Briefs
The Mysterious al-Shahab al-Mohajir—The New Emir of Islamic State-Khorasan
Islamic State has selected a new emir for its branch in Afghanistan, Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K). In a surprising move, the Syrian-based central leadership of IS has chosen al-Shahab al-Mohajir—a foreign fighter, from Iraq—whose credentials are not widely known within the jihadist circles of South Asia... MORE
Will Egyptian-Born al-Qaeda Media Chief Husam Abd al-Rauf Succeed Zawahiri?
Husam Abd al-Rauf is among the few remaining al-Qaeda figures with a public profile. A prolific contributor to al-Qaeda’s jihadist productions and publications, al-Rauf has repeatedly threatened to target Western countries. He is credited with reviving and modernizing al-Qaeda’s media operations, in particular the group’s... MORE
The Shadowy Leader of the PMU Confronting the U.S. in Iraq—Abdul-Aziz al-Muhammadawi
On February 21, leaders of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU)—the official umbrella group of Iraq’s Shia-dominated militias—announced that they had agreed to appoint Abdul Aziz al-Muhammadawi as the chief of staff of their organization (al-Mayadeen, February 20). Al-Muhammadawi (a.k.a. Abu Fadak) has been a shadowy... MORE
Ibrahim Sadr: The Hardline Former Military Chief Maintaining Influence Over the Taliban
In early May, the Taliban announced the appointment of Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, son of its founder-leader Mullah Mohammed Omar and deputy to its current amir (leader) Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, as chief of its military commission. Ibrahim Sadr, who Yaqoob replaced, and Abdul Qayyum Zakir would... MORE
Islamic State Obituary Profiles the Life of Slain Maldivan Jihadist Ahmad Nishwan
In early May 2020, the pro-Islamic State (IS) media center Haqqu released a documentary on the life of the slain Maldivian jihadist Ahmad Nishwan. The biographical sketch on Nishwan, which is approximately 33-minutes-long, comes amid IS’ increased outreach efforts to Maldivians. Islamic State is using... MORE
Shaykh Hassan Hussein Adam: al-Shabaab’s Ideologue Shaping the Insurgent Response to COVID-19
Shaykh Hassan Hussein Adam is an ideological and spiritual leader of al-Shabaab who has done the most to shape how the Somalia-based militant group has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. His opinion on the virus is the latest missive from the 41-year-old cleric whose past... MORE
Abdelmalek Droukdel and Boko Haram: A Post-Mortem Analysis on the AQIM Leader’s Ties to the Nigerian Terrorist Group
Abdelmalek Droukdel (a.k.a. Abu Musab Abdel Wadud) was the leader of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) since 2006—or since 2004, if his stint leading AQIM’s predecessor, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), is included. His death was announced on June 11, and... MORE
Who’s Who in the GNA Military Leadership in Libya
The military offensive launched by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in April 2019 to conquer western Libya has failed (see TM, April 5, 2019). For months, Haftar and his forces enjoyed a clear strategic advantage: more fighters, more mercenaries, more external support, and more significant financial... MORE
Igor Strelkov-Girkin: The Rise and Fall of the Former Donetsk Minister of Defense
Introduction On June 25, the former Minister of Defense of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Igor Strelkov-Girkin (born December, 17 1970) admitted that “instead of bringing freedom to Donbass, I brought destruction and a six-years` war. Yet, I have no regrets about my actions”... MORE
A Brief Overview of Abu Muhammad al-Masri: The Next in Line to Lead al-Qaeda
On June 14, a U.S. drone strike in Syria’s Idlib province killed Abu al-Qassam al-Urduni, a top al-Qaeda figure who was a commander of al-Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din. The death of al-Urduni, a.k.a. Khalid al-Aruri, follows those of prominent al-Qaeda leaders Abu al-Khayr al-Masri and... MORE