston/press-releases/2013/wanted-fugitive-ahmad-abousamra-added-to-the-fbis-most-wanted-terrorists-list.

Abousamra was born in France in 1981 and raised in an upscale suburb in Boston, Massachusetts.Michael Zennie, “The American computer wiz running brutally effective ISIS social media campaign: College-educated son of top Boston doctor is on FBI Most Wanted list,” Daily Mail (London), September 4, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2743737/The-American-computer-wiz-running-ISIS-brutally-effective-social-media-campaign-College-educated-son-Boston-doctor-FBI-Most-Wanted-list.html. Growing up, Abousamra worshipped at the Islamic Society of Boston in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the same mosque frequented by Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, “Lady al-Qaeda” Aafia Siddiqui, banned Muslim Brotherhood leader Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Abousamra’s co-conspirator Tarek Mehanna, and other convicted supporters of terrorism, including the mosque’s founder, Abdurahman Alamoudi.Paul Sperry, “Boston bombers’ mosque tied to ISIS,” New York Post, September 7, 2014, http://nypost.com/2014/09/07/jihadi-behind-beheading-videos-linked-to-notorious-us-mosque/.

Abousamra attended a Catholic high school in Boston and then Northeastern University, graduating with a degree related to computer science.Michael Zennie, “The American computer wiz running brutally effective ISIS social media campaign: College-educated son of top Boston doctor is on FBI Most Wanted list,” Daily Mail (London), September 4, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2743737/The-American-computer-wiz-running-ISIS-brutally-effective-social-media-campaign-College-educated-son-Boston-doctor-FBI-Most-Wanted-list.html. While in college, Abousamra took multiple trips to Pakistan and Yemen where, according to the FBI, he “allegedly attempted to obtain military training for the purpose of killing American soldiers overseas.”“Wanted Fugitive Ahmad Abousamra Added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists List,” FBI Boston, December 18, 2013, http://www.fbi.gov/boston/press-releases/2013/wanted-fugitive-ahmad-abousamra-added-to-the-fbis-most-wanted-terrorists-list. In April 2002, he briefly traveled to Pakistan to allegedly attend a terrorist training camp.“United States of America v. Tarek Mehanna and Ahmad Abousamra Superseding Indictment,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 5, 2009, 4-5. Nearly two years later, on February 1, 2004, Abousamra and co-conspirator Tarek Mehanna left the United States for an al-Qaeda training camp in Yemen. After two weeks at the Yemeni camp, Abousamra traveled to Iraq to fight with al-Qaeda in Iraq. He returned to the United States approximately six months later in August 2004. Michele McPhee and Brian Ross, “Official: American May Be Key in ISIS Social Media Blitz,” ABC News, September 3, 2014, http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/09/official-american-may-be-key-in-isis-social-media-blitz/;
Paul Cruickshank, “ISIS lifts veil on American at heart of its propaganda machine,” CNN, April 7, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/06/middleeast/isis-american-propaganda-editor/;
“United States of America v. Tarek Mehanna and Ahmad Abousamra Superseding Indictment,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 5, 2009, 4-5.

In December 2006, agents from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force questioned Abousamra, but did not charge him after he provided false information about the purpose of his 2004 trip to Yemen. Abousamra told the FBI that he had gone to Yemen to look at Arabic schools but did not like them and returned after a week. Abousamra traveled to Syria soon after the December 2006 FBI interview.Michele McPhee and Brian Ross, “Official: American May Be Key in ISIS Social Media Blitz,” ABC News, September 3, 2014, http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/09/official-american-may-be-key-in-isis-social-media-blitz/;
Michael Zennie, “The American computer wiz running brutally effective ISIS social media campaign: College-educated son of top Boston doctor is on FBI Most Wanted list,” Daily Mail (London), September 4, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2743737/The-American-computer-wiz-running-ISIS-brutally-effective-social-media-campaign-College-educated-son-Boston-doctor-FBI-Most-Wanted-list.html;
“United States of America v. Tarek Mehanna and Ahmad Abousamra Superseding Indictment,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 5, 2009, 26.

In 2009, a U.S. district court indicted Abousamra on nine terrorism-related charges and issued a federal warrant for his arrest. “Wanted Fugitive Ahmad Abousamra Added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists List,” FBI Boston, December 18, 2013, http://www.fbi.gov/boston/press-releases/2013/wanted-fugitive-ahmad-abousamra-added-to-the-fbis-most-wanted-terrorists-list. In 2013, the FBI added Abousamra to its list of Most Wanted Terrorists and offered a $50,000 reward for his capture.“Wanted Fugitive Ahmad Abousamra Added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists List,” FBI Boston, December 18, 2013, http://www.fbi.gov/boston/press-releases/2013/wanted-fugitive-ahmad-abousamra-added-to-the-fbis-most-wanted-terrorists-list.

After the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Abousamra joined the fighting alongside the Nusra Front (Jabhat Fateh al-Sham). According to ISIS’s eulogy, Abousamra left the Nusra Front to join ISIS after criticizing Nusra leader Abu Muhammad al-Golani for betraying ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Abousamra initially sought to carry out a suicide attack for ISIS, but was convinced by fellow member Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Furqan to reconsider. Furqan instead introduced Abousamra to ISIS’s media department.“Among the Believers Are Men,” Rumiyah, April 2017, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/rome-magazine-8.pdf.

Utilizing his fluency in both Arabic and English, as well as his technology-related college degree, Abousamra took on a leadership role translating ISIS’s propaganda into English. He helped Furqan organize ISIS’s foreign language team and advised on the creation of the group’s Dabiq and Rumiyah magazines. He became Dabiq’s editor and also guided the terror group in releasing viral videos online.“Among the Believers Are Men,” Rumiyah, April 2017, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/rome-magazine-8.pdf. In June 2015, the Iraqi government referred to Abousamra as “an ISIS filmmaking expert” when erroneously reporting his death in an airstrike in Iraq.“Mass. man accused of aiding ISIS killed in Iraq, reports say,” Boston Globe, June 3, 2015, https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/06/03/mass-man-accused-aiding-isis-killed-iraq-reports-say/MABevJO6Pm4beu1B8M1yHI/story.html.

Soon after ISIS released the first issue of Rumiyah in September 2016, Abousamra’s mentor, Furqan, died in an airstrike in Raqqa. According to ISIS’s April 2017 issue of Rumiyah, Abousamra was so distraught by Furqan’s death that he insisted on becoming a frontline soldier for ISIS. Abousamra then died in January 2017 when a missile struck the house where he was staying near Raqqa. According to Rumiyah, Abousamra left “his image imprinted in the minds of his brothers, sitting at his computer in the darkness of night and the early hours of morning, researching an issue, reviewing a book, or writing an article.”“Among the Believers Are Men,” Rumiyah, April 2017, https://azelin.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/rome-magazine-8.pdf.

Sirajuddin Haqqani is an internationally designated Taliban official who not only served as operational commander of the Haqqani network, but also held the role of deputy emir of the Taliban. After the death of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammed Omar was reported in July 2015, Sirajuddin Haqqani was elevated to the second spot in the Taliban leadership under its new emir, Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour. “Taliban confirms death of Mullah Omar, names new leader,” France 24, July 30, 2015, http://www.france24.com/en/20150730-taliban-confrms-death-omar-names-new-leaderafghanistan- mansour. On September 7, 2021, Haqqani was appointed interior minister of the Taliban government.Matthieu Aikins and Jim Huylebroek, “Taliban Appoint Stalwarts to Top Government Posts,” New York Times, September 7, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/07/world/asia/taliban-women-protest-kabul-afghanistan.html.

Sirajuddin Haqqani’s father, Jalaluddin Haqqani, founded the Haqqani network in the 1970s. The group gained momentum during the anti-Soviet jihad in Afghanistan during the 1980s. Jeffrey A. Dressler, “The Haqqani Network: From Pakistan to Afghanistan,” Institute for the Study of War, October 2010, http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Haqqani_Network_0.pdf; “The Haqqani Nexus and the Evolution of al-Qa’ida,” The Combatting Terrorism Center at West Point, July 14, 2011, https://www.ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/CTC-Haqqani-Report_Rassler-Brown-Final_Web.pdf. The Haqqanis are of the Pashtun Zadran tribe, based predominantly in the Paktia and Khost provinces in eastern Afghanistan. Jeffrey A. Dressler, “The Haqqani Network: From Pakistan to Afghanistan,” Institute for the Study of War, October 2010, http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Haqqani_Network_0.pdf.

Sirajuddin Haqqani is wanted by the U.S. State Department and the FBI “Seeking Information Sirajuddin Haqqani,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, accessed on March 12, 2015, http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorinfo/sirajuddin-haqqani/view. for planning a 2008 attack on a hotel in Kabul that killed six people including American citizen Thor David Hesla. “Wanted: Information That Brings to Justice Sirajuddin Haqqani,” Reward for Justice, U.S. Department of State, accessed March 12, 2015, http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/sirajuddin_haqqani.html. The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Haqqani as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224 on March 11, 2008. Bureau of Counterterrorism, “Individuals and Entities Designated by the State Department Under E.O. 13224,” U.S. Department of State, http://go.usa.gov/3qkES.

On February 20, 2020, the New York Times published an op-ed by Haqqani defending the Taliban’s position in the then-ongoing negotiations with the United States, which led to an agreement between the Taliban and the United States later that month in Doha, Qatar. In his op-ed, Haqqani claimed the Taliban did not choose war and were forced to defend themselves. Haqqani wrote everyone was tired of war and he was convinced the killing must stop. The Times described Haqqani only as “the deputy leader of the Taliban,” without mentioning his suspected involvement in international terrorism or his wanted status by U.S. authorities. The omission drew criticism from government officials, media analysts, and New York Times reporters.Sirajuddin Haqqani, “What We, the Taliban, Want,” New York Times, February 20, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/opinion/taliban-afghanistan-war-haqqani.html; Peter Bergen, “What the New York Times didn’t tell readers about its Taliban op-ed is shocking,” CNN, February 21, 2020, https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/21/opinions/new-york-times-taliban-op-ed-haqqani-bergen/index.html; Katie Shepherd, “New York Times hit for publishing op-ed by Taliban leader linked to ‘ruthless attacks,’” Washington Post, February 21, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/02/21/nyt-taliban-haqqani/. The New York Times’ senior correspondent in Afghanistan, Mujib Mashal, criticized the paper for declared Haqqani “is no Taliban peace-maker as he paints himself” and is “behind some of most ruthless attacks of this war with many civilian lives lost.”Katie Shepherd, “New York Times hit for publishing op-ed by Taliban leader linked to ‘ruthless attacks,’” Washington Post, February 21, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/02/21/nyt-taliban-haqqani/. On Twitter, Andrew Stroehlein, the European media director for Human Rights Watch, questioned why the Times printed Haqqani given his suspected involvement in war crimes.Andrew Stroehlein, Twitter post, February 20, 2020, 6:54 a.m., https://twitter.com/astroehlein/status/1230460599055929344?s=20. Retired four-star Marine General John R. Allen, who commanded American and NATO forces in Afghanistan during the Obama administration, told the Daily Beast the op-ed was an undeserved “strategic communications coup” for the Haqqani network.Lloyd Grove, “NYT Publishes Taliban ‘Terrorist’ Op-Ed, All Hell Breaks Loose,” Daily Beast, February 20, 2020, https://www.thedailybeast.com/nyt-publishes-taliban-terrorist-op-ed-all-hell-breaks-loose.

Under the terms of the February 2020 Doha Agreement, the Taliban agreed to end cooperation with al-Qaeda and not allow Afghanistan to be used as a base for foreign terrorist organizations.“Joint Declaration between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan,” U.S. Department of State, February 29, 2020, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/02.29.20-US-Afghanistan-Joint-Declaration.pdf. A June 2021 report by a U.N. monitoring team stated that the Taliban and al-Qaeda remained closely aligned and showed no indication of breaking ties.“Letter Dated 20 May 2021 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee Established Pursuant to Resolution 1988 (2011) Addressed to the President of the Security Council,” U.N. Security Council, June 1, 2021, https://www.undocs.org/pdf?symbol=en/S/2021/486. The report also claimed Haqqani was also a member of al-Qaeda’s leadership.Thomas Joscelyn, “U.N. Report Cites New Intelligence on Haqqanis’ Close Ties to al Qaeda,” FDD’s Long War Journal, June 7, 2021, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/06/u-n-report-cites-new-intelligence-on-haqqanis-close-ties-to-al-qaeda.php.

On August 6, 2021, the Taliban began an offensive against major Afghan cities with the seizure of Zaranj, capital of Nimruz province.Susannah George and Ezzatullah Mehrdad, “Taliban fighters overrun an Afghan provincial capital for the first time since withdrawal of foreign forces,” Washington Post, August 6, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/06/afghanistan-taliban-nimruz/. By August 13, the Taliban controlled 17 of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals and more than two-thirds of the country.Rahim Faiez, and Joseph Krauss, “Taliban sweep across Afghanistan’s south; take 4 more cities,” Associated Press, August 13, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-taliban-c6c8d4a41c554f36031a8131538d1402. By August 16, the Taliban laid siege to the presidential palace and took complete control of Kabul, after which the Taliban declared the war in Afghanistan had ended.“Taliban declares ‘war is over’ as president and diplomats flee Kabul,” Reuters, August 15, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/talibans-rapid-advance-across-afghanistan-2021-08-10/. A month after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, on September 7, 2021, the Taliban announced the official appointments within their caretaker government. Haqqani was named acting minister of the interior. Haqqani’s role provides him with extensive authority over policing and legal matters, as well as access to international actorsHaqqani remains on the FBI’s most-wanted list and subject to a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture. Nonetheless, since joining the Taliban government he has sought to shift negative international perceptions of the Taliban. He has met with international leaders such as EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan Tomas Niklasson and U.N. Under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. In 2022, after long concealing his face, he allowed himself to be openly photographed and filmed in public.. The government is exclusively male, with many positions filled with veterans from their hardline movement in the early 1990s.Matthieu Aikins and Jim Huylebroek, “Taliban Appoint Stalwarts to Top Government Posts,” New York Times, September 7, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/07/world/asia/taliban-women-protest-kabul-afghanistan.html; Kathy Gannon, “Taliban form all-male Afghan government of old guard members,” Associated Press, September 8, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-pakistan-afghanistan-arrests-islamabad-d50b1b490d27d32eb20cc11b77c12c87.

Haqqani remains on the FBI’s most-wanted list and subject to a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture. Nonetheless, since joining the Taliban government he has sought to shift negative international perceptions of the Taliban. He has met with international leaders such as EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan Tomas Niklasson and U.N. Under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. In 2022, after long concealing his face, he allowed himself to be openly photographed and filmed in public.“Taliban’s Most Wanted Mostly in Plain Sight,” Voice of America, May 18, 2022, https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-s-most-wanted-mostly-in-plain-sight/6579407.html. In a May 2022 interview with CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour, Haqqani proclaimed the Taliban “would like to have good relations with the United States.”“Exclusive: Amanpour speaks with Taliban deputy leader,” CNN, May 16, 2022, https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/05/16/amanpour-sirajuddin-haqqani-interview-part-1-intl-vpx.cnn; Jo Shelley, Masoud Popalzai, Ehsan Popalzai, Ahmet Mengli and Rob Picheta, “Top Taliban leader makes more promises on women’s rights but quips ‘naughty women’ should stay home,” CNN, last updated May 19, 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/18/asia/amanpour-haqqani-taliban-women-interview-intl/index.html. Haqqani said the Taliban don’t currently look at the United States or the international community as enemies. He also lauded expanding education for girls under Taliban rule.“Exclusive: Amanpour speaks with Taliban deputy leader,” CNN, May 16, 2022, https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/05/16/amanpour-sirajuddin-haqqani-interview-part-1-intl-vpx.cnn; Jo Shelley, Masoud Popalzai, Ehsan Popalzai, Ahmet Mengli and Rob Picheta, “Top Taliban leader makes more promises on women’s rights but quips ‘naughty women’ should stay home,” CNN, last updated May 19, 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/18/asia/amanpour-haqqani-taliban-women-interview-intl/index.html. While the United States has refused to deal with the Taliban government, some analysts have deemed the reward meaningless given Haqqani’s increasingly public persona.“Taliban’s Most Wanted Mostly in Plain Sight,” Voice of America, May 18, 2022, https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-s-most-wanted-mostly-in-plain-sight/6579407.html.

On July 31, 2022, a CIA drone strike killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul’s Sherpoor area. According to U.S. President Joe Biden, Zawahiri had been staying in the house that had been targeted. The house reportedly belonged to a top aide to Haqqani.Matthew Lee, Nomaan Merchant, Mike Balsamo, and James Laporta, “Biden: Drone strike on al-Qaida leader delivered ‘justice,’” Associated Press, August 1, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/ayman-al-zawahri-al-qaida-terrorism-biden-36e5f10256c9bc9972b252849eda91f2. Some Afghan media outlets reported Haqqani’s son and son-in-law were also killed in the strike. During a White House briefing, a senior Biden administration official denied reports of any casualties other than Zawahiri. According to that official, the residence was a safe house operated by the Haqqani network and senior Haqqani network figures were aware of Zawahiri’s presence in Kabul. The official said Haqqani network members worked to conceal Zawahiri’s former presence at the house after the strike and moved Zawahiri’s wife, his daughter, and her children to another location.“Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on a U.S. Counterterrorism Operation,” White House, August 1, 2022, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2022/08/01/background-press-call-by-a-senior-administration-official-on-a-u-s-counterterrorism-operation/. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strike as a violation of “international principles.”Idrees Ali, “Al Qaeda leader Zawahiri killed in CIA drone strike in Afghanistan - U.S. officials,” Reuters, August 1, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/cia-carried-out-drone-strike-afghanistan-us-officials-say-2022-08-01/. After Zawahiri’s death, Haqqani’s links to the Zawahiri safehouse renewed criticism of normalization with Haqqani, as well as of the 2020 New York Times op-ed.David Rutz, “Critics recall Taliban leader’s 2020 New York Times op-ed after link established to slain al-Zawahri,” Fox News, August 2, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/media/critics-recall-taliban-leaders-2020-new-york-times-op-ed-link-established.

Jehad Serwan Mostafa is a U.S.-designated militant believed to be the highest-ranking U.S. citizen fighting overseas with al-Shabaab.Kim Bellware, California man now ‘highest-ranking’ American fighting alongside al-Shabab terrorists, FBI says,” Washington Post, December 3, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/12/03/fbi-renews-million-reward-american-explosives-expert-fighting-with-terrorists-overseas/. Mostafa is not only on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List, but the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program has also offered up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest and conviction.“Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” FBI: Most Wanted Terrorists, accessed December 4, 2019, https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/jehad-serwan-mostafa; “Indictment Unsealed Charging Former San Diego Resident Jehad Serwan Mostafa with Providing Material Support to Militant Islamic Terrorist Organization Al-Shabaab,” Department of Justice, December 2, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/indictment-unsealed-charging-former-san-diego-resident-jehad-serwan-mostafa-providing; “Rewards for Justice – Reward Offers for Information on Key Leaders of al-Shabaab Ahmed Diriye, Mahad Karate, and Jehad Mostafa, and the Disruption of its Financial Mechanisms,” U.S. Department of State, November 18, 2022, https://www.state.gov/rewards-for-justice-reward-offers-for-information-on-key-leaders-of-al-shabaab-ahmed-diriye-mahad-karate-and-jehad-mostafa-and-the-disruption-of-its-financial-mechanisms/. According to two different indictments in October 2009 and December 2019, Mostafa is accused of providing material support to al-Shabaab.“Fourteen Charged with Providing Material Support to Somalis-Based Terrorist Organization Al-Shabab,” Department of Justice, August 5, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/fourteen-charged-providing-material-support-somalia-based-terrorist-organization-al-shabaab. The 2019 indictment extended the timeline of the original 2009 indictments to include his alleged terrorist activities, which took place between March 2008 to February 2017, bringing renewed attention to the case.Kim Bellware, California man now ‘highest-ranking’ American fighting alongside al-Shabab terrorists, FBI says,” Washington Post, December 3, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/12/03/fbi-renews-million-reward-american-explosives-expert-fighting-with-terrorists-overseas/.

Mostafa was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin and raised in San Diego, California. He was reportedly involved in and served as president of the now-defunct Muslim Youth Council of San Diego.Elliot Spagart, “US citizen raised in San Diego faces new terrorism charges,” Associated Press, December 2, 2019, https://apnews.com/3fd9c933e17d4db99ed4b7c8ab3663f7. In 2000, Mostafa was issued a license to be a security guard from California’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, though it expired in 2006.Greg Moran, “Former SD man among 14 charged with aiding terror group,” San Diego Union-Tribune, August 5, 2010, https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-san-diegan-among-those-charged-aiding-somalian-ter-2010aug05-htmlstory.html. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2005.Elliot Spagart, “US citizen raised in San Diego faces new terrorism charges,” Associated Press, December 2, 2019, https://apnews.com/3fd9c933e17d4db99ed4b7c8ab3663f7.

Mostafa’s American acquaintances have described him as a “quiet,” “patient,” and “peace keeping Muslim.” They were shocked to learn of his 2009 indictment, with one woman saying, "Oh my God. That's hard to believe. He had no accent. He was a white kid with red hair.”R. Stickney and Paul Krueger, “Accused Terrorist was ‘Kind, Peaceful Man:’ Friends,” NBC San Diego, August 6, 2010, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Accused-Terrorist-Was-Kind-Peaceful-Man-Friends-100139424.html. His father, Kurdish Syrian Halim Mostafa, reportedly made a 2008 film called Mozlym, in an effort to show the “true meaning of Islam often lost amid misconceptions of non-Muslims in America.”Elliot Spagart, “US citizen raised in San Diego faces new terrorism charges,” Associated Press, December 2, 2019, https://apnews.com/3fd9c933e17d4db99ed4b7c8ab3663f7.

Mostafa left San Diego in December 2005 and arrived first in Sanaa, Yemen where he traveled on to Somalia.Greg Moran, “Former SD man among 14 charged with aiding terror group,” San Diego Union-Tribune, August 5, 2010, https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-san-diegan-among-those-charged-aiding-somalian-ter-2010aug05-htmlstory.html; “Indictment Unsealed Charging Former San Diego Resident Jehad Serwan Mostafa with Providing Material Support to Militant Islamic Terrorist Organization Al-Shabaab,” Department of Justice, December 2, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/indictment-unsealed-charging-former-san-diego-resident-jehad-serwan-mostafa-providing. Once there, he reportedly fought against internationally-supported Ethiopian forces and went on to join al-Shabaab in approximately 2006.“Indictment Unsealed Charging Former San Diego Resident Jehad Serwan Mostafa with Providing Material Support to Militant Islamic Terrorist Organization Al-Shabaab,” Department of Justice, December 2, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/indictment-unsealed-charging-former-san-diego-resident-jehad-serwan-mostafa-providing; “Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” FBI: Most Wanted Terrorists, accessed December 4, 2019, https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/jehad-serwan-mostafa. In the ensuing decade, Mostafa held positions with the terrorist group’s explosives unit, media wing, and training camps, according to FBI Special Agent Erin Westfall.Kim Bellware, “California man now ‘highest-ranking’ American fighting alongside al-Shabab terrorists, FBI says,” Washington Post, December 3, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/12/03/fbi-renews-million-reward-american-explosives-expert-fighting-with-terrorists-overseas/. He has also served as a leader of the group’s foreign fighters, according to the FBI.“Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” FBI: Most Wanted Terrorists, accessed December 4, 2019, https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/jehad-serwan-mostafa. Mostafa rose to al-Shabaab’s leadership as early as 2009.“Indictment Unsealed Charging Former San Diego Resident Jehad Serwan Mostafa with Providing Material Support to Militant Islamic Terrorist Organization Al-Shabaab,” Department of Justice, December 2, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/indictment-unsealed-charging-former-san-diego-resident-jehad-serwan-mostafa-providing.

There is evidence that Mostafa played a role in the terrorist group’s external operations. In 2011, he appeared at a press conference in an apparent attempt to facilitate partnerships between al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups. Mostafa has been linked to the use and development of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for terrorist attacks in Somalia. The FBI believes that he continues to play a leading role in planning operations against the government of Somalia, as well as internationally-backed African Union forces operating in the country and East Africa region.“Indictment Unsealed Charging Former San Diego Resident Jehad Serwan Mostafa with Providing Material Support to Militant Islamic Terrorist Organization Al-Shabaab,” Department of Justice, December 2, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/indictment-unsealed-charging-former-san-diego-resident-jehad-serwan-mostafa-providing. Among Mostafa’s many roles in al-Shabaab, he is a leader in the group’s “explosives department” and holds a pivotal role across the media and soldier training wings. He is also reportedly close to the decision-making circle of Amniyat, al-Shabaab’s intelligence wing controlled by al-Shabaab leader Mahad Warsame Qaley.“Wanted by the FBI: Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, December 2, 2019, https://www.fbi.gov/audio-repository/wanted-podcast-jehad-serwan-mostafa-120219.mp3/view.; Hollie McKay, “Who is the FBI’s most wanted American terrorist? Meet Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” Fox News, January 9, 2020, https://www.foxnews.com/world/who-is-the-fbis-most-wanted-american-terrorist-meet-jehad-serwan-mostafa.

Mostafa is on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list, and on March 20, 2013, the U.S. State Department’s Reward for Justice Program offered a reward of up to $5 million dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mostafa.“Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” FBI: Most Wanted Terrorists, accessed February 23, 2015, http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/copy_of_jehad-serwan-mostafa/view; “Indictment Unsealed Charging Former San Diego Resident Jehad Serwan Mostafa with Providing Material Support to Militant Islamic Terrorist Organization Al-Shabaab,” U.S. Department of Justice, December 2, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/indictment-unsealed-charging-former-san-diego-resident-jehad-serwan-mostafa-providing. In February 2009, Mostafa was indicted by a U.S. grand jury and charged with “conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists; conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization; and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization.”“Fourteen Charged with Providing Material Support to Somalia-Based Terrorist Organization Al-Shabab,” Department of Justice, August 5, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/fourteen-charged-providing-material-support-somalia-based-terrorist-organization-al-shabaab. Mostafa faces a 15-year sentence for each indictment.“14 in U.S. accused of supporting Somali terrorist group,” Los Angeles Times, August 5, 2010, http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/05/nation/la-na-somali-terror-20100806.

On December 2, 2019, federal prosecutors announced that they had unsealed an indictment against Mostafa. This superseding indictment extends the timeline of the original October 2009 three-count indictment, alleging that Mostafa continued his terrorist activities between March 2008 and February 2017.“Indictment Unsealed Charging Former San Diego Resident Jehad Serwan Mostafa with Providing Material Support to Militant Islamic Terrorist Organization Al-Shabaab,” Department of Justice, December 2, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/indictment-unsealed-charging-former-san-diego-resident-jehad-serwan-mostafa-providing; Kim Bellware, California man now ‘highest-ranking’ American fighting alongside al-Shabab terrorists, FBI says,” Washington Post, December 3, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/12/03/fbi-renews-million-reward-american-explosives-expert-fighting-with-terrorists-overseas/. The most recent indictment alleges that Mostafa currently plays a critical role in the Somalia-based terrorist group, making him the highest-ranking U.S. citizen fighting for a terrorist group abroad.Tim Stelloh, “San Diego-raised man now leading terrorists in Africa, officials say,” NBC News, December 3, 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/san-diego-raised-man-now-leading-terrorists-africa-officials-say-n1094641.

Mostafa maintains a senior position with the terror group, and on November 18, 2022, the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice Program doubled the reward—from $5 million in March 2013 to $10 million dollars—for information leading to the identification or capture of Mostafa.“Rewards for Justice – Reward Offers for Information on Key Leaders of al-Shabaab Ahmed Diriye, Mahad Karate, and Jehad Mostafa, and the Disruption of its Financial Mechanisms,” U.S. Department of State, November 18, 2022, https://www.state.gov/rewards-for-justice-reward-offers-for-information-on-key-leaders-of-al-shabaab-ahmed-diriye-mahad-karate-and-jehad-mostafa-and-the-disruption-of-its-financial-mechanisms/.