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
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