Abu Osama al-Masri

Abu Osama al-Masri (alternatively Abu Osama al-Masry; Arabic: أبو أسامة المصري‎)[1] is the nom de guerre of an Egyptian Muslim cleric and leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) branch in the Sinai Peninsula, known as Wilayat Sinai or Sinai Province. His name is a Kunya which means “the father of Osama, from Egypt”.[2]

As of 2015, al-Masri is said to be 42 years old. He is reported to have been a clothing importer who studied at al-Azhar University, a top Sunni institution in Cairo.[3]

Terrorist activities

al-Marsi's group, previously known as Ansar Bait al-Maqdis (ABM), has been involved in suicide bombings, attacks on Egyptian police and military, and the killing of a Croat oil contractor. In the summer of 2015 they released a video showing the beheading of four Bedouin people, whom they accused of passing information to Israeli spies to assist in drone strikes. They have also conducted raids into Israel including an attack on the tourist area of Eila and a gas pipeline.[3]

In May 2015 a recording surfaced where Masri called for attacks against Egyptian judges, saying: "It is wrong for the tyrants [judges] to jail our brothers, Poison their food... surveil them at home and in the street... destroy their homes with explosives if you can."[1]

In November 2015 al-Masri became a person of interest in the downing of Metrojet Flight 9268.[4] He claimed responsibility saying “We are the ones who downed it [Metrojet Flight 9268] by the grace of Allah, and we are not compelled to announce the method that brought it down.”[3]

Designation as a terrorist organization

The group al-Masri leads has been designated as a terrorist organization by Egypt,[5] the UAE,[6] the United Kingdom,[7] and the United States.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 Michael Georgy; Stephen Kalin (21 May 2015). "Islamic State's Egypt affiliate urges attacks on judges - recording". Reuters UK. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "Who are the jihadists who may have brought down the Russian jet?". Telegraph.co.uk. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Abu Osama al-Masri: Portrait of the Egyptian terrorist suspected of downing Russian plane". www.leaderpost.com. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "Plane bombing mastermind unmasked as Egyptian cleric". The Sunday Times. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "Egyptian court says Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis a terrorist organization". Egypt Independent. 14 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "UAE cabinet endorses new list of terrorist groups". Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) وكالة الأنباء الكويتية. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "UK government Proscribed Terrorist Organisations" (PDF). UK Home Office. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "US declares Ansar Beit al-Maqdes a terrorist group". Mada Masr. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
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