Overview

Few personal details are known about Abu Arkan al-Amiri. Nonetheless, al-Amiri is reportedly a critical cog within the ISIS leadership structure and even a strong candidate to assume the role of caliph in the event of self-appointed caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s capture or death.Erin McClam, “’Ideology Wouldn’t Die’ for ISIS, Even If Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Did,” NBC News, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/ideology-wouldnt-die-isis-even-if-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-n245401.

Selected by al-Baghdadi himself, Abu Arkan presides over the Shura Council, the key consultative and advisory council of ISIS, comprised of nine to 11 members with traditionally religious backgrounds. Jacques Neriah, “The Structure of the Islamic State (ISIS),” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, September 8, 2014, http://jcpa.org/structure-of-the-islamic-state/. The Council delivers orders from the trio of top ISIS leaders, namely al-Baghdadi and his two lieutenants-in-chief, Abu Ali al-Anbari and Abu Muslim al-Turkmani. Hypothetically, al-Amiri and the Shura Council have constraining powers over decisions made by the caliph, and can even depose him. The Council also has the responsibility of selecting the successor to the current caliph,Erin McClam, “’Ideology Wouldn’t Die’ for ISIS, Even If Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Did,” NBC News, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/ideology-wouldnt-die-isis-even-if-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-n245401. and makes recommendations for candidates for Military Council roles and to governorships.“Charting the murky leadership structure of the Islamic State,” Washington Post, October 30, 2014, http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/10/30/charting-the-murky-leadership-structure-of-the-islamic-state/.