Overview
David Drugeon is a French foreign fighter in Syria and reported member of the Khorasan group. He is an alleged expert in bomb-making. Reports once claimed that Drugeon defected from France’s intelligence services,Mitchell Prothero, “Sources: U.S. air strikes in Syria targeted French agent who defected to al Qaida,” McClatchy, October 5, 2014, http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/10/05/242218_sources-us-air-strikes-in-syria.html?rh=1. but they have since been discredited. French officials have formally denied any links between Drugeon and France’s intelligence community.Eric Pelletier and Boris Thiolay, “Sur la piste du Français d'Al-Qaïda,” L’Express, October 21, 2014, http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/societe/sur-la-piste-du-francais-d-al-qaeda_1613834.html.
The U.S. began conducting airstrikes against the Khorasan group on September 22, 2014. U.S. officials believe that Drugeon was killed in November 2014 airstrikes, although they could not confirm his death.“U.S. Attacks Al Qaeda-Linked Militants Khorasan,” Wall Street Journal, November 6, 2014, http://www.wsj.com/articles/activists-say-us-struck-syrian-rebel-compound-1415266868. CNN and French outlet L’Express reported in December 2014 that Drugeon survived the strike.Barbara Starr and Paul Cruickshank, “Officials: Khorasan Group bomb maker thought dead survived,” CNN, December 11, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/10/politics/kohrasan-group-bomb-maker-survived/. On September 23, 2015, U.S. intelligence sources confirmed that Drugeon was killed in an airstrike in July 2015.Eugene Scott and Barbara Starr, “Pentagon confirms death of al Qaeda-tied bombmaker,” CNN, September 23, 2015, https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/23/politics/david-drugeon-al-qaeda-bombmaker/index.html.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- Khorasan
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Non-state actor, political, religious, social service provider, transnational
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, jihadist, pan-Islamist, Qutbist, Sunni, takfirist
- Position(s):
- Member
The Muslim Brotherhood is a transnational Sunni Islamist movement that seeks to implement sharia (Islamic law) under a global caliphate. Founded in Egypt in 1928, the Brotherhood is the country’s oldest Islamist organization and has branches throughout the world.
History
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.