Amin al-Baroudi

Syrian-born Amin al-Baroudi is a naturalized U.S. citizen who, over the course of several years, allegedly provided tactical supplies to the Syrian rebel group Ahrar al-Sham, which is tied to al-Qaeda’s former affiliate in Syria, al-Nusra Front.“Syrian-born US citizen Amin al-Baroudi charged with smuggling to militants,” Daily Mail (London), December 7, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3350059/Syrian-born-US-citizen-charged-smuggling-militants.html;
Matt Zapotosky, “Naturalized U.S. citizen accused of arming rebel group in Syria,” Washington Post, December 7, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/naturalized-us-citizen-accused-of-arming-rebel-group-in-syria/2015/12/07/0744edd8-9cfb-11e5-a3c5-c77f2cc5a43c_story.html?postshare=5571449583053040&tid=ss_tw. The FBI arrested al-Baroudi in December 2015.Syrian-born US citizen Amin al-Baroudi charged with smuggling to militants,” Daily Mail (London), December 7, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3350059/Syrian-born-US-citizen-charged-smuggling-militants.html. In January 2016, he pled guilty to multiple charges of conspiring to export U.S.-origin goods from the United States to Syria.“Syrian-born US citizen Amin al-Baroudi charged with smuggling to militants,” Daily Mail (London), December 7, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3350059/Syrian-born-US-citizen-charged-smuggling-militants.html;
“California Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Violate U.S. Sanctions Against Syria,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 15, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-pleads-guilty-conspiring-violate-us-sanctions-against-syria.

Al-Baroudi allegedly helped provide riflescopes, tactical vests, night vision goggles, and other military-style gear to Ahrar al-Sham, which aims to establish an Islamic state in Syria.Ben Nuckols, “U.S. citizen charged with smuggling to Islamic militants in Syria,” Military Times, December 7, 2015, http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/12/07/us-citizen-charged-smuggling-islamic-militants-syria/76947178/. From December 2011 to March 2013, al-Baroudi personally delivered the gear and arranged shipments.Matt Zapotosky, “Naturalized U.S. citizen accused of arming rebel group in Syria,” Washington Post, December 7, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/naturalized-us-citizen-accused-of-arming-rebel-group-in-syria/2015/12/07/0744edd8-9cfb-11e5-a3c5-c77f2cc5a43c_story.html?postshare=5571449583053040&tid=ss_tw. Although he was not charged with shipping weaponry, the objects he smuggled were banned from export to Syria because of their potential military use. Ben Nuckols, “U.S. citizen charged with smuggling to Islamic militants in Syria,” Military Times, December 7, 2015, http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/12/07/us-citizen-charged-smuggling-islamic-militants-syria/76947178/;
“United States v. Amin al-Baroudi,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 15, 2016, 1, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/813586/download.

Al-Baroudi and his unnamed co-conspirators allegedly purchased tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of supplies from American companies, including eBay and Amazon, before traveling to Syria to deliver them.“Syrian-born US citizen Amin al-Baroudi charged with smuggling to militants,” Daily Mail (London), December 7, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3350059/Syrian-born-US-citizen-charged-smuggling-militants.html. A court document states he violated a broad prohibition on exporting goods to Syria.Matt Zapotosky, “Naturalized U.S. citizen accused of arming rebel group in Syria,” Washington Post, December 7, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/naturalized-us-citizen-accused-of-arming-rebel-group-in-syria/2015/12/07/0744edd8-9cfb-11e5-a3c5-c77f2cc5a43c_story.html?postshare=5571449583053040&tid=ss_tw;
“United States v. Amin al-Baroudi,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 15, 2016, 1, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/813586/download.

In late December 2011, al-Baroudi allegedly spoke to “T.S.”—an alleged Syrian-based co-conspirator with ties to Ahrar al-Sham—about exporting tactical supplies to Syria via flights from the United States to Turkey. On July 17, 2012, an alleged co-conspirator identified as “R.J.” travelled with such supplies from Los Angeles International Airport to Istanbul. R.J. informed al-Baroudi he had delivered the items to T.S. in Syria.“United States v. Amin al-Baroudi,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 15, 2016, 4, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/813586/download.

On January 19, 2013, al-Baroudi composed a list of various items alongside their pictures and descriptions, including “3-9x30mm high quality rifle scopes.” Al-Baroudi wrote, “…Proven to be real good in our environment. Sent 100s of them, used in Idlib and Halab very successfully. People loved them and always asking for more. Capable to transfer any decent rifle to sniper rifle.” The document was sent to his alleged co-conspirators.“United States v. Amin al-Baroudi,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 15, 2016, 4-5, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/813586/download.

Al-Baroudi informed T.S. he planned to travel to Turkey on February 15, 2013, and bring with him approximately $30,000 worth of equipment. On February 8, 2013, al-Baroudi sent T.S. another list of items including bullet proof vests, handcuffs, night vision goggles, riflescopes, and knives.“United States v. Amin al-Baroudi,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 15, 2016, 5, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/813586/download. The following day, al-Baroudi confirmed his travel with T.S., stating he would enter Syria from Rihaniya, Turkey.“United States v. Amin al-Baroudi,” Department of Justice, January 15, 2016, 5, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/813586/download.

On February 15, 2013, al-Baroudi took a commercial flight from Los Angeles to Turkey with 14 pieces of checked luggage weighing over 600 pounds. In a successful attempt to deceive airline security, he declared his luggage as “clothes,” according to a court document. Al-Baroudi then smuggled the items into Syria and allegedly distributed them among Ahrar al-Sham militants, providing instructions on their use. He returned to Los Angeles on March 4, 2013, with only two bags.Syrian-born US citizen Amin al-Baroudi charged with smuggling to militants,” Daily Mail (London), December 7, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3350059/Syrian-born-US-citizen-charged-smuggling-militants.html;
“United States v. Amin al-Baroudi,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 15, 2016, 6, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/813586/download.

A court document reveals al-Baroudi took a second trip from Los Angeles to Turkey on March 29, 2013, with four checked bags containing tactical equipment. He again crossed into Syria and distributed the items to be used by Ahrar a-Sham.“United States v. Amin al-Baroudi,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 15, 2016, 6, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/813586/download. Prosecutors have claimed al-Baroudi boasted of sending hundreds of riflescopes to Syria.Ben Nuckols, “U.S. citizen charged with smuggling to Islamic militants in Syria,” Military Times, December 7, 2015, http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/12/07/us-citizen-charged-smuggling-islamic-militants-syria/76947178/.

The FBI arrested al-Baroudi on December 3, 2015, at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia as he returned home.Syrian-born US citizen Amin al-Baroudi charged with smuggling to militants,” Daily Mail (London), December 7, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3350059/Syrian-born-US-citizen-charged-smuggling-militants.html. He allegedly spent an undetermined amount of time in Saudi Arabia before returning to the United States. His lawyer stated al-Baroudi suffered a heart attack and was receiving medical treatment there.Matt Zapotosky, “Naturalized U.S. citizen accused of arming rebel group in Syria,” Washington Post, December 7, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/naturalized-us-citizen-accused-of-arming-rebel-group-in-syria/2015/12/07/0744edd8-9cfb-11e5-a3c5-c77f2cc5a43c_story.html?postshare=5571449583053040&tid=ss_tw.

Al-Baroudi pled guilty on January 15, 2016, to charges of conspiring to export U.S.-origin goods from the United States to Syria.“California Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Violate U.S. Sanctions Against Syria,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 15, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-pleads-guilty-conspiring-violate-us-sanctions-against-syria. He faced a maximum of 20 years in prison if found guilty.Thomas Joscelyn, “US citizen pleads guilty to supporting al Qaeda-allied group in Syria,” Long War Journal, January 18, 2016, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/01/us-citizen-pleads-guilty-to-supporting-al-qaeda-allied-group-in-syria.php. He was not charged with any terrorism-related offenses.

On June 10, 2016, al-Baroudi was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison, with credit for five months already served. Federal judge Liam O’Grady acknowledged al-Baroudi’s intentions were good but misguided—as al-Baroudi sought to protect Syrian civilians from the Assad regime—and sentenced him to less time than the federal guidelines of 46 to 57 months.Rachel Weiner, “Man Accused of Arming Rebel Group in Syria Sentenced to Two Years in Prison,” Washington Post, June 10, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/man-accused-of-arming-rebel-group-in-syria-sentenced-to-two-years-in-prison/2016/06/10/c1bf5a80-2e7e-11e6-9b37-42985f6a265c_story.html. He was also sentenced to two years of post-release supervision and was denied the privilege of exporting any goods from the United States for a period of ten years following his conviction.Hillary Hess, “In the Matter of: Amin Al-Baroudi, a/k/a Abu al-Jud, Inmate Number: 87450-083, FCI Victorville Medium II, Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 3850, Adelanto, CA 92301; Order Denying Export Privileges,” Bureau of Industry and Security, 6 April 2017, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/04/06/2017-06810/in-the-matter-of-amin-al-baroudi-aka-abu-al-jud-inmate-number-87450-083-fci-victorville-medium-ii.

On August 29, 2017, al-Baroudi was released from federal prison.“Amin al-Baroudi,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed January 11, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/mobile/find_inmate/byname.jsp#inmate_results.

Also Known As

Extremist entity
Nusra Front
Read Threat Report
Type(s) of Organization:
Insurgent, non-state actor, terrorist, transnational, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni
Position(s):
Facilitator

Al-Nusra Front is an internationally sanctioned terrorist group, one of the strongest insurgent groups in Syria, and a formerly open al-Qaeda affiliate that seeks to replace the Assad regime in Syria with an Islamic state. Operating as part of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) coalition since January 2017,  al-Nusra Front stands accused of serving as a base for global al-Qaeda operations. 

Type(s) of Organization:
Insurgent, non-state actor, terrorist, transnational, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni
Position(s):
Facilitator

Al-Nusra Front is an internationally sanctioned terrorist group, one of the strongest insurgent groups in Syria, and a formerly open al-Qaeda affiliate that seeks to replace the Assad regime in Syria with an Islamic state. Operating as part of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) coalition since January 2017,  al-Nusra Front stands accused of serving as a base for global al-Qaeda operations. 

  • Rhetoric

June 10, 2016

In a statement given at his sentencing hearing:

“Through this experience, I learned that there’s no right way to do the wrong thing. I simply pray for my old country.”Rachel Weiner, “Man Accused of Arming Rebel Group in Syria Sentenced to Two Years in Prison,” Washington Post, June 10, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/man-accused-of-arming-rebel-group-in-syria-sentenced-to-two-years-in-prison/2016/06/10/c1bf5a80-2e7e-11e6-9b37-42985f6a265c_story.html.

December 4, 2015

Speaking to an unnamed co-conspirator about riflescopes:
“Proven to be real good in our environment. People loved them and always asking for more. Capable to transfer any decent rifles to sniper rifle.”Ben Nuckols, “U.S. citizen charged with smuggling to Islamic militants in Syria,” Military Times, December 7, 2015, http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/12/07/us-citizen-charged-smuggling-islamic-militants-syria/76947178/.

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On May 8, 2019, Taliban insurgents detonated an explosive-laden vehicle and then broke into American NGO Counterpart International’s offices in Kabul. At least seven people were killed and 24 were injured.

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