Abdullah Ramo Pazara is a naturalized U.S. citizen of Bosnian origin believed to be currently fighting for ISIS in Syria.Jack Date, Mike Levine, Pierre Thomas, “US Charges 6 Suspects With Aiding Terrorists,” ABC News, February 6, 2015, http://abcnews.go.com/US/suspects-charged-us-aiding-terrorists/story?id=28789888. Pazara left the United States in May 2013 and traveled to Zagreb, Bosnia and Herzegovina before entering Syria to join ISIS.Pete Wiliams, “Feds Charge 6 With Terrorism-Related Crimes Involving Links to ISIS,” NBC News, February 7, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/feds-charge-6-terrorism-related-crimes-involving-links-isis-n301961. In 2014, Pazara facilitated money transfers between individuals in the U.S. and jihadist organizations in Middle East via Western Union and Paypal.Samantha Masunaga, “6 Bosnian immigrants indicted in alleged overseas terror financing ring,” Los Angeles Times, February 8, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-terror-arrest-20150208-story.html. NBC News quoted unnamed “authorities” in stating that Pazara may have been killed in 2014.Pete Wiliams, “Feds Charge 6 With Terrorism-Related Crimes Involving Links to ISIS,” NBC News, February 7, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/feds-charge-6-terrorism-related-crimes-involving-links-isis-n301961.

Pazara’s activities are well-documented in the indictment of six other Bosnian-Americans who were charged with providing material support to terrorists and one count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.Samantha Masunaga, “6 Bosnian immigrants indicted in alleged overseas terror financing ring,” Los Angeles Times, February 8, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-terror-arrest-20150208-story.html. The support provided by the six consisted of sending money to foreign fighters such as Pazara in amounts ranging from $150 to $1,850. The six individuals are: Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, Sedina Unkic Hodzic, Medy Salkicevic, Jasminka Ramic, Armin Harcevic, and Nihad Rosic.Samantha Masunaga, “6 Bosnian immigrants indicted in alleged overseas terror financing ring,” Los Angeles Times, February 8, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-terror-arrest-20150208-story.html. The group communicated via social media, including Facebook.Jason Keyser, “6 Bosnian Immigrants Indicted For Using Facebook, PayPal To Facilitate Extremists In Syria,” Huffington Post, February 7, 2015, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/07/bosnian-six-indictment_n_6637674.html.

Ramiz Hodzic also sent Pazara “U.S. military uniforms, tactical clothes and gear, combat boots, military surplus supplies and other items from businesses in St. Louis” in August 2013 via the U.S. Postal Service. The three boxes of items were first sent to Istanbul, Turkey, and later distributed to foreign fighters including Pazara in Iraq and Syria.Samantha Masunaga, “6 Bosnian immigrants indicted in alleged overseas terror financing ring,” Los Angeles Times, February 8, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-terror-arrest-20150208-story.html.

Illinois native Douglas McCain was a convert to Islam and foreign fighter for ISIS. Syrian rebels reported that McCain was killed fighting for the terror group on the weekend of August 23-24, 2014. He was the best friend of Troy Kastigar, an American who died fighting for al-Shabab in Somalia in 2009.Cassandra Vinograd and Amar Cheikh Omar, “American Douglas McAuthur McCain Dies Fighting for ISIS in Syria,” NBC News, August 27, 2014, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/american-douglas-mcauthur-mccain-dies-fighting-isis-syria-n189081.

Federal law enforcement began monitoring McCain in the early 2000s as part of a larger investigation of potentially radicalized Somalis in Minneapolis. McCain was placed on a travel ban of individuals at risk of leaving the United States to fight abroad.Holly Yan, Sonia Moghe, and Greg Botelho, “Douglas McAuthur McCain: From American kid to jihadi in Syria,” CNN, September 3, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/27/us/who-was-douglas-mccain/.

Between 2000 and 2003, McCain was convicted of multiple crimes, including disorderly conduct and marijuana possession.Holly Yan, Sonia Moghe, and Greg Botelho, “Douglas McAuthur McCain: From American kid to jihadi in Syria,” CNN, September 3, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/27/us/who-was-douglas-mccain/. It is suspected that McCain converted to Islam in 2004 based on a 2014 tweet in which McCain celebrated his conversion 10 years prior. Tweets published by McCain in 2012 were the first indications of his growing religiosity.Terrence McCoy, “How Douglas McAuthur McCain became the first American to die fighting for the Islamic State,” Washington Post, August 27, 2014, http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/08/27/how-douglas-mcarthur-mccain-became-the-first-american-to-die-fighting-for-the-islamic-state/.

A Twitter account allegedly operated by McCain tweeted on June 9, 2014, “I will be joining you guys soon.” He followed up the next day, “I’m with the brothers now.” On June 26 he tweeted, “It takes a warrior to understand a warrior,” and “Pray for ISIS.”Holly Yan, Sonia Moghe, and Greg Botelho, “Douglas McAuthur McCain: From American kid to jihadi in Syria,” CNN, September 3, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/27/us/who-was-douglas-mccain/. At the time of his death, McCain was reportedly carrying $800 dollars and his American passport.Cassandra Vinograd and Amar Cheikh Omar, “American Douglas McAuthur McCain Dies Fighting for ISIS in Syria,” NBC News, August 27, 2014, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/american-douglas-mcauthur-mccain-dies-fighting-isis-syria-n189081.

Kastigar was an American who bore arms on behalf of al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate operating in the horn of Africa, especially Somalia. Kastigar was nicknamed “Abdurahman the American” after arriving in Somalia in November 2008.Michael Daly, “American Jihadis Douglas McCain and Troy Kastigar: From Losers to Martyrs,” Daily Beast, August 28, 2014, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/28/american-jihadis-douglas-mccain-and-troy-kastigar-from-loser-to-martyr.html.

Kastigar grew up outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he attended Robbinsdale Cooper High School in New Hope with his close friend and future ISIS fighter Douglas McCain.Michael Daly, “American Jihadis Douglas McCain and Troy Kastigar: From Losers to Martyrs,” Daily Beast, August 28, 2014, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/28/american-jihadis-douglas-mccain-and-troy-kastigar-from-loser-to-martyr.html. Kastigar was described as an affable young man who would bring food to homeless people. Kastigar was also described by close acquaintances as being “easily persuaded.” The impressionable Kastigar resided in the state with the largest concentration of Somalis in the country and a fertile recruiting ground for al-Shabab.Michael Daly, “American Jihadis Douglas McCain and Troy Kastigar: From Losers to Martyrs,” Daily Beast, August 28, 2014, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/28/american-jihadis-douglas-mccain-and-troy-kastigar-from-loser-to-martyr.html.

Kastigar had a few brushes with the law, and a mug shot shows that he had a tattoo on the right side of his neck that included “MOB” in apparent tribute to a local rap crew called GMOB.Michael Daly, “American Jihadis Douglas McCain and Troy Kastigar: From Losers to Martyrs,” Daily Beast, August 28, 2014, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/28/american-jihadis-douglas-mccain-and-troy-kastigar-from-loser-to-martyr.html. In November 2008, Kastigar informed his mother that he was traveling to Kenya to study the Quran. Instead, Kastigar made his way to Somalia to join al-Shabab.Michael Daly, “American Jihadis Douglas McCain and Troy Kastigar: From Losers to Martyrs,” Daily Beast, August 28, 2014, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/28/american-jihadis-douglas-mccain-and-troy-kastigar-from-loser-to-martyr.html.

Kastigar was killed in 2009. After his death, Kastigar was praised by al-Shabab in a recruitment video as a “Minnesotan martyr.”Michael Daly, “American Jihadis Douglas McCain and Troy Kastigar: From Losers to Martyrs,” Daily Beast, August 28, 2014, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/28/american-jihadis-douglas-mccain-and-troy-kastigar-from-loser-to-martyr.html.

Hoda Muthana left her home in Hoover, Alabama, at the age of 20 to join ISIS in Syria. She has since married three jihadist fighters, been widowed twice, and given birth to a baby boy.Ellie Hall, “Gone Girl: An Interview With An American In ISIS,” BuzzFeed News, April 17, 2015, http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/gone-girl-an-interview-with-an-american-in-isis#.heGXm80KZ. Following the collapse of ISIS’s so-called caliphate, Muthana and her son fled ISIS’s remaining territory and have lived in a Syrian refugee camp since January 2019. Muthana has expressed her desire to return to the United States with her child to face charges, but the U.S. government has declared that she does not have U.S. citizenship and cannot return, leaving her in a legal limbo.Enjoli Francis and James Longman, “Former ISIS bride who left US for Syria says she 'interpreted everything very wrong,’” ABC News, February 19, 2019, https://abcnews.go.com/International/isis-bride-left-us-syria-interpreted-wrong/story?id=61175508; “Statement on Hoda Muthana,” U.S. Department of State, February 20, 2019, https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2019/02/289558.htm; Donald J. Trump, Twitter post, February 20, 2019, 4:05 p.m., https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1098327855145062411.

Muthana’s father, Ahmed Ali, worked as a U.N. diplomat on behalf of Yemen and moved to the United States with his wife in 1992.Natalie Musumeci and Ruth Brown, “ISIS bride’s lawyer says he has proof she’s still US citizen,” New York Post, February 20, 2019, https://nypost.com/2019/02/20/isis-brides-nj-birth-certificate-doesnt-prove-us-citizenship-experts/; Kim Hjelmgaard, “ISIS bride Hoda Muthana's family files lawsuit against Trump,” USA Today, February 22, 2019, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/02/22/hoda-muthana-isis-brides-family-file-lawsuit-against-trump-pompeo/2948575002/. Muthana and her siblings were all born in the United States, while their parents have both become naturalized citizens. Muthana graduated from Alabama’s Hoover High School in May 2013. Her father presented her with her first cellphone as a graduation gift, but he implemented tight restrictions. Women in the family were forbidden from using social media or messaging applications to communicate with non-family members. Muthana’s parents were concerned she was communicating with boys, but when her father regularly searched her phone, he instead discovered Quranic readings and other Islamic religious applications. Muthana told Buzzfeed News that Islamic scholars on the Internet swayed her more than her local Muslim community.Ellie Hall, “Gone Girl: An Interview With An American In ISIS,” BuzzFeed News, April 17, 2015, http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/gone-girl-an-interview-with-an-american-in-isis#.heGXm80KZ.

In the fall of 2013, Muthana secretly created a Twitter account, through which she met ISIS supporters such as Aqsa Mahmood, a Scottish teen who fled to ISIS-held territory in November 2013. The same month Mahmood left, Muthana began planning her own trip.Ellie Hall, “Gone Girl: An Interview With An American In ISIS,” BuzzFeed News, April 17, 2015, http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/gone-girl-an-interview-with-an-american-in-isis#.heGXm80KZ.

In November 2014, Muthana told her parents she was going to Atlanta for the day on a school trip. Her father was in Washington, D.C., at the time. Muthana then told her family she missed her bus home and had to spend the night. The next day, she called her sister from Turkey to say she was joining ISIS. When Muthana spoke with her father the next day, she had already crossed into Syria.Ellie Hall, “Gone Girl: An Interview With An American In ISIS,” BuzzFeed News, April 17, 2015, http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/gone-girl-an-interview-with-an-american-in-isis#.heGXm80KZ.

Muthana funded her trip using her college tuition money. She signed up for classes at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and then immediately withdrew. She used the refunded tuition to buy her plane ticket to Turkey.Ellie Hall, “Gone Girl: An Interview With An American In ISIS,” BuzzFeed News, April 17, 2015, http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/gone-girl-an-interview-with-an-american-in-isis#.heGXm80KZ. In December 2014, Muthana told her father she wanted to come home and asked for $2,500 to get to the Turkish border. He sent the money but she did not return. Muthana later told BuzzFeed News that she never intended to return.Ellie Hall, “Gone Girl: An Interview With An American In ISIS,” BuzzFeed News, April 17, 2015, http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/gone-girl-an-interview-with-an-american-in-isis#.heGXm80KZ.

In early December 2014, Muthana posted a group photo on Twitter of what appears to be four women holding foreign passports and announcing their intention to burn the documents. In March, Muthana called for violence in the United States over Memorial Day.Ellie Hall, “Gone Girl: An Interview With An American In ISIS,” BuzzFeed News, April 17, 2015, http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/gone-girl-an-interview-with-an-american-in-isis#.heGXm80KZ.

In late December 2014, Muthana told her father she had married an ISIS fighter. She told BuzzFeed Media that she did not need the traditional permission of her father because he sided against ISIS. After her husband was killed in a Jordanian airstrike in March 2015, Muthana’s father again tried to convince her to come home. Muthana again refused and said she was willing to die for her beliefs. In a deleted Ask.fm post, Muthana said she looked forward to seeing her mother again in Jannah (heaven), but “Allah and His Messenger come first.”Ellie Hall, “Gone Girl: An Interview With An American In ISIS,” BuzzFeed News, April 17, 2015, http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/gone-girl-an-interview-with-an-american-in-isis#.heGXm80KZ.

Muthana family spokesman Hassan Shibly, who is also chief executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations Florida, told reporters in April 2015 that Muthana had been “abused” and “brainwashed” by ISIS. According to Shibly, Muthana withdrew from the Muslim community a year before she left “because she knew that the community was not sympathetic to those extremists groups.”“Alabama woman joins Islamic State in Syria: media,” Reuters, April 21, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/21/us-usa-security-alabama-idUSKBN0NC0OR20150421. Muthana’s father also believes his daughter has been brainwashed. Muthana responded that all parents of ISIS foreign fighters believe that of their children.Ellie Hall, “Gone Girl: An Interview With An American In ISIS,” BuzzFeed News, April 17, 2015, http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/gone-girl-an-interview-with-an-american-in-isis#.heGXm80KZ.

Soon after the death of her first husband, Muthana married a Tunisian foreign fighter with whom she had a son, Adam. After that husband was killed, she married a Syrian ISIS fighter in 2018. Following the collapse of ISIS’s caliphate, Muthana fled with her son. They were captured by Kurdish forces in January 2019 and placed in the al-Hawl refugee camp in Syria alongside approximately 1,500 other ISIS wives and children.Martin Chulov and Bethan McKernan, “Hoda Muthana ‘deeply regrets’ joining Isis and wants to return home,” Guardian (London), February 17, 2019, ="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/17/us-woman-hoda-muthana-deeply-regrets-joining-isis-and-wants-return-home">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/17/us-woman-hoda-muthana-deeply-regrets-joining-isis-and-wants-return-home.

Muthana has declared her desire to return to the United States, but she faces legal obstacles. In a February 19, 2019, interview with ABC News, Muthana said that she regretted her actions and wanted to return to the United States with her 18-month-old son.Enjoli Francis and James Longman, “Former ISIS bride who left US for Syria says she 'interpreted everything very wrong,’” ABC News, February 19, 2019, https://abcnews.go.com/International/isis-bride-left-us-syria-interpreted-wrong/story?id=61175508. Muthana publicly burned her passport and renounced her citizenship in 2014. On January 15, 2016, the State Department of President Barack Obama sent a letter to Muthana’s address in Alabama declaring her passport had been issued in error and was invalid. The State Department charged that Muthana’s father was assigned to Yemen’s permanent mission to the United Nations at the time of her birth, and she therefore was ineligible for U.S. citizenship. According to the letter, there was “no evidence” Muthana was a U.S. citizen.Dara Lind, “The fight over whether ISIS recruit Hoda Muthana is a US citizen, explained,” Vox, February 22, 2019, https://www.vox.com/world/2019/2/22/18236309/hoda-muthana-isis-citizen-trump-pompeo. On February 20, 2019, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that Muthana is not a U.S. citizen and would not be admitted to the United States.“Statement on Hoda Muthana,” U.S. Department of State, February 20, 2019, https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2019/02/289558.htm. U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that he had instructed Pompeo “not to allow Hoda Muthana back into the Country!”Donald J. Trump, Twitter post, February 20, 2019, 4:05 p.m., https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1098327855145062411.

Pompeo’s statement did not specify what led the administration to conclude that Muthana did not hold U.S. citizenship or the right to citizenship, but he later clarified that Muthana does not qualify for birthright citizenship because of her father’s diplomatic status. Though Muthana was born in the United States, children of foreign diplomats born in the country are not eligible for automatic citizenship. Muthana’s family argues that her father’s diplomatic service officially ended a month before she was born. According to the family’s attorney, Muthana received a U.S. passport as a child after her father had provided documentation from the United Nations that he had been discharged before her birth. Immigration experts argue that Muthana’s U.S. passport is proof of her citizenship and the Trump administration therefore cannot declare her a non-citizen.Rukmini Callimachi and Alan Yuhas, “Alabama Woman Who Joined ISIS Can’t Return Home, U.S. Says,” New York Times, February 20, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/20/world/middleeast/isis-bride-hoda-muthana.html; Natalie Musumeci and Ruth Brown, “ISIS bride’s lawyer says he has proof she’s still US citizen,” New York Post, February 20, 2019, https://nypost.com/2019/02/20/isis-brides-nj-birth-certificate-doesnt-prove-us-citizenship-experts/; Ellie Hall, “Gone Girl: An Interview With An American In ISIS,” BuzzFeed News, April 17, 2015, http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/gone-girl-an-interview-with-an-american-in-isis#.heGXm80KZ; Isaac Stanley-Becker, “‘Rule by tyranny’: American-born woman who joined ISIS must be allowed to return, lawsuit says,” Washington Post, February 22, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/22/rule-by-tyranny-american-born-woman-who-joined-isis-must-be-allowed-return-lawsuit-says/?utm_term=.45c5c1c2bd78. The Muthana family filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on February 21, 2019, to allow their daughter to return to the United States.Kim Hjelmgaard, “ISIS bride Hoda Muthana's family files lawsuit against Trump,” USA Today, February 22, 2019, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/02/22/hoda-muthana-isis-brides-family-file-lawsuit-against-trump-pompeo/2948575002/.

CAIR Florida’s Shibly, who has continued to advise the Muthana family, claimed also that Muthana sought to return to the United States to face charges and take responsibility for her actions. According to Shibly, Muthana recognizes that she had “been completely brainwashed” by ISIS.Natalie Musumeci, “Hoda Muthana’s lawyer: Few people ‘resent ISIS’ as much as she,” New York Post, February 21, 2019, https://nypost.com/2019/02/21/hoda-muthanas-lawyer-few-people-resent-isis-as-much-as-her/.

On November 14, 2019, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ruled that Muthana’s father was still employed as a Yemeni diplomat at the time of her birth and Muthana therefore did not have U.S. citizenship. The court recognized that Ahmed Ali Muthana had been fired from his position representing Yemen at the United Nations in either June or September 1994, while Hoda Muthana was born that October.Ellie Hall, “A Judge Has Ruled That A Woman Who Left The US For ISIS Is Not An American Citizen,” BuzzFeed News, November 14, 2019, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ellievhall/hoda-muthana-isis-not-american-citizen. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the sending state must notify the receiving state of a diplomat’s termination and the receiving state must acknowledge receipt before a diplomatic agent’s function is formally terminated.“Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” United Nations, 2003, http://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/9_1_1961.pdf. According to documents submitted to the court, the United Nations did not receive notification of Muthana’s termination until February 6, 1995, almost fourth months after Hoda Muthana’s birth.Ellie Hall, “A Judge Has Ruled That A Woman Who Left The US For ISIS Is Not An American Citizen,” BuzzFeed News, November 14, 2019, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ellievhall/hoda-muthana-isis-not-american-citizen. The 2016 State Department letter also affirmed that while Muthana’s father had tendered his resignation to Yemen’s U.N. mission on September 1, 1994, before her birth, the U.S. Permanent Mission to the United Nations was not notified of his termination until February 1995. According to the State Department, Ahmed Ali Muthana maintained his diplomatic status at the time of his daughter’s birth, thus making her ineligible for birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.Dara Lind, “The fight over whether ISIS recruit Hoda Muthana is a US citizen, explained,” Vox, February 22, 2019, https://www.vox.com/world/2019/2/22/18236309/hoda-muthana-isis-citizen-trump-pompeo.

Walton further ruled that any financial support given to Muthana or her 2-year-old child by her parents would constitute material support to terrorism. Hoda Muthana’s legal counsel expected to appeal the decision.Ellie Hall, “A Judge Has Ruled That A Woman Who Left The US For ISIS Is Not An American Citizen,” BuzzFeed News, November 14, 2019, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ellievhall/hoda-muthana-isis-not-american-citizen.

On January 19, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the district court’s decision on Muthana’s citizenship, ruling that “Hoda Muthana is not now and never was a citizen of the United States,” and “because Hoda is not a citizen, neither is her son, who was born abroad to two alien parents.”Circuit Judge Neomi Rao, “Ahmed Ali Muthana, Individually, and as Next Friend of Hoda Muthana and Minor John Doe, Appellant v. Michael R. Pompeo,” United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, January 19, 2021, https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf/97F4C9BA474983DE8525866200567816/$file/19-5362-1880558.pdf. Muthana’s attorneys continued the appeal process. On January 11, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court refused a request to hear Muthana’s case.“Supreme Court denies appeal of regretful Islamic State bride,” Associated Press, January 11, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-alabama-united-states-middle-east-birmingham-9618965ac9e09b3221ccf48d0e0cce5e.

On March 31, 2021, Muthana’s sister, Arwa Muthana, and Arwa’s husband, James Bradley, were arrested in New Jersey for attempting to and conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. Arwa and Bradley were allegedly planning to travel to Yemen by cargo ship with the aim of joining ISIS.“Sister of Alabama ISIS Bride Hoda Muthana Arrested with Husband While Allegedly Trying to Join Terrorists,” AL.com, April 2, 2021, https://www.al.com/news/2021/04/sister-of-alabama-isis-bride-hoda-muthana-arrested-with-husband-while-allegedly-trying-to-join-terrorists.html; “Man and Woman Charged with Attempting and Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, April 1, 2021, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-and-woman-charged-attempting-and-conspiring-provide-material-support-isis. They both pleaded guilty in September 2022 to attempting to provide material support. They both pleaded guilty in September 2022 to attempting to provide material support.“New York City Man and Alabama Woman Plead Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 12, 2022, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-city-man-and-alabama-woman-plead-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isis.

In an early January 2023 interview from Syria’s Roj detention camp with The News Movement, Hoda Muthana claimed she still wanted to return to the United States and would serve prison time if necessary. Wearing pants, a sweatshirt, and a knit hat, Muthana said she never agreed with ISIS’s ideology and regretted all her actions except for her young son. She claimed she was a victim of ISIS trafficking and wanted to go home to start a new chapter with her family. Shibly pointed to the interview as evidence Muthana was “brainwashed and taken advantage of,” arguing she could be allowed to return, repay her debt to society, and help others who were in her position.“Alabama woman who joined IS hopes to return from Syria camp,” Associated Press, January 8, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-group-politics-syria-crime-prisons-dfb3cde1330e15b69a4c18552c837664; “She joined ISIS. Now she is trapped in Syria.,” YouTube video, 15:32, posted by “The News Movement,” January 8, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAQ4tDTh46A.

Ali Saleh is a U.S. citizen and alleged attempted foreign fighter for ISIS. Saleh allegedly failed on multiple occasions to secure flights to join ISIS strongholds abroad, in both Syria and Egypt. In August 2015, he allegedly abandoned his efforts to join ISIS and attempted to fly to Yemen to join a local militia there.“United States of America Against Ali Saleh,” United States Department of Justice, September 16, 2015,http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/772336/download.

According to federal prosecutors, in 2013, Saleh became interested in the Syrian civil war. He later pledged allegiance to ISIS and attempted to travel to ISIS-controlled territory in the Middle East multiple times. On August 28, 2014, he stated his desire to travel to Syria online and purchased airline tickets for a flight from New York to Turkey, with the intention of crossing into Syria. However, Saleh’s parents confiscated his passport, and he was unable to travel.“New York Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Provide Material Support To ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, July 24, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isis-0.

In October 2014, Saleh communicated with an ISIS supporter in Mali online and wired $500 to help facilitate that individual’s travel to Syria. Saleh also used the Internet to communicate with other ISIS supporters in the United Kingdom and Australia.“New York Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Provide Material Support To ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, July 24, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isis-0.

In July 2015, Saleh purchased fireworks, which contained explosive powder, in Indiana and transported them to New York hidden in a concealed compartment of his car. He abandoned the car when it broke down during the journey to New York City. Around the same time, he shared an image online that described how to build an improvised explosive device.“New York Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Provide Material Support To ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, July 24, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isis-0.

Saleh made subsequent unsuccessful attempts to travel abroad. On July 24, 2015, he purchased airline tickets to fly from New York to Egypt. He was denied boarding at John F. Kennedy International Airport. He then traveled to airports in Newark, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis, but encountered issues at all three locations. He then planned to take a train from Cleveland, Ohio to Canada, where he intended to fly to the Middle East.“New York Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Provide Material Support To ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, July 24, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isis-0. However, at the train station in Cleveland, he was approached by FBI agents. During the subsequent interview, Saleh admitted that he had been in contact with ISIS facilitators and that he intended to fly to Yemen to join a militia. After the interview and upon learning that the Canadian authorities would not allow him to enter the country, he returned to New York.“United States of America Against Ali Saleh,” United States Department of Justice, September 16, 2015,http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/772336/download, 12-13.

In September 2015, after more than a year of Saleh’s alleged attempts to join foreign terrorist organizations abroad, the United States filed a criminal complaint against Saleh, charging him with attempting to provide material support and resources, “including personnel (himself)” to a foreign terrorist group, namely, ISIS.“New York Man Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 17, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-man-arrested-attempting-provide-material-support-isil. On July 24, 2018, Saleh pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of attempting to provide material support to ISIS. At sentencing, he faces up to 35 years in prison.“New York Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Provide Material Support To ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, July 24, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isis-0.

Saleh slashed a federal correctional officer on July 13, 2018, while imprisoned at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, when the officer reached into the cell to remove trash, Saleh slashed the officer’s right forearm with a makeshift knife and said, “I hope you die.” On June 3, 2019, Saleh pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal correctional officer and possessing contraband in a federal jail. At sentencing, he faces 25 years in prison for these two charges, in addition to the 35 years he faces on the earlier ISIS charges.“Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting a Federal Correctional Officer and Possessing Contraband at a Federal Jail in Brooklyn,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of New York, June 3, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/queens-man-pleads-guilty-assaulting-federal-correctional-officer-and-possessing.

Virginia-born Zachary Chesser is a homegrown extremist and would-be foreign fighter who attempted to travel to Somalia to fight alongside al-Shabaab. Chesser is known—alongside U.S. citizen Jesse Curtis Morton—for urging U.S.-based extremists to attack the writers of the television show South Park. The show’s writers had produced an episode in which the Islamic prophet Muhammad was depicted wearing a bear costume.“Wife of Zachary Chesser Pleads Guilty to Making False Statement,” FBI, November 8, 2010, https://www.fbi.gov/washingtondc/press-releases/2010/wfo110810b.htm;
“Zachary Chesser: A Case Study in Online Islamist Radicalization and Its Meaning for the Threat of Homegrown Terrorism,” United States Senate, February 2012, 12, http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/download/zachary-chesser-a-case-study-in-online-radicalization-.

In April 2010, Chesser and Morton issued a threat to South Park’s writers on their website revolutionmuslim.com. The pair warned that the writers might share the fate of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, who was murdered in 2004 for a film he directed criticizing misogyny in Islam.Edecio Martinez, “Zachary Chesser Threatened “South Park” Creators Over Muhammad, Now Charged in Terror Case,” CBS News, July 23, 2010, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/zachary-chesser-threatened-south-park-creators-over-muhammad-now-charged-in-terror-case/;
Joshua Rhett Miller, “Road to Radicalism: The Man Behind the ‘South Park’ Threats,” Fox News, April 23, 2010, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/04/23/road-radicalism-man-south-park-threats/. In May 2010, Chesser and Morton used revolutionmuslim.com to call for the murder of an artist tied to “Everybody Draw Mohammad Day,” an event in support of artists who had been threatened for drawing the Islamic prophet. “Leader of Revolution Muslim Pleads Guilty to Using Internet to Solicit Murder and Encourage Violent Extremism,” FBI, February 9, 2012, https://www.fbi.gov/washingtondc/press-releases/2012/leader-of-revolution-muslim-pleads-guilty-to-using-internet-to-solicit-murder-and-encourage-violent-extremism.

Chesser converted to Islam in the summer of 2008 while playing on a soccer team organized by a member of the transnational Islamist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir.“Zachary Chesser: A Case Study in Online Islamist Radicalization and Its Meaning for the Threat of Homegrown Terrorism,” United States Senate, February 2012, 5, http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/download/zachary-chesser-a-case-study-in-online-radicalization-. His writing soon appeared on the blog belonging to Anwar al-Awlaki—an American-Yemeni terrorist who was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Yemen in 2011. Chesser later admitted to corresponding with al-Awlaki via email.“Zachary Chesser Timeline,” Washington Post, accessed September 21, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/metro/zac-chesser/.

In December 2009, Chesser created the blog “themujahidblog.com” to “[spread] knowledge regarding Jihad and the Mujahideen.” In June 2010, he posted his nearly 7,000-word manifesto titled “Raising Al Qaa’ida” to several jihadist websites.“Wife of Zachary Chesser Pleads Guilty to Making False Statement,” FBI, November 8, 2010, https://www.fbi.gov/washingtondc/press-releases/2010/wfo110810b.htm;
“Zachary Chesser: A Case Study in Online Islamist Radicalization and Its Meaning for the Threat of Homegrown Terrorism,” United States Senate, February 2012, 12, http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/download/zachary-chesser-a-case-study-in-online-radicalization-.

Excerpt #1 from Zachary Chesser’s 7,000-word manifesto titled “Raising Al Qaa’ida”
(Source: Washington Post)

Excerpt #2 from Zachary Chesser’s 7,000-word manifesto titled “Raising Al Qaa’ida”
(Source: Washington Post)

Approximately two weeks later, Chesser was stopped from boarding a flight with his infant son to Uganda, where he planned to continue onto Somalia to join al-Shabaab. He was arrested approximately 20 days later and pled guilty in October 2010 to charges of “communicating threats against the writers of the South Park television show, soliciting violent jihadists to desensitize law enforcement, and attempting to provide material support to al Shabaab,” according to the FBI.“Wife of Zachary Chesser Pleads Guilty to Making False Statement,” FBI, November 8, 2010, https://www.fbi.gov/washingtondc/press-releases/2010/wfo110810b.htm. Four days following Chesser’s arrest, Morton fled to Morocco. He was arrested there on U.S. charges in May 2011.“Leader of Revolution Muslim Pleads Guilty to Using Internet to Solicit Murder and Encourage Violent Extremism,” FBI, February 9, 2012, https://www.fbi.gov/washingtondc/press-releases/2012/leader-of-revolution-muslim-pleads-guilty-to-using-internet-to-solicit-murder-and-encourage-violent-extremism.

Chesser’s wife, Ugandan national Proscovia Kampire Nzabanita, had reportedly planned to meet Chesser in Somalia. In November 2010, Nzabanita pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a special agent investigating her husband. She also admitted that in 2009, she and her husband attempted to travel to Somalia so that Chesser could join al-Shabaab. Nzabanita later faced deportation and reportedly fled to Jordan.Associated Press, “‘South Park’ Terror Convict Zachary Chesser: My Mother And The FBI Violated My Rights,” Huffington Post, March 25, 2015, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/25/zachary-chesser_n_6943196.html.

In June 2014, Chesser was transferred from prison in Illinois to a Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, after he repeatedly organized unauthorized meetings with Muslim inmates.Meg Wagner, “Convict who threatened 'South Park' creators sues prison, claims it's difficult to practice Islam behind bars,” New York Daily News, January 9, 2015, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/south-park-terrorist-sues-prison-hindering-faith-article-1.2071959. He was later transferred to United States Penitentiary Hazelton in West Virginia. Chesser is due to be released in January 2032.“Zachary Adam Chesser,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.

Abdifatah Aden was a naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia who went to Syria to fight for the Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria. He died in battle in June 2014 at the age of 27.Kathy Lynn Gray, “Documents reveal details about Columbus man accused of helping terrorists,” Columbus Dispatch, April 21, 2015, http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/04/21/terrorism_search_warrants.html.

Aden lived in Columbus, Ohio, from 2005 to 2013 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2006.Kathy Lynn Gray, “Documents reveal details about Columbus man accused of helping terrorists,” Columbus Dispatch, April 21, 2015, http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/04/21/terrorism_search_warrants.html. On Facebook, he was known as “Abdifateh SeekTruth Aden,” and posted propaganda videos in support of violent jihadist ideology. In October 2012, Aden posted videos and quotes by Islamic extremist lecturer Anwar al-Awlaki.Kathy Lynn Gray, “Documents reveal details about Columbus man accused of helping terrorists,” Columbus Dispatch, April 21, 2015, http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/04/21/terrorism_search_warrants.html.

Aden left for Saudi Arabia in 2013 and then decided to fight for the Nusra Front. He asked his half-brother Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud for money to cover his living expenses in Syria.Kathy Lynn Gray, “Documents reveal details about Columbus man accused of helping terrorists,” Columbus Dispatch, April 21, 2015, http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/04/21/terrorism_search_warrants.html. In September 2013, the two brothers communicated about Mohamud’s plans to join Aden in Syria and Mohamud’s desire to “join you in the high ranks as a Mujahid.”Kevin Landers, “Columbus Man Pleads Not Guilty to Plotting Military Base Attack,” 10TV, April 17, 2015, http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2015/04/17/columbus-ohio-columbus-man-to-be-arraigned-on-ffederal-terrorism-charges.html. Upon news of Aden’s death, Mohamud said he was happy and that he “was next and would join Aden soon.”Kevin Landers, “Columbus Man Pleads Not Guilty to Plotting Military Base Attack,” 10TV, April 17, 2015, http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2015/04/17/columbus-ohio-columbus-man-to-be-arraigned-on-ffederal-terrorism-charges.html.

After Aden’s death, a “martyrdom photo” showing him lying in bed with a bandaged head began to circulate on Facebook. Mohamud requested that the photo be taken down and later took down his Facebook account as well.Kathy Lynn Gray, “Documents reveal details about Columbus man accused of helping terrorists,” Columbus Dispatch, April 21, 2015, http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/04/21/terrorism_search_warrants.html.

Mohamud traveled to Syria in April 2014 and returned to the United States two months later, allegedly planning to carry out an attack on U.S. soil.John Bacon, “Ohio man accused of planning U.S. terror strike,” USA Today, April 16, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/16/ohio-indicted-islamic-state-terrorism/25879443/. He was arrested in February 2015 and has pled not guilty to charges of supporting terrorism.John Bacon, “Ohio man accused of planning U.S. terror strike,” USA Today, April 16, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/16/ohio-indicted-islamic-state-terrorism/25879443/. On January 22, 2018, Mohamud was sentenced to 22 years in prison, but he requested to be deported instead of serving his sentence. The local Homeland Security Investigations office has said it will look into stripping him of his citizenship and deporting him to his native Somalia.Andrew Welsh-Huggins “Man accused in terror plot asked for deportation over prison,” Fox News, January 28, 2018, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/28/man-accused-in-terror-plot-asked-for-deportation-over-prison.html.

Sinh Vinh Ngo Nguyen, an American foreign fighter for al-Qaeda, was arrested by the FBI while attempting to travel to Syria for his second time. He was later sentenced for a variety of terrorism charges.Douglas Ernst, “Man who tried to join al Qaeda through Facebook, assist terror group gets 13-year sentence,” Washington Times, July 1, 2014, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/1/man-who-tried-find-al-qaeda-faceook-assist-terror-/.

According to his family, Nguyen was raised Catholic and faith-driven. As he sought an understanding of God, Nguyen began to study the Quran along with the Bible and started to attend mosques.“‘I’m literally having a blast’: What Californian Muslim convert posted on Facebook from Syria before being arrested for aiding Al-Qaeda,” Daily Mail (London), October 12, 2013, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2457191/Im-literally-having-blast-What-Californian-Muslim-convert-posted-Facebook-Syria-arrested-aiding-Al-Qaeda.html;
Adolfo Flores and Anh Do, “Family paints different picture of terrorist suspect,” Los Angeles Times, October 14, 2013, http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/14/local/la-me-1015-al-qaeda-figure-20131015. Nguyen converted to Islam in 2011 and changed his name to Hasan Abu Omar Ghannoum.“‘I’m literally having a blast’: What Californian Muslim convert posted on Facebook from Syria before being arrested for aiding Al-Qaeda,” Daily Mail (London), October 12, 2013, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2457191/Im-literally-having-blast-What-Californian-Muslim-convert-posted-Facebook-Syria-arrested-aiding-Al-Qaeda.html. After his conversion, Nguyen became self-radicalized and traveled to Syria with intentions to fight alongside the al-Qaeda affiliated Nusra Front against the Bashar al-Assad regime.“Enemies Among Us: What We Know About Homegrown Terrorists,” RAND Corporation, February 26, 2015, http://www.rand.org/blog/rand-review/2015/02/enemies-among-us-what-we-know-about-homegrown-terrorists.html;
“California man admits to using Facebook, Internet to connect with Al Qaeda,” New York Daily News, December 27, 2013, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/man-admits-facebook-connect-al-qaeda-article-1.1559775;
Evan Kohlmann and Laith Alkhouri, “Profiles of Foreign Fighters in Syria and Iraq,” CTC Sentinel 7, no. 9 (2014). https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/profiles-of-foreign-fighters-in-syria-and-iraq.

In December 2012, Nguyen traveled to Lebanon with a passport under the name Hasan Abu Omar Ghannoum. He then crossed the Lebanese border into Syria and spent five months fighting alongside the Nusra Front.“‘I’m literally having a blast’: What Californian Muslim convert posted on Facebook from Syria before being arrested for aiding Al-Qaeda,” Daily Mail (London), October 12, 2013, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2457191/Im-literally-having-blast-What-Californian-Muslim-convert-posted-Facebook-Syria-arrested-aiding-Al-Qaeda.html;
Evan Kohlmann and Laith Alkhouri, “Profiles of Foreign Fighters in Syria and Iraq,” CTC Sentinel 7, no. 9 (2014). https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/profiles-of-foreign-fighters-in-syria-and-iraq. His family was under the impression that he had traveled to Lebanon and Syria in order to expand his knowledge of Islam and study the Quran.“‘I’m literally having a blast’: What Californian Muslim convert posted on Facebook from Syria before being arrested for aiding Al-Qaeda,” Daily Mail (London), October 12, 2013, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2457191/Im-literally-having-blast-What-Californian-Muslim-convert-posted-Facebook-Syria-arrested-aiding-Al-Qaeda.html

Using a Facebook account under his Islamic name, Hasan Abu Omar Ghannoum, he documented his trip through various posts. In December 2012, Nguyen described traveling across difficult terrain, preparing to “fight against Assad and his minions.” He narrowly avoided snipers while attempting to get to a Syrian village.Adolfo Flores and Anh Do, “Family paints different picture of terrorist suspect,” Los Angeles Times, October 14, 2013, http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/14/local/la-me-1015-al-qaeda-figure-20131015. He also reached out to family and friends in a January 2013 posting, “I’m doing well in Syria…having a blast here, and I mean literally.”“‘I’m literally having a blast’: What Californian Muslim convert posted on Facebook from Syria before being arrested for aiding Al-Qaeda,” Daily Mail (London), October 12, 2013, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2457191/Im-literally-having-blast-What-Californian-Muslim-convert-posted-Facebook-Syria-arrested-aiding-Al-Qaeda.html By February 2013, Nguyen bragged about his first kill with al-Qaeda. “I got my first confirmed kill about two weeks ago. So pumped to get more.”Adolfo Flores and Anh Do, “Family paints different picture of terrorist suspect,” Los Angeles Times, October 14, 2013, http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/14/local/la-me-1015-al-qaeda-figure-20131015.

After he returned home, Nguyen used the same social media account to post his promise to return to Syria. “It has ben more than 3 months [since] I have been back. After I left my brother’s country, I have so many regrets of leaving my brothers and sisters who are still suffering over there. I’ll be back there.”Adolfo Flores and Anh Do, “Family paints different picture of terrorist suspect,” Los Angeles Times, October 14, 2013, http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/14/local/la-me-1015-al-qaeda-figure-20131015. His Facebook accounts were shut down soon after his arrest.Adolfo Flores and Anh Do, “Family paints different picture of terrorist suspect,” Los Angeles Times, October 14, 2013, http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/14/local/la-me-1015-al-qaeda-figure-20131015.

In August 2013, Nguyen connected with an undercover FBI agent on Facebook who he thought was an al-Qaeda recruiter.Douglas Ernst, “Man who tried to join al Qaeda through Facebook, assist terror group gets 13-year sentence,” Washington Times, July 1, 2014, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/1/man-who-tried-find-al-qaeda-faceook-assist-terror-/. Between August 3 and October 11, he met with the undercover agent, telling him what he had previously done in Syria and saying that he wanted to return to jihad.California man admits to using Facebook, Internet to connect with Al Qaeda,” New York Daily News, December 27, 2013, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/man-admits-facebook-connect-al-qaeda-article-1.1559775. Nguyen purchased a ticket from Mexico to Pakistan, but as he was about to board the bus that would take him from California to the Mexican airport, FBI agents made their arrest.“California man admits to using Facebook, Internet to connect with Al Qaeda,” New York Daily News, December 27, 2013, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/man-admits-facebook-connect-al-qaeda-article-1.1559775. Nguyen was discovered in possession of a false passport and a hard drive containing almost 200 weapons training videos.Douglas Ernst, “Man who tried to join al Qaeda through Facebook, assist terror group gets 13-year sentence,” Washington Times, July 1, 2014, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/1/man-who-tried-find-al-qaeda-faceook-assist-terror-/.

Nguyen pled guilty and is now serving 13 years in federal prison and an additional 10 years of supervised release for attempting to assist a terrorist organization and lying on a U.S. passport application to aid international terrorism.Douglas Ernst, “Man who tried to join al Qaeda through Facebook, assist terror group gets 13-year sentence,” Washington Times, July 1, 2014, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/1/man-who-tried-find-al-qaeda-faceook-assist-terror-/;
“’I’m literally having a blast’: What Californian Muslim convert posted on Facebook from Syria before being arrested for aiding Al-Qaeda,” Daily Mail (London), October 12, 2013, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2457191/Im-literally-having-blast-What-Californian-Muslim-convert-posted-Facebook-Syria-arrested-aiding-Al-Qaeda.html.

Abdella Ahmad Tounisi is an American who was arrested for attempting to travel to Syria to fight alongside al-Nusra Front.Jason Meisner, “Aurora man pleads guilty to plotting to join al-Qaida in Syria in 2013,” Chicago Tribune, August 11, 2015, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-aurora-man-guilty-terrorism-met-20150811-story.html. Tounisi had unknowingly confessed his plan to an undercover FBI agent posing as a terrorist recruiter.“Aurora Man Pleads Guilty to Terrorism Charge,” CBS Chicago, August 11, 2015, http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/08/11/aurora-man-pleads-guilty-to-terrorism-charge/.

Tounisi had been bullied as a child and learned to seek asylum in his religion. He educated himself on the Syrian civil war and became outraged by the actions taken by the Syrian government. Mick Dumke, “Accused terrorists from Chicago were lured by extremists-and the U.S. government,” Chicago Reader, July 9, 2015, http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/terrorism-sami-hassoun-adel-daoud-wrigley-field-abdella-ahmad-tounisi/Content?oid=18243769. Tounisi confided in his friend, Adel Daoud, whom he met at his mosque, and told him he wanted to become a foreign fighter.Mick Dumke, “Accused terrorists from Chicago were lured by extremists-and the U.S. government,” Chicago Reader, July 9, 2015, http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/terrorism-sami-hassoun-adel-daoud-wrigley-field-abdella-ahmad-tounisi/Content?oid=18243769. The pair shared an interest in violent jihad, a topic about which they often talked and exchanged emails, phone calls, text messages, and videos.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf.

Daoud was arrested on September 14, 2012, after attempting to detonate a bomb outside a bar in downtown Chicago.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf. In July of that year, he met a purported operational terrorist who was in fact an FBI undercover agent.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf. Daoud disclosed to him his desire to conduct an attack on the United States. He believed the country was unjustly killing Muslims in the Middle East conflict and sought retribution.Mick Dumke, “Accused terrorists from Chicago were lured by extremists-and the U.S. government,” Chicago Reader, July 9, 2015, http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/terrorism-sami-hassoun-adel-daoud-wrigley-field-abdella-ahmad-tounisi/Content?oid=18243769. The undercover agent met with Daoud on several occasions to research and select possible targets to attack, as well as conduct surveillance of those areas.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf.

In August 2012, Daoud shared his terror attack plan with Tounisi and asked for assistance. Tounisi provided input on attack techniques and researched several of Daoud’s targeted locations to determine which would be the most feasible.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf. However, after several weeks, Tounisi decided against participating in the attack. He was skeptical about the supposed terrorist Daoud was working with and believed the man was “a spy” who worked in law enforcement.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf;
Jason Meisner, “Aurora man pleads guilty to plotting to join al-Qaida in Syria in 2013,” Chicago Tribune, August 11, 2015, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-aurora-man-guilty-terrorism-met-20150811-story.html.

Daoud continued his plot with the undercover agent. He was provided with a false bomb to “detonate” inside a car parked next to a bar in downtown Chicago.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf. Daoud was arrested after attempting to detonate the fake device.Mick Dumke, “Accused terrorists from Chicago were lured by extremists-and the U.S. government,” Chicago Reader, July 9, 2015, http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/terrorism-sami-hassoun-adel-daoud-wrigley-field-abdella-ahmad-tounisi/Content?oid=18243769. FBI agents interviewed Tounisi and he admitted to assisting Daoud the target selection. However, he was not charged for his actions.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf;
Jason Meisner, “Aurora man pleads guilty to plotting to join al-Qaida in Syria in 2013,” Chicago Tribune, August 11, 2015, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-aurora-man-guilty-terrorism-met-20150811-story.html.

Although his friend had been arrested, Tounisi continued to show an interest in violent jihad.Jason Meisner, “Aurora man pleads guilty to plotting to join al-Qaida in Syria in 2013,” Chicago Tribune, August 11, 2015, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-aurora-man-guilty-terrorism-met-20150811-story.html. From January 2013 to April 2013, Tounisi performed extensive online searches related to traveling overseas and the terrorist group the Nusra Front. He also applied for an expedited passport, which he received.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf.

On March 28, 2013, Tounisi went to a website that claimed to recruit for al-Nusra Front.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf. He reached out to an email address on the site that connected him with an individual whom he believed to be a recruiter for al-Nusra Front. Unaware that this particular website was circulated by the FBI to catch individuals attempting to become foreign fighters, Tounisi followed instructions of an undercover agent, posing as a recruiter for the al-Qaeda affiliated group.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf.

Tounisi told the undercover agent how he planned to get to Syria by traveling to Istanbul, Turkey, and later to Gaziantep, a Turkish city bordering Syria.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf. He also expressed his willingness to fight and die for the cause.Jason Meisner, “Aurora man pleads guilty to plotting to join al-Qaida in Syria in 2013,” Chicago Tribune, August 11, 2015, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-aurora-man-guilty-terrorism-met-20150811-story.html.

By April 10, 2013, Tounisi had purchased an airline ticket to fly from Chicago to Turkey and the undercover agent had sent him a bus ticket to get from Istanbul to Gaziantep, where Tounisi was to supposedly meet an al-Nusra Front guide to take him across the border.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf.

On April 19, he traveled to O’Hare International Airport.“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf. After proceeding through airport security, he was arrested by FBI agents as he was waiting to board his flight.Chuck Goudie, “Aurora teen, Abdella Ahmad Tounisi, talking plea deal with federal prosecutors,” ABC 7 Chicago, January 8, 2015, http://abc7chicago.com/news/aurora-teen-abdella-tounisi-talking-plea-deal-with-feds/466816/;
“United States v. ABDELLA AHMAD TOUNISI,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, April 20, 2013, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ndil/legacy/2015/06/11/pr0422_01a.pdf. Tounisi was charged and later pleaded guilty for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.“Aurora Man Pleads Guilty to Terrorism Charge,” CBS Chicago, August 11, 2015, http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/08/11/aurora-man-pleads-guilty-to-terrorism-charge/. Prosecutors argued that Tounisi was a “significant threat” and requested he be imprisoned for fifteen years.Chuck Goudie and Barb Markoff, “Government Wants Long Sentence for Suburban Teen Terrorist,” ABC7 Chicago, October 9, 2017, https://abc7chicago.com/abdella-ahmad-tounisi-aurora-terrorist-teen-sentence/2513354/. On October 9, 2017, federal district judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan concurred with prosecutors’ recommendations and sentenced him to 15 years in federal prison. Judge Der-Yeghiayan stated that Tounisi “chose to become a villain” by trading “the opportunity to attend college for a terrorist training camp.” The judge further stated that the prison sentence would be even longer if the statutory maximum did not exist.Chuck Goudie and Ross Weidner, “Aspiring Chicago Terrorist Called ‘Villain’ By Judge; Gets 15 Year Sentence,” ABC7 Chicago, October 19, 2017, https://abc7chicago.com/abdella-ahmad-tounisi-syria-terrorist-chicago/2551727/.

Tounisi is currently incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institute Terra Haute, with a tentative release date of January 29, 2026.“Abdella Ahmad Tounisi,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed January 11, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.

Abdirahmaan Muhumed was a Somali-American fighting with ISIS. In 2013, Muhumed left his home in Minnesota to join the terrorist group in Syria. It is believed that Muhumed died in an ISIS battle in August 2014, reportedly the same battle that killed fellow U.S. citizen and ISIS extremist Douglas McCain.Michael Zenine, “Somali-American who died fighting for ISIS cleaned planes for Delta Airlines at Minneapolis airport before he joined terrorist group,” Daily Mail (London), September 3, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2742206/Somali-American-died-fighting-ISIS-cleaned-planes-Delta-Airlines-Minneapolis-airport-joined-terrorist-group.html.

Before moving to Syria, Muhumed worked cleaning jetliners for Delta Airlines at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.Michael Zenine, “Somali-American who died fighting for ISIS cleaned planes for Delta Airlines at Minneapolis airport before he joined terrorist group,” Daily Mail (London), September 3, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2742206/Somali-American-died-fighting-ISIS-cleaned-planes-Delta-Airlines-Minneapolis-airport-joined-terrorist-group.html. While with ISIS, Muhumed posted a series of extremist messages to Facebook, including a photo of himself carrying the Qu’ran in one hand and a rifle in the other alongside the caption “Shaam,” the Islamic term for greater Syria.Laura Collins, “‘Jihad Cool’: The young Americans lured to fight for ISIS militants with rap videos, adventurism and first hand accounts of the ‘fun’ of guerrilla war,” Daily Mail (London), June 19, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2661727/Jihad-Cool-The-young-Americans-lured-fight-ISIS-militants-rap-videos-adventurism-hand-accounts-fun-guerrilla-war.html. In one particularly gruesome image from May 2013, the head of a dead man could be seen held up to the camera with his mouth slightly open.Laura Collins, “‘Jihad Cool’: The young Americans lured to fight for ISIS militants with rap videos, adventurism and first hand accounts of the ‘fun’ of guerrilla war,” Daily Mail (London), June 19, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2661727/Jihad-Cool-The-young-Americans-lured-fight-ISIS-militants-rap-videos-adventurism-hand-accounts-fun-guerrilla-war.html.

Muhumed was 29-years-old by the time of his reported death.Michael Zenine, “Somali-American who died fighting for ISIS cleaned planes for Delta Airlines at Minneapolis airport before he joined terrorist group,” Daily Mail (London), September 3, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2742206/Somali-American-died-fighting-ISIS-cleaned-planes-Delta-Airlines-Minneapolis-airport-joined-terrorist-group.html. He left behind nine children in Minnesota.

Picture of Muhumed fighting with ISIS. While in Syria, Muhumed was interviewed by MPR News reporter Mukhtar Ibrahim.