The Top 20 Most Dangerous Extremists Around the World

CEP’s list of the 20 most dangerous extremists on the planet highlights the last known location, deaths attributed to these harbingers of terror, as well as analyzes the influence these extremists have had over their group, their followers, and their extremist movement at large. CEP has considered extremists from across the spectrum of ideologies and beliefs, from ISIS to the Muslim Brotherhood and the anti-Muslim Buddhist group in Myanmar to Generation Identity, all are considered a huge threat to international security.

No. 1: Hassan Nasrallah
Secretary-General of Hezbollah

Date of Birth: August 31, 1960“Treasury Designates Hizballah Leadership,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 13, 2012, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1709.aspx.

Also Known As: Hasan Abd-al-Karim“Treasury Targets Hizballah for Supporting the Assad Regime,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, August 10, 2012, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1676.aspx.

Last Known Location: Lebanon or Iran“Treasury Designates Hizballah Leadership,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 13, 2012, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1709.aspx.

Designations:

Background Information: Nasrallah is the secretary-general of the Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah, and an important figure in Lebanese politics.Guy Raz, “Hassan Nasrallah: Mideast Man of the Minute,” National Public Radio, July 18, 2006, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5566717. Although Nasrallah does not hold official office in Lebanon, terrorism expert Walid Phares asserted, “[Nasrallah is] seen as a messianic figure, much higher than any official in Lebanon.”Eben Kaplan, “Profile: Hassan Nasrallah,” Council on Foreign Relations, August 11, 2010, http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/profile-hassan-nasrallah/p11132. Nasrallah has called for revenge against the United States after a U.S. airstrike killed IRGC-Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in Iraq on January 3, 2020.Liz Sly and Sarah Dadouch, “Hezbollah says retribution for Soleimani’s death must target U.S. military, not civilians,” Washington Post, January 5, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/hezbollah-says-retribution-for-soleimanis-death-must-target-us-military-not-civilians/2020/01/05/50869828-2e62-11ea-bffe-020c88b3f120_story.html.

Influence: Nasrallah has shaped Hezbollah into the dominant political power in Lebanon and is the “driving force” behind the group’s military operations.Eben Kaplan, “Profile: Hassan Nasrallah,” Council on Foreign Relations, August 11, 2010, http://www.cfr.org/lebanon/profile-hassan-nasrallah/p11132. Nasrallah has also called on Hezbollah’s supporters to participate in marches annually, such as the “Al Quds Day march,” around the world.TOI Staff and Associated Press, “Nasrallah, in vicious public address, calls for the destruction of Israel,” Times of Israel, August 2, 2013, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-leader-rallies-shiites-with-highly-sectarian-speech/. This activity, along with incitement in mosques and in Shi’ite cultural centers throughout Europe, contributes to an increase in anti-Semitism throughout the continent.“Setting the Record Straight on Hezbollah: Full Report,” AJC, https://www.ajc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2019-09/AJC%20Hezbollah%20Report%20-%20Setting%20the%20Record%20Straight.pdf.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: It is difficult to determine exact figures. However, prior to September 11, 2001, Hezbollah was responsible for more deaths of Americans worldwide than any other organization.Daniel Byman, “Should Hezbollah Be Next?,” Foreign Affairs, November/December 2003, https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/byman20031101.pdf.

No. 2: Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla
Current ISIS caliph

Date of Birth: October 5, 1976Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds One Entry to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, May 21, 2020, https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sc14195.doc.htm.

Also Known As: Abu-‘Abdullah Qardash,“Designation of Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” Federal Register, March 24, 2020, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/24/2020-06112/designation-of-amir-muhammad-said-abdal-rahman-al-mawla-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist. Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi,Conor Finnegan, “New ISIS leader is 'a nobody,' but US knows 'almost nothing' about him: Official,” ABC News, November 6, 2019, https://abcnews.go.com/International/isis-leader-us-senior-official/story?id=66795150. Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi,“Intelbrief: The Islamic State Names Its New Caliph,” The Soufan Center, November 4, 2019, https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-the-islamic-state-names-its-new-caliph/. Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Quraishi,Humeyra Pamuk, “U.S. looking at new ISIS leader and role in organization: U.S. official,” Reuters, November 1, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-baghdadi-usa/u-s-looking-at-new-isis-leader-and-role-in-organization-u-s-official-idUSKBN1XB4SG. Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi,Martin Chulov and Mohammed Rasool, “Isis founding member confirmed by spies as group's new leader,” Guardian, January 20, 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/20/isis-leader-confirmed-amir-mohammed-abdul-rahman-al-mawli-al-salbi. Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi,“Designation of Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” Federal Register, March 24, 2020, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/24/2020-06112/designation-of-amir-muhammad-said-abdal-rahman-al-mawla-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist. Abu Ibrahim al-Qurashi,ArLuther Lee, “Suspected Islamic State terrorist leader arrested in Iraq, reports say,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 20, 2020, https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-islamic-state-terrorist-leader-custody-iraq/7Gj5cam8HSVCJiCNyinULM/. Abdullah Qardash,Tom O’Connor and Naveed Jamali, “ISIS Already Has A New Leader, But Baghdadi May Not Have Been Running The Group Anyway,” Newsweek, October 27, 2019, https://www.newsweek.com/isis-new-leader-baghdadi-running-things-1468025. Abdullah Kardesh,Tom O’Connor and Naveed Jamali, “ISIS Already Has A New Leader, But Baghdadi May Not Have Been Running The Group Anyway,” Newsweek, October 27, 2019, https://www.newsweek.com/isis-new-leader-baghdadi-running-things-1468025. Al-Ustadh,“Designation of Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” Federal Register, March 24, 2020, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/24/2020-06112/designation-of-amir-muhammad-said-abdal-rahman-al-mawla-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist. Ameer Muhammed Saeed Al-Salbi Al-Mawla,“Iraq claims capture of senior Daesh leader,” Arab News, May 21, 2020, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1677661/middle-east. Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi,Martin Chulov and Mohammed Rasool, “Isis founding member confirmed by spies as group's new leader,” Guardian, January 20, 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/20/isis-leader-confirmed-amir-mohammed-abdul-rahman-al-mawli-al-salbi.; Ibrahim al-Marashi, “The Turkmen connection to Islamic State's new leader,” Middle East Eye, January 28, 2020, https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/turkmen-connection-baghdadis-successor. Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al-Mawli,“US to designate head of Daesh as a global terrorist – Pompeo,” Arab News, March 18, 2020, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1642791/middle-east. Amir Muhammad Sa’id ‘Abd-al-Rahman Muhammad al-Mula,“Designation of Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” Federal Register, March 24, 2020, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/24/2020-06112/designation-of-amir-muhammad-said-abdal-rahman-al-mawla-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist. Hajji ‘Abdallah,U.S. Department of State, “Wanted: Information that brings to justice… Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla,” Rewards for Justice, accessed February 5, 2020, https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/amir_al_malwa.html. Hajji Abdullah al-Afari,Tom O'Connor and Naveed Jamali, “ISIS Already Has A New Leader, But Baghdadi May Not Have Been Running The Group Anyway,” Newsweek, October 30, 2019, https://www.newsweek.com/isis-new-leader-baghdadi-running-things-1468025. Al-Hajj Abdullah,“Baghdadi's successor likely to be Iraqi religious scholar,” CNN, October 29, 2019, https://m.cnn.com/en/article/h_873c1d33867a3fe972d26223a97b697c. Al-Hajj Abdullah Qardash,“Designation of Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” Federal Register, March 24, 2020, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/24/2020-06112/designation-of-amir-muhammad-said-abdal-rahman-al-mawla-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist. Muhammad al-Mawla,Ross Ibbetson, “ISIS chief once tipped to replace Baghdadi is captured in raid by Iraqi special forces,” Daily Mail (London), May 20, 2020, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8341865/New-ISIS-chief-captured-Iraqi-intelligence-officers-months-taking-over.html. Muhammad Sa’id ‘Abd-al-Rahman al-Mawla,“Designation of Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” Federal Register, March 24, 2020, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/24/2020-06112/designation-of-amir-muhammad-said-abdal-rahman-al-mawla-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist. Ustadh Ahmad,“Designation of Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” Federal Register, March 24, 2020, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/24/2020-06112/designation-of-amir-muhammad-said-abdal-rahman-al-mawla-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist. “Professor”,Tariq Tahir, “PROF IN CHARGE New ISIS leader named as ex-Saddam henchman ‘The Professor’ Abdullah Qardash after Baghdadi killed in US raid,” The Sun, October 27, 2019, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10224942/new-isis-leader-abdullah-qardash-baghdadi/. “Destroyer”,Remy Mahzam, “Abdullah Qardash: IS Successor to Al-Baghdadi?,” RSIS Commentary, September 20, 2019, https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/icpvtr/abdullah-qardash-is-successor-to-al-baghdadi/#.XicauTJKipo. ‘Abdul Amir Muhammad Sa’id Salbi,“Terrorist Designation of ISIS Leader Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla,” U.S. Department of State, March 17, 2020, www.state.gov/terrorist-designation-of-isis-leader-amir-muhammad-said-abdal-rahman-al-mawla/. Abu-‘Umar al-Turkmani“Terrorist Designation of ISIS Leader Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla,” U.S. Department of State, March 17, 2020, www.state.gov/terrorist-designation-of-isis-leader-amir-muhammad-said-abdal-rahman-al-mawla/.

Last Known Location: Iraq (suspected)Martin Chulov and Mohammed Rasool, “Isis founding member confirmed by spies as group's new leader,” Guardian, January 20, 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/20/isis-leader-confirmed-amir-mohammed-abdul-rahman-al-mawli-al-salbi.

Designations:

Background Information: Al-Mawla, an Iraqi national, succeeded Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as the leader of ISIS.Hesham Abdulkhalek, Yousef Saba, and Ulf Laessing, “Islamic State confirms Baghdadi is dead, appoints successor,” Reuters, October 31, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-baghdadi-confirmation/islamic-state-confirms-baghdadi-is-dead-appoints-successor-idUSKBN1XA25A. He was a senior terrorist leader in ISIS’s predecessor organization, al-Qaeda in Iraq, and steadily rose through the ranks of ISIS.Remy Mahzam, “Abdullah Qardash: IS Successor to Al-Baghdadi?,” RSIS Commentary, September 20, 2019, https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/icpvtr/abdullah-qardash-is-successor-to-al-baghdadi/#.XicauTJKipo.

Influence: It has been reported that al-Mawla has helped drive the abduction, slaughter, and trafficking of members of Yazidi religious minority groups in Iraq. Despite not having the notoriety of his predecessor, he is at minimum the nominal head of a hierarchical terrorist organization that conducts global attacks and seeks to commit further acts of mass violence. The U.N. Security Council has suggested that ISIS fears that al-Mawla lacks some credentials that were usually necessary for a caliph and have kept him out of the spotlight to avoid endangering his position.Paul Cruickshank, “UN report warns ISIS is reasserting under new leader believed to be behind Yazidi genocide,” CNN, January 29, 2020, https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/29/politics/un-terror-report-isis/index.html. Al-Mawla may attempt to reboot the organization which has been weakened by years of U.S.-led assaults.“Who is Mawla the ‘Destroyer’, the new leader of Islamic State?,” Agence France-Presse, July 21, 2020, https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3094049/who-mawla-destroyer-new-leader-islamic-state.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: According to figures provided by the United Nations, al-Mawla is thought to have orchestrated the August 2014 Sinjar massacre where 5,000 Yazidis were killed.“Iraq/Yazidi,” Genocide Studies Program, https://gsp.yale.edu/case-studies/iraq-yazidi. In 2016, ISIS was responsible for 9,150 deaths as a result of terrorist attacks and 1,300 people in 2018.Dominic Dudley, “The Deadliest Terrorist Groups In The World Today,” Forbes, December 5, 2018, https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominicdudley/2018/12/05/deadliest-terrorist-groups-in-the-world/?sh=141e7c682b3e.

No. 3: Ismail Haniyeh
Hamas political chief

Date of Birth: January 29, 1962“SPECIALLY DESIGNATED NATIONALS LIST UPDATE,” United States Department of the Treasury, January 31, 2018, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20180131.

Also Known As: Ismael Haniya,“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 31, 2018, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20180131.aspx. Ismaeel Haniyya,“Palestinian Legislative Council List,” U.S. Department of Treasury, April 12, 2006, http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Terrorism-Proliferation-Narcotics/Documents/plc_list.txt. Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniyeh,“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 31, 2018, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20180131.aspx. Ismail Abdul Salah Haniya,“Palestinian Legislative Council List,” U.S. Department of Treasury, April 12, 2006, http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Terrorism-Proliferation-Narcotics/Documents/plc_list.txt. Ismail Hanieh,“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 31, 2018, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20180131.aspx. Ismail Haniya,“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 31, 2018, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20180131.aspx. Ismail Haniyah,“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 31, 2018, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20180131.aspx. Ismail Haniyyah,“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 31, 2018, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20180131.aspx. Ismayli Haniyeh“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 31, 2018, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20180131.aspx.

Last Known Location: Resides in Doha as the head of Hamas’ politburo is expected to live outside the Gaza strip.Ahmed Fouad, “Egypt may find Gaza more appealing without Haniyeh,” Al-Monitor, February 25, 2020, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/02/egypt-ban-hamas-haniyeh-return-gaza-iran-qatar.html.

Designations:

Background Information: Haniyeh is the chief of Hamas’s political bureau. He formerly served as deputy leader of Hamas between 2014 and 2017 and as Hamas’s prime minister in Gaza between 2007 and 2014.“Ismail Haniyeh elected new political head of Hamas,” Times of Israel, May 6, 2017, http://www.timesofisrael.com/ismail-haniyeh-elected-new-head-of-hamas/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=0dd24464cd-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_05_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-0dd24464cd-55118405. Haniyeh has long advocated a political role for Hamas, resulting in his ascension to prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in 2006 when the group joined Palestinian politics before violently assuming control over Gaza the following year. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas fired Haniyeh as prime minister in June 2007 following clashes between Hamas and Fatah forces. Haniyeh refused to accept his dismissal and instead expelled Fatah and the PA from Gaza.J Conal Urquart, Ian Black, and Mark Tran, “Hamas Takes Control of Gaza,” Guardian, June 15, 2007, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jun/15/israel4; “Abbas Sacks Hamas-Led Government,” BBC News, June 15, 2007, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6754499.stm.

Influence: On August 3, 2020, a statement by Haniyeh’s office signaled Hamas’ intent to continue to commit acts of terrorism against Israel in the long term. In September 2020, Haniyeh said that Hamas has missiles capable of striking Tel Aviv and areas beyond it from the border with Gaza.Judah Ari Gross, “IDF: 100 Hamas targets bombed in past month in response to fire-balloon attacks,” Times of Israel, September 1, 2020, https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-100-hamas-targets-bombed-in-past-month-in-response-to-fire-balloon-attacks/; “Hamas and Hezbollah leaders meet in Lebanon,” Middle East Eye, September 6, 2020, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/lebanon-palestine-hezbollah-hamas-nasrallah-haniyeh-meeting.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: Hamas and Israel have fought three wars and several smaller battles over the past 13 years. Haniyeh has close links with Hamas’s military wing and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians.“Hamas leader says group has missiles that can hit Tel Aviv,” Associated Press, September 6, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-lebanon-beirut-6141aefc027026a99668dcb0e056388e. The U.S. Department of State claims Haniyeh has been involved in terrorist attacks targeting Israelis and Americans.“Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Department of State, May 8, 2009, http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm.

No. 4: Beate Zchäpe
Member of the National Socialist Underground organization

Date of Birth: 1975Carlo Angerer, “'Nazi Bride' Beate Zschaepe breaks her silence at murder trial,” NBC News, December 9, 2015, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/nazi-bride-beate-zschaepe-breaks-her-silence-murder-trial-n476816.

Also Known As: N/A

Last Known Location: Germany

Designations: N/A

Background Information: Zschäpe, along with Uwe Mundlos and Uwe Böhnhardt, founded the National Socialist Underground (Nationalsozialistischer Untergrund or NSU)—a far-right and neo-Nazi terrorist organization in the early 1990s.“A brief history of German neo-Nazi group NSU,” Associated Press, July 10, 2018, https://apnews.com/article/c9c1d082c8f4464fb0bf7372167fc93d. Zschäpe turned herself in to authorities in 2011, following a botched robbery that led to the group’s discovery.“Beate Zschäpe given life in German neo-Nazi murder trial,” BBC News, July 11, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41242285. She went on trial in May 2013, where she was charged with the murder of 10 immigrants and membership in a terrorist organization.“Neo-Nazi murders: Beate Zschaepe charged,” BBC News, November 8, 2012, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20256219. She was sentenced to life-long imprisonment on July 11, 2018.“Beate Zschäpe given life in German neo-Nazi murder trial,” BBC News, July 11, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41242285.

Influence: The discovery in 2011 of the NSU cell, which murdered at least 10 people, mostly of Turkish origin, between 2000 and 2007, sent shockwaves through the German political system. The failure of German police and intelligence agencies to uncover the activities of the group for so long, and the scale of the group’s crimes, led to a new debate on the threat of right-wing extremism in Germany. During the investigation into the NSU’s activities, an overlap between NSU members and the far-right National Democratic Party (NPD) were uncovered. While direct links between the NSU and NPD have been hard to prove, newspapers pointed to the ideological role that the NPD had played in establishing an environment where violent right-wing extremist ideas could flourish.Andreas Fanizadeh, “Der Ober- und Untergrund,” taz.de, November 19, 2011, http://www.taz.de/!82179/.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: The NSU killed eight people of Turkish origin, one Greek man, and a German policewoman between 2000 and 2007. The NSU was also responsible for the pipe bomb explosion in Cologne on June 9, 2004, that left 22 people injured and caused considerable property damage.Marcel Fürstenau, “Neo-Nazi trial focuses on Cologne bombing,” Deutsche Welle, January 1, 2015, https://www.dw.com/en/neo-nazi-trial-focuses-on-cologne-bombing/a-18185868.

No. 5: Yusuf al-Qaradawi
Islamist theologian and unofficial chief ideologue of the Muslim Brotherhood

Date of Birth: September 9, 1926“Qaradawi: The top advocate of suicide bombings,” Al Arabiya, June 9, 2017, https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2017/06/09/The-reasons-Qaradawi-on-the-top-of-Egypt-s-most-wanted-list.

Also Known As: Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi“Based on MEMRI TV Clip Exposing Sheikh Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi's Genocidal Speech, French President Sarkozy Bans Qaradhawi from Entering France,” MEMRI, March 29, 2012, http://www.memri.org/report/en/print6227.htm.

Last Known Location: Doha, Qatar“Qaradawi: The top advocate of suicide bombings,” Al Arabiya, June 9, 2017, https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2017/06/09/The-reasons-Qaradawi-on-the-top-of-Egypt-s-most-wanted-list.

Designations:

Background Information: Qaradawi is an Islamist theologian and the unofficial chief ideologue of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Doha-based cleric—known for his extremist rhetoric and militant fatwas (religious decrees)—is one of Sunni Islam’s most influential scholars.“Al-Qaradawi turns down top Brotherhood post,” Al Jazeera, January 12, 2004, http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2004/01/2008410145045889729.html. Qaradawi’s rhetoric and fatwas have demonstrated his support for terrorism. He has urged Muslims who are unable to fight jihad to financially support the mujahedeen (holy warriors).Lamar Smith, “Terrorist Threats to the United States: Congressional Hearing,” Committee on the Judiciary House of Representatives, 27.

Influence: Qaradawi has gained eminence throughout the Muslim world by serving as the chairman of numerous Islamic organizations and operating on a variety of media platforms. He heads the Dublin-based European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR), an influential European council that issues fatwas for European Muslims in an effort to enforce a parallel legal system of sharia (Islamic law).Soeren Kern, “Europe's Fatwa Factories,” Gatestone Institute, February 3, 2011, http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/1857/europe-fatwa-factories;
“The European Council for Fatwa and Research: 24th ordinary session,” Islamireland.ie, accessed May 6, 2016, http://www.islamireland.ie/events/the-european-council-for-fatwa-and-research-twenty-fourth-ordinary-session/. Qardawi has supported suicide bombings, lauding the “martyrdom operations in which a given Muslim fighter turns himself or herself into a human bomb that casts terror in the hearts of the enemy.”Lamar Smith, “Terrorist Threats to the United States: Congressional Hearing,” Committee on the Judiciary House of Representatives, 27. In 2005, he called suicide bombings in Iraq and Israel a “duty” and wavering in support of this duty is akin to “joining the Zionists and Americans….”Antony Barnett, “Suicide bombs are a duty, says Islamic scholar,” Guardian (London), August 27, 2005, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/aug/28/uk.terrorism. However, in 2016, Qaradawi forbade all suicide bombings, declaring that the Palestinians had developed “other capabilities,” referring to rockets Hamas has fired at Israel.“Sheikh Al-Qaradhawi Retracts Fatwa Permitting Palestinian Suicide Bombings: No Need for Them Anymore,” MEMRI, November 17, 2016, https://www.memri.org/tv/sheikh-al-qaradhawi-retracts-fatwa-permitting-palestinian-suicide-bombings-no-need-them-anymore/transcript.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: On January 17, 2018, an Egyptian military court sentenced Qaradawi in absentia to life in prison on charges of incitement to murder, spreading false news, and vandalizing public property in relation to the 2015 death of an Egyptian police officer.Andolu News Agency, “Yusuf al-Qaradawi sentenced to life in prison in Egypt,” Al Jazeera, January 18, 2018, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/yusuf-al-qaradawi-sentenced-life-prison-egypt-180118065805129.html.

No. 6: Stanislav Anatolyevich Vorobyev
Founder of the Russian Imperial Movement

Date of Birth: June 2, 1960“SPECIALLY DESIGNATED NATIONALS LIST UPDATE,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 6, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20200406.

Also Known As: Vorobyov Stanislav Anatolyevich,“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 6, 2020, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200406.aspx. Stanislav Vorobev,“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 6, 2020, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200406.aspx. Stanislav Vorobyov“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 6, 2020, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200406.aspx.

Last Known Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia“SPECIALLY DESIGNATED NATIONALS LIST UPDATE,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 6, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20200406.

Designations:

Background: Vorobyev is a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the U.S. Department of State and is the founder and one of the leaders of the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization responsible for providing paramilitary-style training to neo-Nazis and white supremacists.“Designation of the Russian Imperial Movement,” U.S. Department of State, April 6, 2020, https://www.state.gov/designation-of-the-russian-imperial-movement/. Vorobyev reportedly founded RIM in 2002.Bill Gertz, “State Department targets Russian group for links to U.S. white nationalists,” Washington Times, April 6, 2020, https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/6/state-department-targets-russian-group-links-us-wh/. RIM seeks to create a “mono-ethnic state” led by a “Russian autocratic monarchy,” preferably descended from the Romanov dynasty that led Russia before the 1917 revolution.Lester Feder, Edgar Mannheimer, Jane Lytvynenko, “These Swedish Nazis Trained In Russia Before Bombing A Center For Asylum Seekers,” BuzzFeed News, July 22, 2017, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/lesterfeder/these-swedish-nazis-trained-in-russia#.jmj8rBGYv.

Influence: Although the group is not sponsored by the Russian state, RIM has allegedly recruited and trained Russian fighters for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.Humeyra Pamuk, “U.S. designates Russian ultra-nationalist group as terrorist organization,” Reuters, April 6, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-designation/u-s-designates-russian-nationalist-group-as-terrorist-organization-u-s-official-idUSKBN21O1UQ; Charlie Savage, Adam Goldman and Eric Schmitt, “U.S. Will Give Terrorist Label to White Supremacist Group for First Time,” New York Times, April 6, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/us/politics/terrorist-label-white-supremacy-Russian-Imperial-Movement.html. RIM’s training network includes two facilities in St. Petersburg, one called Partizan, which are allegedly used to train people for “global chaos” through training in woodland and urban assault, tactical weapons, and hand-to-hand combat training.“United States Designates Russian Imperial Movement and Leaders as Global Terrorists,” U.S. Department of State, April 7, 2020, https://www.state.gov/united-states-designates-russian-imperial-movement-and-leaders-as-global-terrorists/. Additionally, the RIM has supported the efforts of neo-Nazi organizations in Scandinavia.“U.S. Will Give Terrorist Label to White Supremacist Group for First Time,” New York Times, April 6, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/us/politics/terrorist-label-white-supremacy-Russian-Imperial-Movement.html.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: The influence of RIM has been linked to attacks and murders in Europe and the United States in recent years. In late 2016 and early 2017, three members of the extreme right-wing Nordic Resistance Movement carried out a series of bombings in Sweden. Two of the perpetrators, Viktor Melin and Anton Thulin, had previously attended Partizan and Swedish officials believe it aided in their radicalization.J. Lester Feder, Edgar Mannheimer, Jane Lytvynenko, “These Swedish Nazis Trained In Russia Before Bombing A Center For Asylum Seekers,” BuzzFeed News, July 22, 2017, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/lesterfeder/these-swedish-nazis-trained-in-russia#.jmj8rBGYv.

No. 7: Ashin Wirathu
Communal Leader of the anti-Muslim Movement in Myanmar

Date of Birth: July 10, 1968Shehab Sumon, “Ashin Wirathu: The Buddhist bin Laden,” Arab News, August 21, 2019, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1532846/world.

Also Known As: Win Khaing Oo,James Hookway, “Buddhist Leader Spreads Hatred of Muslims in Myanmar,” Wall Street Journal, October 12, 2017, https://www.wsj.com/articles/buddhist-leader-spreads-hatred-of-muslims-in-myanmar-1507806002. “Buddhist bin Laden”Shehab Sumon, “Ashin Wirathu: The Buddhist bin Laden,” Arab News, August 21, 2019, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1532846/world.

Last Known Location: Masoyein Monastery, Mandalay (surrendered himself to the police on November 2, 2020)“Firebrand monk surrenders to police days before Myanmar vote,” Associated Press, November 2, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/religion-aung-san-suu-kyi-myanmar-general-elections-elections-a9adb2d37db978fafac4d4ad8aad8d73.

Designations: N/A

Background: Wirathu, the leader of the anti-Muslim Buddhist group, the “969 movement,” has regularly called on Myanmar’s Buddhists to boycott Muslim businesses, and has warned that Myanmar’s Muslims want to “take over our country and make it an evil Islamic nation.” Wirathu previously served a nearly decade-long prison sentence for fomenting religious conflict, though he was released in 2012. Wirathu’s extremist and conspiratorial messaging is sold on DVDs and CDs throughout Myanmar.“What is 969 Movement?,” 969 Movement, https://969movement.org/what-is-969-movement/; Patrick Winn, “Myanmar’s '969' crusade breeds anti-Muslim malice,” The World, March 27, 2013, https://www.pri.org/stories/2013-03-27/myanmar-s-969-crusade-breeds-anti-muslim-malice; Alex Bookbinder, “969: The Strange Numerological Basis for Burma's Religious Violence,” Atlantic, April 9, 2013, https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/04/969-the-strange-numerological-basis-for-burmas-religious-violence/274816/; Andrew R. C. Marshall, “Special Report: Myanmar gives official blessing to anti-Muslim monks,” Reuters, June 26, 2013, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-969-specialreport-idUSBRE95Q04720130627.

Influence: Wirathu has been described as the Burmese Bin Laden and Time magazine said that he was “The Face of Buddhist Terror” in July 2013. He has been active on YouTube and other forms of social media. Facebook banned his page on the charge of spreading religious hatred in January 2018.Laignee Barron, “Nationalist Monk Known as the 'Burmese bin Laden' Has Been Stopped From Spreading Hate on Facebook,” Time, February 28, 2018, https://time.com/5178790/facebook-removes-wirathu/.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: Wirathu is not directly responsible for any deaths but is linked to the 2012 riots which erupted in Meiktila, a city in central Myanmar, leaving a mosque burned to the ground and over 100 dead.Marella Oppenheim, “‘It only takes one terrorist’: the Buddhist monk who reviles Myanmar’s Muslims,” Guardian, May 12, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/may/12/only-takes-one-terrorist-buddhist-monk-reviles-myanmar-muslims-rohingya-refugees-ashin-wirathu.

No. 8: Jehad Serwan Mostafa
Highest-ranking U.S. citizen fighting oversees with al-Shabaab

Date of Birth: December 28, 1981Wanted Information that brings to justice…Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” Rewards for Justice, https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/jehad_mostafa.html.

Also Known As: Ahmed Gurey,“Information that brings to justice Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” Rewards for Justice, accessed February 23, 2015, http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/jehad_mostafa.html. “Emir Anwar”,“Information that brings to justice Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” Rewards for Justice, accessed February 23, 2015, http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/jehad_mostafa.html. Anwar Al-Amriki,“Information that brings to justice Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” Rewards for Justice, accessed February 23, 2015, http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/jehad_mostafa.html. Abu Abdullah al-Muhajir,“Information that brings to justice Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” Rewards for Justice, accessed February 23, 2015, http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/jehad_mostafa.html. “Ahmed” (moniker),“Information that brings to justice Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” Rewards for Justice, accessed February 23, 2015, http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/jehad_mostafa.html. “Anwar” (moniker),“Information that brings to justice Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” Rewards for Justice, accessed February 23, 2015, http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/jehad_mostafa.html. Abu Anwar al-Muhajir“Indictment Unsealed Charging Former San Diego Resident Jehad Serwan Mostafa with Providing Material Support to Militant Islamic Terrorist Organization Al-Shabaab,” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California, December 2, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/indictment-unsealed-charging-former-san-diego-resident-jehad-serwan-mostafa-providing.

Last Known Location: Somalia“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.

Designations:

Background: Mostafa is believed to be the highest-ranking U.S. citizen fighting overseas with a foreign terrorist group.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/. 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.“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. Since 2012, al-Shabaab has formally been in alliance with al-Qaeda.Wanted Information that brings to justice…Jehad Serwan Mostafa,” Rewards for Justice, https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/jehad_mostafa.html.

Influence: 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,” 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. 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 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.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: Mostafa has been linked to the use and development of explosives for terrorist attacks in Somalia. Following the group’s pledge of allegiance to al-Qaeda in 2012, al-Shabaab began executing a score of violent attacks in Somalia’s neighboring countries, including the September 2013 Westgate Mall attacks in Nairobi, Kenya, which left 68 people dead and 175 wounded. The group is also responsible for the April 2015 Garissa University attacks, wherein five al-Shabaab fighters stormed the Kenyan university, killing nearly 150 people. Since then, the group has continued to attempt and conduct terrorist attacks outside of its stronghold in Somalia.Jason Burke, “Mogadishu truck bomb: 500 casualties in Somalia’s worst terrorist attack,” Guardian (London), October 16, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/15/truck-bomb-mogadishu-kills-people-somalia; Jason Burke, “Mogadishu bombing: al-Shabaab behind deadly blast, officials say,” Guardian (London), October 16, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/16/mogadishu-bombing-al-shabaab-behind-deadly-blast-officials-say.

No. 9: Martin Sellner
Leader of Generation Identity’s Austrian chapter, leader of Defend Europe

Date of Birth: 1989Simon Cox and Anna Meisel, “Martin Sellner: The New Face of the Far Right in Europe,” BBC News, September 20, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-45572411.

Also Known As: N/A

Last Known Location: Austria“Austrian far-right activist Martin Sellner's YouTube account 'terminated',” Deutsche Welle, July 14, 2020, https://www.dw.com/en/austrian-far-right-activist-martin-sellners-youtube-account-terminated/a-54172798.

Designations:

Background: Sellner is an Austrian ethno-nationalist and leader of the Identitären Bewegung (Identitarian Movement), also referred to as Generation Identity (GI), one of Europe’s fastest growing and most prominent far-right groups.Julia Ebner, “Who Are Europe's Far-right Identitarians?,” POLITICO, April 05, 2019, https://www.politico.eu/article/who-are-europe-far-right-identitarians-austria-generation-identity-martin-sellner/. GI is a pan-European youth movement that originated in France in 2012 as the youth wing of France’s Les Identitaires movement.“French far-right group storms site of new mosque,” France24, October 21, 2012, http://www.france24.com/en/20121020-france-french-far-right-group-hold-sit-protest-against-new-mosque-islam-generation-identity; Haydn Rippon, “Occupy le mosque: France's new radical nativism,” The Conversation, November 5, 2012, https://theconversation.com/occupy-le-mosque-frances-new-radical-nativism-10368. GI has since spread to five other regions in Europe. Its newest branch claims to span the United Kingdom and Ireland, which the group claims are “inflicted by extreme multiculturalism.”Generation Identity United Kingdom and Ireland homepage, accessed March 5, 2018, https://www.generation-identity.org.uk/ (site discontinued); “Meet the IB, Europe's version of America's alt-right,” Economist, November 12, 2016, https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21709986-france-austria-identitarian-movement-gives-xenophobia-youthful-edge-meet-ib. GI believes that white Europeans are falling victim to “the Great Replacement”—“the process by which the indigenous European population is replaced by non-European migrants.”“Frequently Asked Question,” Generation Identity United Kingdom and Ireland, accessed March 8, 2018, https://www.generation-identity.org.uk/faqs/. GI seeks to stop what it views as the Islamization of Europe, stop globalization, and reverse the “Great Replacement.”Generation Identity United Kingdom and Ireland homepage, accessed March 5, 2018, https://www.generation-identity.org.uk/ (site discontinued).

Influence: Considered the European far-right’s “poster boy,” Sellner has utilized social media to actively disseminate his agenda while gaining a hefty following of millennials in both Europe and the United States.Simon Cox and Anna Meisel, “Martin Sellner: The New Face of the Far Right in Europe,” BBC News, September 20, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-45572411. Before being suspended, his social media accounts acquired a mass following—his YouTube channel alone boasted over 93,000 followers,“Generation Identity,” YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ8uFo1RKSgEg-od3Yu10Pw/about. (Suspended) with his Twitter“Martin Sellner,” Twitter, https://twitter.com/Martin_Sellner?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor. (Suspended) and Facebook“Martin Sellner,” Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/martin.sellner.71. (Suspended) profile featuring 31,000 and 10,000 followers respectively. In July 2020, YouTube confirmed that Sellner’s channels were terminated in line with YouTube’s hate speech policies. He is considered particularly dangerous because of his reach, determination to radicalize and recruit a young generation of identitarians.“Austrian far-right activist Martin Sellner's YouTube account 'terminated',” Deutsche Welle, July 14, 2020, https://www.dw.com/en/austrian-far-right-activist-martin-sellners-youtube-account-terminated/a-54172798.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: Sellner has professed the GI’s dedication to non-violence,Atika Shubert, “Hipster or hatemonger? The trendy young face of Austria's far-right,” CNN, December 2, 2016, https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/02/europe/austria-alt-right-identity-movement-martin-sellner/. but GI has created militaristic training camps across Europe that feature combat training as well as anti-Islamic and anti-immigrant speakers.Christina Maza, “White Supremacists Now Have Their Own Anti-Islam Military Camps,” Newsweek, November 9, 2017, http://www.newsweek.com/far-right-white-supremacists-islam-military-camps-europe-training-706578.

No. 10: Ahmad al-Hamidawi
Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah

Date of Birth: March 25, 1974“SPECIALLY DESIGNATED NATIONALS LIST UPDATE,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20200226_44.

Also Known As: Ahmad Muhsin Faraj al-Hamidawi,“Counter Terrorism Designation,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200226_44.aspx?src=ilaw. Ahmed Kadhim Raheem al-Saedi,“Counter Terrorism Designation,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200226_44.aspx?src=ilaw. Ahmad Kazim Rahim al-Sa’idi,“Counter Terrorism Designation,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200226_44.aspx?src=ilaw. Abu Husayn“Counter Terrorism Designation,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200226_44.aspx?src=ilaw.

Last Known Location: Iraq“SPECIALLY DESIGNATED NATIONALS LIST UPDATE,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20200226_44.

Designations:

Background: Hamidawi is the secretary-general of Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH). Hamidawi reportedly joined KH in 2007, shortly after the group’s founding.Dilshad Al-Dalawi, “بعد إدراجه بقوائم الإرهاب.. "الحميداوي" سجل حافل بالجرائم في العراق,” al-Ain, February 28, 2020, https://al-ain.com/article/terrorism-al-hamidawi-iraq. He received political, military, and intelligence training from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and was soon promoted to the KH’s Shura Council.Dilshad Al-Dalawi, “بعد إدراجه بقوائم الإرهاب.. "الحميداوي" سجل حافل بالجرائم في العراق,” al-Ain, February 28, 2020, https://al-ain.com/article/terrorism-al-hamidawi-iraq. As a commander within KH, Hamidawi played a central role in planning attacks against American and Iraqi government security forces between 2007 and 2011.Dilshad Al-Dalawi, “بعد إدراجه بقوائم الإرهاب.. "الحميداوي" سجل حافل بالجرائم في العراق,” al-Ain, February 28, 2020, https://al-ain.com/article/terrorism-al-hamidawi-iraq.

Influence: The U.S. State Department has said that Hamidawi has committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism. KH is an Iranian-sponsored, anti-American Shiite militia operating in Iraq with ancillary operations throughout Syria.Farnaz Fassihi, Jay Solomon, and Sam Dagher, “Iranians Dial Up Presence in Syria,” Wall Street Journal, September 16, 2013, http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323864604579067382861808984; Ned Parker and Raheem Salman, “In defense of Baghdad, Iraq turns to Shi'ite militias,” Reuters, June 14, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/14/us-iraq-security-volunteers-idUSKBN0EP0O920140614; Associated Press, “Assad relies on foreign fighters in push to retake Aleppo,” Fox News, December 10, 2016, http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/12/10/assad-relies-on-foreign-fighters-in-push-to-retake-aleppo.html. During the Iraq War, which began in 2003, the group planted deadly roadside bombs and used improvised rocket-assisted mortars to attack U.S. and coalition forces.“Treasury Designates Individual, Entity Posing Threat to Stability in Iraq,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 2, 2009, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg195.aspx; Terrorist Groups in Syria: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade of the Committee on Foreign Affairs House of Representatives, 113th Cong. 17-24 (2013) (statement of Phillip Smyth, Middle East research analyst, University of Maryland), http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-113hhrg85643/pdf/CHRG-113hhrg85643.pdf.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: According to U.S. diplomat Ali Khedery, KH is responsible for “some of the most lethal attacks against U.S. and coalition forces throughout the [U.S.-led war in Iraq].”Ali Khedery, “Iran’s Shiite Militias Are Running Amok in Iraq,” Foreign Policy, February 19, 2015,http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/02/19/irans-shiite-militias-are-running-amok-in-iraq/. In October 2019, KH was reportedly involved in sniper attacks on peaceful protesters in Baghdad, which killed more than 100 people and injured an additional 6,000.“Exclusive: Iran-backed militias deployed snipers in Iraq protests – sources,” Reuters, October 17, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-protests-iran-snipers-exclusive/exclusive-iran-backed-militias-deployed-snipers-in-iraq-protests-sources-idUSKBN1WW0B1. In January 2020, KH led protests at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and is likely responsible for the murder of counterterrorism expert Husham al-Hashimi.Michael Knights, “Back into the Shadows? The Future of Kata’ib Hezbollah and Iran’s Other Proxies in Iraq,” Combating Terrorism Center, October 2020, https://www.ctc.usma.edu/back-into-the-shadows-the-future-of-kataib-hezbollah-and-irans-other-proxies-in-iraq/.

No. 11: Adel Abdel Bary
Al-Qaeda spokesman

Date of Birth: 1960“Three Alleged International Terrorists Extradited from Great Britain,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, October 6, 2012, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/newyork/press-releases/2012/three-alleged-international-terrorists-extradited-from-great-britain.

Also Known As: Adel Mohammed Abdul Almagid Abdel Bary,“International Terrorism Defendant Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 19, 2014, https://www.justice.gov/nsd/pr/international-terrorism-defendant-pleads-guilty-manhattan-federal-court. Abbas,“International Terrorism Defendant Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 19, 2014, https://www.justice.gov/nsd/pr/international-terrorism-defendant-pleads-guilty-manhattan-federal-court. Abu Dia,“International Terrorism Defendant Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 19, 2014, https://www.justice.gov/nsd/pr/international-terrorism-defendant-pleads-guilty-manhattan-federal-court. Adel“International Terrorism Defendant Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 19, 2014, https://www.justice.gov/nsd/pr/international-terrorism-defendant-pleads-guilty-manhattan-federal-court.

Last Known Location: United Kingdom“Osama Bin Laden’s spokesman back in UK after release from US jail,” Arab News, December 12, 2020, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1775956/world.

Designations: N/A

Background: Bary was al-Qaeda’s Europe-based propagandist in 1998. In 1999, Scotland Yard detectives arrested Bary as the co-conspirator of two bombing attacks on U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam. The attacks killed at least 200 people and injured thousands of others. In 2012, Bary was extradited to the United States where he admitted to helping plan the bombings. On December 11, 2020, Bary was deported back to the United Kingdom where MI5 and counterterrorism police are reviewing his return and resettlement.Dominic Casciani, “Osama Bin Laden's 'spokesman' Adel Abdul Bary returns to UK,” BBC News, December 11, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-55275997.

Influence: Bary’s role as co-conspirator of the east Africa embassy bombings catapulted al-Qaeda as an international threat. Al-Qaeda has played a role in innumerable terrorist attacks, and is most notoriously responsible for the multiple attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. The 9/11 terror attacks—the deadliest ever on American soil—left nearly 3,000 people dead and provoked the United States to wage war against al-Qaeda in the group’s home bases in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other sanctuaries worldwide. Since then, the group has established five major regional affiliates pledging their official allegiance to al-Qaeda: in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, East Africa, Syria, and the Indian subcontinent.“Special Issue: The Al-Qa’ida Threat 14 Years Later,” Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, September 2015, https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=787133; Eric Schmitt, “ISIS or Al Qaeda? American Officials Split Over Top Terrorist Threat,” New York Times, August 4, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/world/middleeast/isis-or-al-qaeda-american-officials-split-over-biggest-threat.html?_r=0.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: Bary as the co-conspirator of two bombing attacks on U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam. The attacks killed at least 200 people and injured thousands of others.“East African Embassy Bombings,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/east-african-embassy-bombings.

No. 12: Ahmed Umar Abu Ubaidah
Leader of Al-Shabaab

Date of Birth: 1972“Security Council 751 and 1907 Committee on Somalia and Eritrea Adds Ahmed Diriye to 1844 Sanctions List,” United Nations, https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11579.doc.htm.

Also Known As: Abu Diriye,“Security Council 751 and 1907 Committee on Somalia and Eritrea Adds Ahmed Diriye to 1844 Sanctions List,” U.N. Security Council, September 24, 2014, http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11579.doc.htm. Abu Ubaidah,“Security Council 751 and 1907 Committee on Somalia and Eritrea Adds Ahmed Diriye to 1844 Sanctions List,” U.N. Security Council, September 24, 2014, http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11579.doc.htm. Abu Ubeydah,“Security Council 751 and 1907 Committee on Somalia and Eritrea Adds Ahmed Diriye to 1844 Sanctions List,” U.N. Security Council, September 24, 2014, http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11579.doc.htm. Ahmad Umar,“Transnational Criminal Organizations Designations; Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 21, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20150421.aspx. Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah,“Transnational Criminal Organizations Designations; Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 21, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20150421.aspx. Ahmed Diriye,“Security Council 751 and 1907 Committee on Somalia and Eritrea Adds Ahmed Diriye to 1844 Sanctions List,” U.N. Security Council, September 24, 2014, http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11579.doc.htm. Ahmed Omar Abu Ubaidah,“Transnational Criminal Organizations Designations; Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 21, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20150421.aspx. Mahad Diriye,“Transnational Criminal Organizations Designations; Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 21, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20150421.aspx. Sheikh Ahmed Umar,“Transnational Criminal Organizations Designations; Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 21, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20150421.aspx. Sheikh Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah,“Transnational Criminal Organizations Designations; Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 21, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20150421.aspx. Sheikh Ahmed Umar Abu Ubaidah,“Transnational Criminal Organizations Designations; Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 21, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20150421.aspx. Sheikh Mahad Omar Abdikarim,“Security Council 751 and 1907 Committee on Somalia and Eritrea Adds Ahmed Diriye to 1844 Sanctions List,” U.N. Security Council, September 24, 2014, http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11579.doc.htm. Sheikh Omar Abu Ubaidaha“Security Council 751 and 1907 Committee on Somalia and Eritrea Adds Ahmed Diriye to 1844 Sanctions List,” U.N. Security Council, September 24, 2014, http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11579.doc.htm.

Last Known Location: Somalia“Security Council 751 and 1907 Committee on Somalia and Eritrea Adds Ahmed Diriye to 1844 Sanctions List,” United Nations, https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11579.doc.htm.

Designations:

  • In October 2014, the European Union announced that Ahmed Umar Abu Ubaidah was added to the list of persons subject to restrictive measures.“COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION 2014/729/CFSP,” Access to European Union Law, October 20, 2014, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32014D0729.
  • The U.N. Security Council Committee added Ahmed Diriye to its list of individuals and entities subject to travel ban, asset freeze, and targeted arms embargo on September 24, 2014.“Security Council 751 and 1907 Committee on Somalia and Eritrea Adds Ahmed Diriye to 1844 Sanctions List,” U.N. Security Council, September 24, 2014, http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11579.doc.htm.
  • The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Ahmed Diriye as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on April 21, 2015.“Transnational Criminal Organizations Designations; Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 21, 2015, https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20150421.aspx.

Background: Abu Ubaidah is the current emir of Somali terror group al-Shabaab.“Security Council 751 and 1907 Committee on Somalia and Eritrea Adds Ahmed Diriye to 1844 Sanctions List,” U.N. Security Council, September 24, 2014, http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11579.doc.htm. Abu Ubaidah is a longtime senior member of al-Shabaab and supposedly served as former al-Shabaab emir, Ahmed Godane’s deputy. Some sources believe that Abu Ubaidah was a member of the Amniyat, the most feared division of al-Shabaab.Jamie Dettmer, “Ahmed Abdi Godane Is Al-Shabab's Osama Bin Laden,” Daily Beast, September 5, 2014, http://www.thedailybeast.com/ahmed-abdi-godane-is-al-shababs-osama-bin-laden;
Frank Chothia, “Ahmed Abdi Godane: Somalia’s killed al-Shabab leader,” BBC News, September 9, 2014, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29034409. The Amniyat is made up of specially trained members who carry out high-level missions such as assassinations and are responsible for exposing rivals and informants within the wider group.Ludovica Iaccino, “Who is Sheikh Ahmed Umar, Al-Shabaab’s Ruthless New Leader?,” International Business Times, September 8, 2014, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/who-sheikh-ahmed-umar-al-shabaabs-ruthless-new-leader-1464553. In November 2019, Abu Ubaidah appeared in a video naming the United States as the group’s primary target and demanded supporters attack Americans wherever they could.Harun Maruf, “Al-Shabab Chief Partially Seen on Video for First Time,” Voice of America, November 5, 2019, https://www.voanews.com/africa/al-shabab-chief-partially-seen-video-first-time.

Influence: As al-Shabaab’s emir, Abu Ubaidah exercises responsibility for al-Shabaab’s operations and is directly responsible for Al-Shabaab’s activities which continue to threaten the peace, security and stability of Somalia. He is believed to hold the view that al-Shabaab is more than a Somali nationalist movement and instead is one front in al-Qaeda’s global jihad.“Wanted Information that brings to justice…Abu Ubaidah (Direye),” Rewards for Justice, https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/abu_ubaidah.html. Al-Shabaab continues to pose a serious threat to Somalia and neighboring countries, with some experts believing the Somali government will collapse if the African Union peacekeeping mission is ended.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: Under al-Shabaab’s strict brand of sharia, stonings, amputations, and beheadings are regular punishment for criminals and apostates. The group violently persecutes non-Muslims and clashes frequently with humanitarian and international aid workers.Jonathan Masters and Mohammed Aly Sergie, “Al-Shabab,” Council on Foreign Relations, March 13, 2015, http://www.cfr.org/somalia/al-shabab/p18650. Following the group’s pledge of allegiance to al-Qaeda in 2012, al-Shabaab began executing a score of violent attacks in Somalia’s neighboring countries, including the September 2013 Westgate Mall attacks in Nairobi, Kenya, which left 68 people dead and 175 wounded. The group is also responsible for the April 2015 Garissa University attacks, wherein five al-Shabaab fighters stormed the Kenyan university, killing nearly 150 people. Since then, the group has continued to attempt and conduct terrorist attacks outside of its stronghold in Somalia. Al-Shabaab reportedly killed more than 4,200 people in 2016, making it the deadliest Islamic terror group in Africa. In October 2017, al-Shabaab was credited with the worst terror attack in Somalia to date––a truck bomb that killed over 300 people in Mogadishu.Jason Burke, “Mogadishu truck bomb: 500 casualties in Somalia’s worst terrorist attack,” Guardian (London), October 16, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/15/truck-bomb-mogadishu-kills-people-somalia; Jason Burke, “Mogadishu bombing: al-Shabaab behind deadly blast, officials say,” Guardian (London), October 16, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/16/mogadishu-bombing-al-shabaab-behind-deadly-blast-officials-say.

No. 13: Anjem Choudary
British Islamist cleric

Date of Birth: January 18, 1967“Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds One Entry to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, October 15, 2018, https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sc13539.doc.htm.

Also Known As: Abu Luqman“State Department Terrorist Designations of El Shafee Elsheikh, Anjem Choudary, Sami Bouras, Shane Dominic Crawford, and Mark John Taylor,” U.S. Department of State, March 30, 2017, https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/03/269306.htm.

Last Known Location: London, United KingdomCeylin Yeginsu, “One of U.K.’s Most Prolific Extremist Cells Is Regrouping,” New York Times, May 18, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/18/world/europe/uk-extremist-cell-anjem-choudary.html

Designations:

  • The U.S. Department of State designated Anjem Choudary as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on March 30, 2017.“State Department Terrorist Designations of El Shafee Elsheikh, Anjem Choudary, Sami Bouras, Shane Dominic Crawford, and Mark John Taylor,” U.S. Department of State, March 30, 2017, https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/03/269306.htm.
  • The United Kingdom added Anjem Choudary to its Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets on October 16, 2018.“Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK,” Gov.UK, last updated October 17, 2018, http://hmt-sanctions.s3.amazonaws.com/sanctionsconlist.htm.
  • The ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee of the U.N. Security Council designated Anjem Choudary as an associate of ISIL on October 15, 2018.“SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO RESOLUTIONS 1267 (1999) 1989 (2011) AND 2253 (2015) CONCERNING ISIL (DA'ESH) AL-QAIDA AND ASSOCIATED INDIVIDUALS GROUPS UNDERTAKINGS AND ENTITIES,” U.N. Security Council, accessed October 18, 2018, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/anjem-choudary.

Background: British citizen Anjem Choudary is an internationally designated Islamist cleric and convicted ISIS supporter. Choudary and Bakri Mohammed founded al-Muhajiroun in 1996 after Bakri Mohammed was expelled from the international Islamist network Hizb ut-Tahrir.Robert Mendick, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary to be freed from jail despite remaining ‘genuinely dangerous,’” Telegraph (London), September 11, 2018, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/11/notorious-hate-preacher-anjem-choudary-released-prison-despite/; Richard Watson, “Has al-Muhajiroun been underestimated?” BBC News, June 27, 2017, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40355491. Choudary and al-Muhajiroun have been linked to several notable extremists, and the group openly praised the 9/11 attacks.Andrew Anthony, “Anjem Choudary: the British extremist who backs the caliphate,” Guardian (London), September 6, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/07/anjem-choudary-islamic-state-isis.

Influence: Between 1999 and 2016, Choudary and al-Muhajiroun were reportedly linked to almost one-quarter of the terror plots in the United Kingdom.Fiona Hamilton, “Cleric’s network of hate inspired Isis plots at home and overseas,” The Times (London), August 17, 2016, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cleric-s-network-of-hate-inspired-isis-plots-at-home-and-overseas-gz5hc7fqz. Authorities have noted Choudary’s influence in the failed 2004 fertilizer bomb plot, a failed 2012 plot to blow up a Territorial Army base with an explosives-filled toy car, and the 2017 London Bridge attack, among other plots. British police have identified at least 600 members of al-Muhajiroun who have been linked to terrorism. Nonetheless, a June 2019 report in British media revealed that none of these individuals were actually prosecuted for membership in al-Muhajiroun.Lizzie Dearden, “Police admit failing to prosecute Islamists for membership of UK’s ‘most dangerous extremist group,’” Independent (London), June 28, 2019, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-terror-attacks-prosecutions-anjem-choudary-alm-police-bombings-a8968956.html. Choudary is also reportedly linked to some 300 individuals who have traveled to Syria to become foreign fighters for ISIS.Mark White, “London Bridge attackers were part of banned jihadi network,” Sky News, June 6, 2017, https://news.sky.com/story/london-bridge-attacker-khuram-butt-was-part-of-banned-jihadi-network-10906091.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: Choudary is believed to have influenced al-Muhajiroun members Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who in 2013 beheaded British soldier Fusilier Lee Rigby in southeast London.Chris Greenwood, Neil Sears, and Sian Boyle, “Muslim firebrand is arrested as police hold nine rabble-rousers,” Daily Mail (London), September 25, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2769098/BREAKING-NEWS-Nine-men-arrested-counter-terror-police-London-suspicion-encouraging-terrorism.html. Choudary also reportedly radicalized Abdul Latheef Mohamed Jameel, one of the nine suicide bombers who blew himself up in Sri Lanka on April 21, 2019, killing more than 250 people during the Easter Sunday attacks.Anbarasan Ethirajan, “Sri Lanka attacks: The family networks behind the bombings,” BBC News, May 11, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48218907; Alasdair Pal and Shihar Aneez, “The Western-educated bomber who botched Sri Lanka hotel attack,” Reuters, April 26, 2019, https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN1S21PM.

No. 14: Mahathir Mohamad
Former Malaysian prime minister

Date of Birth: July 10, 1925“Mahathir Mohamad Fast Facts,” CNN, December 3, 2020, https://www.cnn.com/2012/12/30/world/asia/mahathir-bin-mohamad---fast-facts/index.html.

Also Known As: N/A

Last Known Location: Malaysia“Mahathir Mohamad Fast Facts,” CNN, December 3, 2020, https://www.cnn.com/2012/12/30/world/asia/mahathir-bin-mohamad---fast-facts/index.html.

Designations: N/A

Background Information: Mahathir Mohamad is the former prime minister of Malaysia, serving two separate terms. A controversial figure, Mahathir often criticized the West, LGBT people, and Jewish people. In 2019, Mahathir said that extremism would spread across Southeast Asia as governments fail to stem the tide of militants flocking to the region.Raul Dancel, “Mahathir: Extremism will spread across South-east Asia, get worse in the future,” The Straits Times, March 7, 2019, https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-extremism-will-spread-get-worse-in-the-future. In October 2020, he came under fire for comments he made regarding a terrorist attack in Nice, France, claiming “Muslims have a right to be angry and kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past.”“Muslims have ‘right to punish’ French, says Malaysia’s Mahathir,” Al Jazeera, October 29, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/29/muslims-have-right-to-punish-french-says-malaysias-mahathir.

Influence: Mahathir is a respected leader in the Muslim world. He is a strident critic of Israel and has been accused of being anti-Semitic.“In shakeup, virulently anti-Semitic Malaysian PM submits resignation,” Agence France-Presse, February 24, 2020, https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-shakeup-virulently-anti-semitic-malaysian-pm-submits-resignation/. Additionally, Mahathir has supported ambitions for carving out a self-administered region for Muslims in Mindanao, Philippines, an area plagued by extremist violence and a secessionist war.Raul Dancel, “Mahathir: Extremism will spread across South-east Asia, get worse in the future,” The Straits Times, March 7, 2019, https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-extremism-will-spread-get-worse-in-the-future.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: Mahathir is not directly responsible for specific acts of violence. However, his controversial opinions have led to international condemnation as it was alleged Mahathir supported extremist violence against the West.“Muslims have ‘right to punish’ French, says Malaysia’s Mahathir,” Al Jazeera, October 29, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/29/muslims-have-right-to-punish-french-says-malaysias-mahathir.

No. 15: Mullah Fateh Krekar
Iraqi-Kurdish jihadist preacher

Date of Birth: July 7, 1956“Treasury Designations Target Terrorist Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 7, 2006, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/hp191.aspx.

Also Known As: Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad,“Treasury Designations Target Terrorist Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 7, 2006, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/hp191.aspx. Fateh Najm Eddine Farraj,“Treasury Designations Target Terrorist Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 7, 2006, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/hp191.aspx. Farraj Ahmad Najmuddin“Treasury Designations Target Terrorist Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 7, 2006, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/hp191.aspx.

Last Known Location: Italy“Norway extradites jihadist preacher Mullah Krekar to Italy,” BBC News, March 26, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52054602.

Designations:

  • The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Mullah Fateh Krekar as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on December 7, 2006.“Treasury Designations Target Terrorist Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 7, 2006, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/hp191.aspx.
  • The ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee of the U.N. Security Council designated Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad on December 7, 2006.“SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ADDS TWO INDIVIDUALS TO AL-QAIDA SECTION OF CONSOLIDATED LIST,” United Nations, December 7, 2006, https://www.un.org/press/en/2006/sc8893.doc.htm.

Background: Krekar is a Sunni Iraqi Kurdish jihadist preacher and militant who traveled to Norway as a refugee from Iraqi Kurdistan in 1991. He is the founder of the now defunct Islamist group Ansar al-Islam. On March 26, 2020 he was confirmed by Norwegian authorities to have been extradited to Italy where he was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for leading a jihadist network.“Norway extradite jihadist preacher to Italy despite COVID-19 concerns,” Euronews, March 27, 2020, https://www.euronews.com/2020/03/27/norway-extradite-jihadist-preacher-to-italy-despite-covid-19-concerns; “Norway extradites jihadist preacher Mullah Krekar to Italy,” BBC News, March 26, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52054602.

Influence: On July 18, 2019, an Italian court sentenced Krekar to 12 years in prison for leading the now defunct jihadist group, Rawti Shax network. The extremist Kurdish movement allegedly had links to ISIS and intended to carry out attacks in Western countries. In 2015, European authorities, including Italian authorities, arrested 16 Iraqi-Kurdish nationals involved with the Rawti Shax network for attempting to recruit foreign terrorist fighters to be sent to Iraq and Syria. The recruiters also provided the foreign terrorist fighters with logistical and financial support.“Norway extradite jihadist preacher to Italy despite COVID-19 concerns,” Euronews, March 27, 2020, https://www.euronews.com/2020/03/27/norway-extradite-jihadist-preacher-to-italy-despite-covid-19-concerns; “Norway extradites jihadist preacher Mullah Krekar to Italy,” BBC News, March 26, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52054602; “Norway to extradite Islamist preacher to Italy,” Agence France-Presse, February 12, 2020, https://www.thelocal.com/20200212/norway-to-extradite-islamist-preacher-to-italy; “Norway holds Muslim cleric for 4 weeks after Italy trial,” Associated Press, July 18, 2019, https://news.yahoo.com/norway-holds-muslim-cleric-4-080421468.html.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: Krekar was charged and sentenced to five years in a Norwegian prison for issuing death threats against former government ministers.“Mullah Krekar gets five years for death threats,” Agence France-Presse, March 26, 2012, https://www.thelocal.no/20120326/mullah-krekar-gets-five-years-for-death-threats-

No. 16: Rinaldo Nazzaro
Russia-based leader of The Base white supremacist network

Date of Birth: 1973Daniel De Simone, Andrei Soshnikov and Ali Winston, “Neo-Nazi Rinaldo Nazzaro running US militant group The Base from Russia,” BBC News, January 24, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51236915.

Also Known As: “Norman Spear”, “Roman Wolf”Ryan Thorpe, “Homegrown hate,” Winnipeg Free Press, August 16, 2019,https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/homegrown-hate-547510902.html; Ben Makuch and Mack Lamoureux, “Neo-Nazis Are Organizing Secretive Paramilitary Training Across America,” Vice News, November 20, 2018, https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/a3mexp/neo-nazis-are-organizing-secretive-paramilitary-training-across-america.

Last Known Location: RussiaDaniel De Simone, Andrei Soshnikov and Ali Winston, “Neo-Nazi Rinaldo Nazzaro running US militant group The Base from Russia,” BBC News, January 24, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51236915.

Designations:

Background: Nazzaro launched The Base in June 2018. The Base is a neo-Nazi, white-supremacist network that describes itself as an “international survivalist and self-defense network” that seeks to train their members for fighting a race war."What is The Base?" Internet Archive video, 2:21, uploaded by "The Base" on September 21, 2019. The Base is influenced by the race war called for in the book Siege by neo-Nazi James Mason. The Base is an accelerationist group that encourages anarchy on the onset so it can then “impose order from chaos.”"What is The Base?" Internet Archive video, 2:21, uploaded by "The Base" on September 21, 2019; Ryan Thorpe, "Homegrown hate" Winnipeg Free Press, August 16, 2019, https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/homegrown-hate-547510902.html.

Influence: The Base has described itself as a “white protection league” and has organized training camps around North America for their members in weaponry and military tactics.Jeremy Roebuck, “South Jersey man accused in synagogue vandalisms, revealing dark network of neo-Nazi organizing online,” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 15, 2019, https://www.inquirer.com/news/richard-tobin-synagogue-vandalism-the-base-white-supremacist-racine-wisconsin-hancock-michigan-20191115.html; Ryan Thorpe, “Homegrown hate,” Winnipeg Free Press, August 16, 2019,https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/homegrown-hate-547510902.html. The network is active in North America, Europe, South Africa, and Australia.“What is The Base?” Internet Archive video, 2:21, uploaded by “The Base” on September 21, 2019; Ryan Thorpe, "Homegrown hate" Winnipeg Free Press, August 16, 2019, https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/homegrown-hate-547510902.html. In January 2020, federal authorities arrested three men suspected of membership in The Base who were allegedly plotting to murder a couple, supposedly affiliated with the far-left antifa movement, in Bartow County, Georgia.Doug Walker, “Judge: Case against men accused in white supremacist plot to go forward,” Rome News-Tribune, May 29, 2020, https://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/news/local/judge-case-against-men-accused-in-white-supremacist-plot-to-go-forward/article_42700ffc-a1e5-11ea-a35a-9367e2d93e72.html; Derek Hawkins and Hannah Knowles, “Alleged members of white supremacy group ‘the Base’ charged with plotting to kill antifa couple,” Washington Post, January 18, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/01/18/the-base-white-supremacist-arrests/. That same month, three suspected Base members were arrested for allegedly stockpiling weapons and training for an assault on a pro-Second Amendment rally in Virginia, reportedly in the hopes of sparking a civil war.“Three Alleged Members of the Violent Extremist Group “The Base” Facing Federal Firearms and Alien-Related Charges,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 16, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/three-alleged-members-violent-extremist-group-base-facing-federal-firearms-and-alien; Michael Kunzelman, “Documents: Extremist group wanted rally to start civil war,” Associated Press, January 21, 2020, https://apnews.com/e5d17a8735678aa604a22f011c2685db.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: There has not been confirmation of any deaths carried out by The Base. Since the public revelation of the identities of The Base’s leadership and several high-profile arrests in January 2020, some U.S. media have claimed U.S. authorities dismantled The Base.Jason Wilson, “Revealed: the true identity of the leader of an American neo-Nazi terror group,” Guardian (London), January 24, 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/23/revealed-the-true-identity-of-the-leader-of-americas-neo-nazi-terror-group; Neil MacFarquhar, “Many Claim Extremists Are Sparking Protest Violence. But Which Extremists?,” New York Times, May 31, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-protests-white-supremacists-antifa.html.

No. 17: Simon Lindberg
Leader of the Nordic Resistance Movement in Sweden

Date of Birth: 1983“Sweden convicts neo-Nazi leader of inciting hatred at rally,” Agence France-Presse, January 2, 2018, https://www.timesofisrael.com/sweden-convicts-neo-nazi-leader-of-inciting-hatred-at-rally/.

Also Known As: N/A

Last Known Location: N/A

Designations:

Background: Lindberg is the leader of the Swedish chapter of the Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM). Formed by neo-Nazi nationalists in Sweden in 1997, the NRM seeks to merge all Nordic countries into a single, nationalist-socialist state, either by elections or through revolution. The group is openly racist, anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic, and pro-Hitler—and has carried out violence targeting gay people, ideological opponents and, more recently, Muslim refugees.“Registrerade partibeteckningar,” Valmyndigheten, accessed May 26, 2017, http://www.val.se/det_svenska_valsystemet/partier/lista_registrerade_partibeteckningar/kontaktuppgifter.html; “Our Path: New Politics for a New Time,” Nordic Resistance Movement, 2015, https://www.frihetskamp.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Our-Path.pdf; David Charter and Isaak Bowers, “Neo-Nazis on the march in Sweden,” Times (London), December 12, 2016, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/dcnazi-3dwxnps2g; “Så våldsamma är nazisterna i Nordiska motståndsrörelsen,” Expo Idag, December 9, 2016, http://expo.se/2016/sa-valdsamma-ar-nazisterna-i-nordiska-motstandsrorelsen_7198.html; Heba Habib, “Neo-Nazi rally in Sweden leads to injuries, arrests,” Washington Post, September 30, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/neo-nazi-rally-in-sweden-ends-in-clashes-between-police-and-counterprotesters/2017/09/30/711bb76e-a5ff-11e7-b573-8ec86cdfe1ed_story.html?utm_term=.5c576842f067. In January 2018, a Swedish court convicted Lindberg of “contempt for groups based on their race, skin color, national or ethnic origin by shouting ‘Sieg Heil’ while raising his right arm upwards” during a November 2016 rally.Agence France-Presse, “Sweden convicts neo-Nazi leader of inciting hatred at rally,” Times of Israel, January 2, 2018, https://www.timesofisrael.com/sweden-convicts-neo-nazi-leader-of-inciting-hatred-at-rally/.

Influence: Since the start of 2015, NRM’s branch in Sweden (NRM-Sweden) has grown more than one-third in size by advocating against Sweden’s open-door policy to Muslim asylum seekers. That chapter registered as a political party in July 2015, and held its largest rally in September 2017—convening more than 600 demonstrators in the streets of Gothenburg.“Registrerade partibeteckningar,” Valmyndigheten, accessed May 26, 2017, http://www.val.se/det_svenska_valsystemet/partier/lista_registrerade_partibeteckningar/kontaktuppgifter.html; “Our Path: New Politics for a New Time,” Nordic Resistance Movement, 2015, https://www.frihetskamp.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Our-Path.pdf; David Charter and Isaak Bowers, “Neo-Nazis on the march in Sweden,” Times (London), December 12, 2016, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/dcnazi-3dwxnps2g; “Så våldsamma är nazisterna i Nordiska motståndsrörelsen,” Expo Idag, December 9, 2016, http://expo.se/2016/sa-valdsamma-ar-nazisterna-i-nordiska-motstandsrorelsen_7198.html; Heba Habib, “Neo-Nazi rally in Sweden leads to injuries, arrests,” Washington Post, September 30, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/neo-nazi-rally-in-sweden-ends-in-clashes-between-police-and-counterprotesters/2017/09/30/711bb76e-a5ff-11e7-b573-8ec86cdfe1ed_story.html?utm_term=.5c576842f067. Many of the NRM’s co-founders and early members came from the now-defunct White Aryan Resistance (Vitt Ariskt Motstand, or VAM) and its offshoot National Youth (Nationell Ungdom). The VAM, a network of Swedish neo-Nazis formed in the early 1990s, was notorious for carrying out attacks against immigrants and gay people and for funding its violence through bank robberies. The group splintered into several white-power groups in or around 1995, among them National Youth, which would go on to serve as the NRM’s youth movement.Stieg Larsson, “A Study on Racially Motivated Crime and Violence in Sweden,” The Expo Foundation, September 2002, 34, http://expo.se/www/download/final_sweden_racialviolence_raxen3.pdf.

Deaths Attributed to Individual/Organization: Although there have not been reports of deaths attributed to the group, NRM leaders and members have carried out numerous attacks against gay people, Muslim asylum seekers, and the group’s ideological adversaries. In 2017, the European NGO Expo found that a quarter of NRM's members had been convicted of violent crime.Lee Roden, “2016 saw a surge in neo-Nazi activity in Sweden: here's why,” The Local (Stockholm), May 5, 2017, https://www.thelocal.se/20170505/2016-saw-a-surge-in-neo-nazi-activity-in-sweden-heres-why.

No. 18: Samantha Lewthwaite
Alleged member of al-Shabaab and former wife of 7/7 London terrorist bomber

Date of Birth: December 1983Jon Rogers, Evelyn Richards, “MOST WANTED Who is the ‘White Widow’ Samantha Lewthwaite and where is she now?” The Sun, July 27, 2020, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8092858/white-widow-samantha-lewthwaite-wanted-terror-netflix/.

Also Known As: “The White Widow”,Jon Rogers, Evelyn Richards, “MOST WANTED Who is the ‘White Widow’ Samantha Lewthwaite and where is she now?” The Sun, July 27, 2020, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8092858/white-widow-samantha-lewthwaite-wanted-terror-netflix/. Sherafiyah,“WHITE WIDOW SAMANTHA LEWTHWAITE,” Mirror, August 5, 2020, https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/samantha-lewthwaite. Natalie Faye WebbJeremy Stern, “Samantha Lewthwaite: Whereabouts of Kenya attack suspect a mystery,” BBC News, February 3, 2014, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-25990055.

Last Known Location: Unknown, though it suspected that she is being protected by al-Shabaab operatives on the Somalia-Kenya border.“The White Widow: British woman whose husband bombed London now leads Somali terror group Al-Shabaab,” National Post, August 6, 2020, https://nationalpost.com/news/world/the-white-widow-british-woman-whose-husband-bombed-london-now-leads-somali-terror-group-al-shabaab.

Designations:

Background: Lewthwaite, a.k.a. the “White Widow,” is an alleged member of al-Shabaab and the former wife of 7/7 London terrorist bomber, Germaine Lindsay. It is alleged that Lewthwaite moved to Kenya in either 2007 or 2011 under a fraudulent passport by the name of Natalie Faye Webb, and shortly after began to work closely with extremist groups in eastern Africa.“Samantha Lewthwaite, Britain’s ‘White Widow’ suspected in Kenya carnage,” Al Arabiya, September 24, 2013, https://english.alarabiya.net/en/variety/2013/09/24/Is-Britain-s-White-Widow-behind-Kenyan-mall-attacks-.html.; Lauren Morris, “Who is Samantha Lewthwaite? The terror suspect featured in Netflix’s World’s Most Wanted,” Radio Times, August 5, 2020, https://www.radiotimes.com/news/on-demand/2020-08-05/worlds-most-wanted-fugitives-samantha-lewthwaite-where-now-netflix-documentary/.

Influence: According to experts, Lewthwaite was originally shielded by an al-Qaeda unit called the “suicide squad,” but later took on a key role in al-Shabaab to plan and carry out attacks.“The White Widow: British woman whose husband bombed London now leads Somali terror group Al-Shabaab,” National Post, August 6, 2020, https://nationalpost.com/news/world/the-white-widow-british-woman-whose-husband-bombed-london-now-leads-somali-terror-group-al-shabaab. Lewthwaite has been implicated in a 2012 bombing at a bar in Mombasa, Kenya, as well as being associated with the 2013 attack on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall which killed over 71 people. Interpol and Kenyan authorities are currently pursuing Lewthwaite for alleged possession of explosives and conspiracy.“The White Widow: British woman whose husband bombed London now leads Somali terror group Al-Shabaab,” National Post, August 6, 2020, https://nationalpost.com/news/world/the-white-widow-british-woman-whose-husband-bombed-london-now-leads-somali-terror-group-al-shabaab; Esther Addley and Afua Hirsch, “'White widow': Interpol arrest warrant issued for Samantha Lewthwaite,” Guardian, September 26, 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/26/interpol-arrest-warrant-samantha-lewthwaite-white-widow.

Death Attributed to Individual/Organization: Kenyan authorities allege that Lewthwaite was involved in a grenade attack at the Jericho bar in Mombasa on June 24, 2012. The attack killed three.Rebecca Evans, “Sinister web diary 'of British 7/7 bomb widow': Jihad is an obligation we must accept, says blog,” Daily Mail, July 1, 2012, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2167442/Sinister-web-diary-British-7-7-bomb-widow-Jihad-obligation-accept-says-blog.html. Lewthwaite was also implicated in the attack on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping center which took place on September 21, 2013, where al-Shabaab militants stormed the center with grenades and indiscriminately fired at shoppers. The attack killed at least 71 and injured over 200 others.Daniel Howden, “Terror in Nairobi: the full story behind al-Shabaab's mall attack,” Guardian, October 4, 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/04/westgate-mall-attacks-kenya; Jon Rogers, Evelyn Richards, “MOST WANTED Who is the ‘White Widow’ Samantha Lewthwaite and where is she now?” The Sun, July 27, 2020, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8092858/white-widow-samantha-lewthwaite-wanted-terror-netflix/.

No. 19: Tooba Gondal
ISIS member and jihadi-bride fixer

Date of Birth: 1994Adam Sage, “Tooba Gondal: Turkey deports London Isis ‘matchmaker’,” Times, November 13, 2019, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tooba-gondal-turkey-deports-london-isis-matchmaker-x0m679hpq.

Also Known As: “ISIS Matchmaker,”Adam Sage, “Tooba Gondal: Turkey deports London Isis ‘matchmaker’,” Times, November 13, 2019, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tooba-gondal-turkey-deports-london-isis-matchmaker-x0m679hpq. Umm Muthanna Al-BritaniyahDave Burke, “ISIS 'matchmaker' who 'recruited Shamima Begum' pleads to be allowed back to UK,” Mirror, September 29, 2019, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/isis-matchmaker-who-recruited-shamima-20330893.

Last Known Location: FranceAdam Sage, “Tooba Gondal: Turkey deports London Isis ‘matchmaker’,” Times, November 13, 2019, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tooba-gondal-turkey-deports-london-isis-matchmaker-x0m679hpq.

Designations: N/A

Background: Gondal is a French-born, British-Pakistani recruiter for ISIS. She was pivotal in recruiting “jihadi” brides for ISIS militants in Syria, who she reached out to through social media platforms, specifically Twitter. While a student at Goldsmiths, University of London, she became radicalized and later traveled to Syria with her husband, ISIS recruiter Abu Abbas al-Lubnani.Simon Cottee, “How a British College Student Became an ISIS Matchmaker,” Vice, December 20, 2016, https://www.vice.com/en/article/pgpvxn/how-a-british-college-student-became-an-isis-matchmaker. While in Syria, Gondal allegedly undertook weapons training. However, following her capture by Kurdish-led forces and eventual deportation to France from Turkey in 2019, she claims to have foregone her extremist beliefs and seeks to return to the United Kingdom.Dave Burke, “ISIS 'matchmaker' who 'recruited Shamima Begum' pleads to be allowed back to UK,” Mirror, September 29, 2019, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/isis-matchmaker-who-recruited-shamima-20330893.

Influence: Gondal was responsible for grooming jihadi brides with propaganda, including the notorious Shamima Begum.Adam Sage, “Tooba Gondal: Turkey deports London Isis ‘matchmaker’,” Times, November 13, 2019, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tooba-gondal-turkey-deports-london-isis-matchmaker-x0m679hpq. Gondal allegedly organized the financial sponsorship of British girls who fled to Syria to become jihadi brides.Josie Ensor, “British and Irish women who recruited for Isil found in makeshift jail after escaping detention camp,” Telegraph, November 18, 2019, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/16/british-isil-recruiters-tooba-gondal-lisa-smith-found-makeshift/.

Death Attributed to Individual/Organization: Gondal has not been associated with any deaths. However, all three of her late husbands were involved in ISIS activities, including a suicide bombing.Dipesh Gadher, “I want to redeem myself,” says jihadi bride. ‘Take me home,’” Times, September 28, 2019, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-want-to-redeem-myself-says-jihadi-bride-take-me-home-h0bzxkg9d.

No. 20: David Myatt
Former neo-Nazi and the founder of Order of Nine Angles

Date of Birth: 1950“State of hate 2019 People Vs The Elite?,” Hope Not Hate, February 2019, https://www.hopenothate.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/state-of-hate-2019-final-1.pdf.

Also Known As: Anton Long,“Atomwaffen Division,” Anti-Defamation League, accessed June 24, 2020, https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/atomwaffen-division-awd; Pierre Vaux, “Marine Le Pen's Closest Advisor Comes Out of the Shadows In Donetsk,” Daily Beast, last updated April 14, 2017, https://www.thedailybeast.com/marine-le-pens-closest-advisor-comes-out-of-the-shadows-in-donetsk. Abdul-Aziz ibn MyattNicola Woolcock and Dominic Kennedy, “What the neo Nazi fanatic did next: switched to Islam,” Times, April 24, 2006, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/what-the-neo-nazi-fanatic-did-next-switched-to-islam-qv3ph5k0jv8.

Last Known Location: United Kingdom“State of hate 2019 People Vs The Elite?,” Hope Not Hate, February 2019, https://www.hopenothate.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/state-of-hate-2019-final-1.pdf.

Designations: N/A

Background: Myatt is the founder of The Order of Nine Angles (ONA or O9A)—a U.K.-based Nazi, Satanist occult group founded in the 1970s. The group reveres Adolf Hitler and imbues Nazi symbology with mystical meaning.Daniel De Simone, “Order of Nine Angles: What is this obscure Nazi Satanist group?,” BBC News, June 23, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-53141759. During the 1990s, Myatt was one of the founders of the hardline British National Socialist Movement (NSM) and was reportedly a leader in Combat 18, a violent far-right group.Nicola Woolcock and Dominic Kennedy, “What the neo Nazi fanatic did next: switched to Islam,” Times, April 24, 2006, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/what-the-neo-nazi-fanatic-did-next-switched-to-islam-qv3ph5k0jv8. In 2006, Myatt converted to an extreme form of Islam and supported killing Muslim apostates. He claimed that the far right was incapable of bringing out societal revolution and Islam was the answer.Nicola Woolcock and Dominic Kennedy, “What the neo Nazi fanatic did next: switched to Islam,” Times (London), April 24, 2006, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/what-the-neo-nazi-fanatic-did-next-switched-to-islam-qv3ph5k0jv8. Myatt claims to have left ONA but still maintains a relationship with the organization.Nick Lowles, “Order of Nine Angles,” Hope Not Hate, February 16, 2019, https://www.hopenothate.org.uk/2019/02/16/state-of-hate-2019-order-of-nine-angles/.

Influence: ONA’s influence can be seen in neo-Nazi groups such as the U.S.-based group Atomwaffen Division and its U.K.-based offshoot Sonnenkrieg Division.Daniel De Simone, “Order of Nine Angles: What is this obscure Nazi Satanist group?,” BBC News, June 23, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-53141759. ONA has affiliated groups in the United States, Australia, and Europe.Nick Lowles, “Order of Nine Angles,” Hope Not Hate, February 16, 2019, https://www.hopenothate.org.uk/2019/02/16/state-of-hate-2019-order-of-nine-angles/. ONA members have been involved in several violent terrorist plots. In 2019, for example, a 16-year-old British boy from Durham, England, became the youngest individual in the country to be convicted of planning a terror attack. The boy was reportedly partially influenced by ONA.Daniel De Simone, “Order of Nine Angles: What is this obscure Nazi Satanist group?,” BBC News, June 23, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-53141759; Daniel De Simone, “Durham teen neo-Nazi became ‘living dead,’” BBC News, November 22, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-50397477. In June 2020, American authorities arrested U.S. soldier Ethan Melzer, who was planning an attack on his own unit stationed in Italy. Melzer had been communicating online with members of ONA.Alan Feuer, “U.S. Army Soldier Charged in Neo-Nazi Plot to Attack Fellow Troops,” New York Times, June 22, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/22/nyregion/ethan-melzer-neo-nazi-attack.html?utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1307907_; Pete Williams, Jonathan Dienst, and Courtney Kube, “Army soldier charged with giving classified info to neo-Nazi group,” NBC News, June 22, 2020, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/army-soldier-charged-giving-classified-info-neo-nazi-group-n1231766.

Death Attributed to Individual/Organization: Myatt reportedly influenced NSM member David Copeland, who set off multiple nail bombs around London in the spring of 1999, killing three people and injuring 139 in the hope of starting a race war.Sarah Lee, “London nail bombings remembered 20 years on,” BBC News, April 30, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-47216594; Andrew Buncombe and Terri Judd, “‘Hate-filled’ nailbomber is jailed for life,” Independent (Dublin), July 1, 2000, https://www.independent.ie/world-news/hate-filled-bomber-gets-six-life-sentences-26112880.html.

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