Overview
Ashraf Muhammad Yusuf Uthman Abd al-Salam, a 31-year-old Jordanian national, is a financial supporter of the Nusra Front, al-Qaeda, and al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). “Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Four Names to its Sanctions List,” United Nations Security Council, January 23, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc11750.doc.htm. He has been fighting in Syria since early 2014, presumably with the Nusra Front. “Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Four Names to its Sanctions List,” United Nations Security Council, January 23, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc11750.doc.htm. Al-Salam has planned, transferred, or aided in the transfer of hundreds of thousands of dollars to AQI, core al-Qaeda, and the Nusra Front. Al-Salam has also enabled Nusra Front fighters to receive al-Qaeda training, and has helped to equip the Nusra Front with explosives. “Treasury Designates Twelve Foreign Terrorist Fighter Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 24, 2014, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl2651.aspx.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated al-Salam a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224 in September 2014. “Treasury Designates Twelve Foreign Terrorist Fighter Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 24, 2014, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl2651.aspx. In January and February 2015, the U.N. and the EU designated al-Salam an individual associated with al-Qaeda. “European Commission,” Official Journal of the European Union, February 2, 2015, http://hb.betterregulation.com/external/Notice 2015_C 38_09.pdf; “Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Four Names to its Sanctions List,” United Nations Security Council, January 23, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc11750.doc.htm.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- The 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):
- Member of al-Qaeda; Fighter in Syria
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.
- Extremist entity
- Al-Qaeda
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, non-state actor, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, salafist, Sunni, takfirist
- Position(s):
- Member of al-Qaeda; Fighter in Syria
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.
- Extremist entity
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, non-state actor, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, salafist, Sunni, takfirist
- Position(s):
- Member of al-Qaeda; Fighter in Syria
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.
History
United Nations Security Council
On January 23, 2015, the U.N. Security Council added Ashraf Muhammad Yusuf Uthman Abd al-Salam to the al-Qaeda Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to assets freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo pursuant to Security Council resolution 2083 (2012). “Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Four Names to its Sanctions List,” United Nations Security Council, January 23, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc11750.doc.htm.
The European Union
On February 4, 2015, the EU designated Ashraf Muhammad Yusuf Uthman Abd al-Salam as an individual associated with al-Qaeda pursuant to Council Regulation 881/2002. “European Commission,” Official Journal of the European Union, February 2, 2015, http://hb.betterregulation.com/external/Notice 2015_C 38_09.pdf; “HM Treasury- Financial Sanctions Notice,” Government of the United Kingdom, February 4, 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/401364/AQ_Notice_4_new_individuals.pdf.
United States
U.S. Department of the Treasury; September 24, 2014.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Ashraf Muhammad Yusuf Uthman Abd al-Salam a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224 on September 24, 2014. “Treasury Designates Twelve Foreign Terrorist Fighter Facilitators,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 24, 2014, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl2651.aspx.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On April 3, 2017, the day Vladimir Putin was due to visit the city, a suicide bombing was carried out in the St. Petersburg metro, killing 15 people and injuring 64. An al-Qaeda affiliate, Imam Shamil Battalion, claimed responsibility.