Jabhat al Nusrah Archives

Syria’s new Minister of Justice: A profile of Shadi Mohammed al Waisi

Mariam Wahba & Ahmad Sharawi | January 8, 2025

Shadi Mohammed al Waisi, Syria’s newly appointed Minister of Justice in the transitional government, has come under scrutiny after videos from 2015 surfaced showing him ordering executions while serving as a Jabhat al Nusrah judge. Born in Aleppo in 1985, he rose through the ranks of various sharia courts in rebel-held areas before the fall of Bashar al Assad in December 2024, issuing verdicts that included executions and amputations.

State Department amends terror designation for Al Nusrah Front

Thomas Joscelyn | May 31, 2018

The State Department has amended the terrorist designation for Al Nusrah Front to include the “alias” Hay’at Tahrir al Sham (HTS). State’s announcement indicates that the US government still considers HTS to be part of al Qaeda’s network, despite the jihadists’ vitriolic disputes over its formation. State didn’t explain its reasoning behind the move.

State Department: Iran continues to host al Qaeda’s ‘core facilitation pipeline’

Thomas Joscelyn | July 23, 2017

“Since at least 2009,” the State Department says in a recently released report, “Iran has allowed AQ [al Qaeda] facilitators to operate a core facilitation pipeline through the country, enabling AQ to move funds and fighters to South Asia and Syria.”

US citizen pleaded guilty to training with al Qaeda in Syria, plotting attack

Thomas Joscelyn | July 5, 2017

The Department of Justice announced on June 29 that Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud pleaded guilty nearly two years ago to training with and fighting for Al Nusrah Front in Syria. Al Nusrah “instructed” Mohamud “to return to the US and commit an act of terrorism.” He admittedly planned to kill American “military officers or other government employees or people in uniform.”

Pentagon confirms Egyptian al Qaeda veteran was killed in airstrike

Thomas Joscelyn | October 7, 2016

The Pentagon has confirmed that Ahmed Salama Mabrouk was killed in an Oct. 3 airstrike in Syria’s Idlib province. According to Defense Department Press Secretary Peter Cook, Mabrouk was “one of Al Qaeda’s most senior leaders” and his death is “a blow to their ability to plot external attacks.” Mabrouk was one of the most senior officials in Jabhat Fath al Sham, al Qaeda’s rebranded branch in Syria.

Jihadist front established to represent foreign fighters in Syria

Thomas Joscelyn | July 20, 2015

Jihadist groups in Syria, including the Al Nusrah Front and Ahrar al Sham, have established “Al Muhajirun” as a new front for foreign fighters. The alliance is intended to unite foreign jihadists and serve as a counterbalance to the Islamic State.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb leader congratulates jihadists on Idlib victory

Thomas Joscelyn | April 10, 2015

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb’s emir, Abdulmalek Droukdel, has released an audio message praising the head of the Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, for working with other Islamist and jihadist groups to capture the city of Idlib.

Leaked audio features Al Nusrah Front emir discussing creation of an Islamic emirate

Thomas Joscelyn | July 12, 2014

An alleged audio recording featuring Al Nusrah Front emir Abu Muhammad al Julani was leaked online. Julani discusses the creation of an Islamic emirate, or state, in Syria as a counterweight to the Islamic State and other actors.

Al Qaeda ally calls for statement on Islamic State’s caliphate

Thomas Joscelyn | July 9, 2014

Hani Sibai, a longtime ally of Ayman al Zawahiri, has called on al Qaeda to issue a statement regarding the Islamic State’s announced caliphate.

The Islamic State’s rivals in Syria reject announced Caliphate

Thomas Joscelyn | July 1, 2014

The Islamic State’s jihadist rivals in Syria have rejected its claim to have established a Caliphate. Leading ideologues in the Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, have rejected the Islamic State’s announcement as well.

Ansar al Islam claims attacks against Iraqi military, police

Thomas Joscelyn | June 20, 2014

Ansar al Islam, a jihadist group founded in northern Iraq in September 2001, has claimed a number of attacks against the Iraqi government since the rebel offensive began earlier this month.

Jailed jihadist ideologue says the ISIS is a ‘deviant organization’

Thomas Joscelyn | May 28, 2014

The Al Nusrah Front is promoting a new statement purportedly written by Abu Muhammad al Maqdisi, who denounces the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham (ISIS). Despite being jailed in Jordan, Maqdisi claims to have taken part in the efforts to end the jihadist infighting in Syria. Maqdisi also says he informed al Qaeda head Ayman al Zawahiri of his role.

Head of al Qaeda’s ‘Victory Committee’ survived battle in Syria

Thomas Joscelyn | April 19, 2014

Sanafi al Nasr, a senior al Qaeda leader who was reportedly killed in Latakia, Syria in late March, is alive. Nasr leads an al Qaeda committee responsible for the group’s strategic planning and policy.

Al Nusrah Front sharia official uses social media to condemn killing of fellow jihadist

Thomas Joscelyn | April 18, 2014

Abu Sulayman al Muhajir used his Twitter account to condemn the killing of Abu Muhammad al Fateh, the Al Nusrah Front’s leader in the province of Idlib, Syria. Sulayman says that Fateh joined al Qaeda in Iraq in 2005 and went on to become a confidante of Abu Muhammad al Julani, Al Nusrah’s emir.

More ties between Ansar Jerusalem and the Syrian jihad reported

Thomas Joscelyn | February 11, 2014

A close look at Ansar Jerusalem’s attempted assassination of Egypt’s interior minister on Sept. 5, 2013 reveals multiple connections to al Qaeda’s international network.

Treasury Department identifies another Iran-based facilitator for al Qaeda

Thomas Joscelyn | February 6, 2014

The Treasury Department confirmed today that the head of al Qaeda’s Iran-based network, known as Yasin al Suri, is operational once again. Treasury also designated an additional “associate” of al Suri’s.

Saudi cleric’s reconciliation initiative for jihadists draws wide support, then a rejection

Thomas Joscelyn | January 27, 2014

Saudi cleric Abdallah Muhammad al Muhaysini offered a reconciliation initiative for the jihadists in Syria to end their infighting. His proposal mirrored a message issued by Ayman al Zawahiri. Although the initiative garnered much support, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham has rejected it.

The Long War Journal’s reply to Marie Harf

Bill Ardolino | January 26, 2014

The Long War Journal’s assessment of Ms. Harf’s press briefing was entirely accurate and her response actually validates our key points.