Shahab al-Muhajir

Shahab al-Muhajir (Arabic: شهاب المهاجر, romanized: ʾShahab al-Muhajirʿ) is an Islamist terrorist, serving as the commander-in-chief of the militant group the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (IS-KP or IS-K) since 2020.[3][4][5] He is a citizen of Iraq according to an analysis by BBC News and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).[6] His nickname al-Muhajir means "The Migrant" in English. He also uses the alias Sanaullah al-Sadiq.[7]

Shahab al-Muhajir
شهاب المهاجر
Commander-in-chief of the Islamic State – Khorasan Province
In office
April 2020 – present
Personal details
Born (1994-10-28) October 28, 1994[1][2]
Afghanistan
Nickname(s)المهاجر
al-Muhājir, i.e., 'The Migrant'
Military career
Allegiance Islamic State
Service/branch Islamic State – Khorasan Province
RankEmir of the Islamic State – Khorasan Province
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan

When IS-K was established in Afghanistan, Hafiz Saeed Khan was its chief and his deputy Abdul Rauf Aliza, a former member of Taliban. The United States carried out airstrikes killing Aliza in 2015 and Hafiz Saeed Khan in 2016. In 2020, al-Muhajir was instated as its leader and head of operations of IS-K becoming its mastermind and main figure.[7] He is also reportedly the first non-Afghan or non-Pakistani national to head the IS-K group.[8]

Formerly Shahab al-Muhajir was mid-level Haqqani network commander (an Islamist militant group affiliated with the Taliban) and a member of Al-Qaeda before defecting and becoming the leader of the ISIS-K greatly opposed to the Taliban.[9] After the 2021 Kabul airport attack masterminded by al-Muhajir, the Taliban announced that they would take every possible measure to capture him.[10]

On 21 December 2021, the United Nations Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee added al-Muhajir (under his real name, "Sanaullah Ghafari"), to their sanctions list.[11]

On 22 December 2021, the Council of the European Union followed the UN by adding al-Muhajir (under his real name, "Sanaullah Ghafari"), to their sanctions list.[12]

References
  1. "Counter Terrorism Designations, Designations Updates and Designations Removals; Syria Designations Updates".
  2. "Sanaullah Ghafari – Rewards for Justice".
  3. Jenkins, Jack. "Who is ISIS-K, the group officials blame for the Kabul airport bombings?". The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  4. Schmitt, Eric (2021-08-25). "ISIS Branch Poses Biggest Immediate Terrorist Threat to Evacuation in Kabul". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  5. Johny, Stanly (2021-08-27). "Explained | Who are ISKP, the group behind Kabul blasts?". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  6. "Who are Isis-K, and what is their relationship with the Taliban?". The Telegraph. 28 August 2021.
  7. Presswire18.com: ISIS-K Chief: Who is Shahab al-Muhajir, the head of the group that terrorized Kabul
  8. John Kirby (August 27, 2021). "ISIS-K, explained by an expert - What to know about the Afghanistan ISIS offshoot that waged a deadly attack at the Kabul airport". Vox. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  9. Eric Schmitt (August 25, 2021). "ISIS Branch Poses Biggest Immediate Terrorist Threat to Evacuation in Kabul". The New York Times. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  10. Farmer, Ben (27 August 2021). "Ambitious new Isis-K leader becomes Taliban's most wanted enemy after Kabul attacks". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  11. "Security Council ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds One Entry to Its Sanctions List | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". www.un.org. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  12. "UN designates UPC & ISIL-K leaders". EU Sanctions. 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
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