Overview
Saudi-born Muhannad al-Najdi is a U.S.-designated member of al-Qaeda. Al-Najdi traveled to Syria in 2013, prior to which he facilitated and planned attacks in Afghanistan. Since at least 2010, al-Najdi developed improvised explosive devices for use in Afghanistan and Syria.“Narrative Summaries of Reasons for Listing,” United Nations Security Council, February 29, 2016, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/muhannad-al-najdi.
On September 24, 2014, the U.S. Department of State designated al-Najdi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224.“Individuals and Entities Designated by the State Department Under E.O. 13224,” U.S. Department of State, accessed May 5, 2016, http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/143210.htm. On March 3, 2016, the European Union designated al-Najdi as an al-Qaeda associate, pursuant Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002.“Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/647,” March 3, 2016, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016R0307. On April 20, 2016, the United Nations added al-Najdi to its “Al-Qaida Sanctions List.”“Narrative Summaries of Reasons for Listing,” United Nations Security Council, February 29, 2016, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/muhannad-al-najdi.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- Al-Qaeda
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Non-state actor, religious, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Jihadist, pan-Islamist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
- Position(s):
- Facilitator
Al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks was the deadliest ever on American soil, killing nearly 3,000 people. Since the fall of the Taliban, al-Qaeda has established operations worldwide, including in Syria, the Gulf, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.
History
United States
September 24, 2014The U.S. Department of State designates “Muhannad al-Najdi” as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224.“In the Matter of the Designation of Muhannad al-Najdi, Also Known as `Ali Manahi `Ali al-Mahaydali al-`Utaybi, Also Known as Ghassan al-Tajiki as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Pursuant to Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as Amended,” Federal Register, October 7, 2014, https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/10/07/2014-23926/in-the-matter-of-the-designation-of-muhannad-al-najdi-also-known-as-ali-manahi-ali-al-mahaydali.
European Union
March 3, 2016The European Union adds “Muhannad Al-Najdi” to its list of Natural persons.“Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/647,” March 3, 2016, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016R0307.
United Nations
April 20, 2016The United Nations adds “Muhannad al-Najdi” to its “Al-Qaida Sanctions List.”“Narrative Summaries of Reasons for Listing,” United Nations Security Council, February 29, 2016, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/muhannad-al-najdi.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
In Their Own Words:
We reiterate once again that the brigades will directly target US bases across the region in case the US enemy commits a folly and decides to strike our resistance fighters and their camps [in Iraq].
Mar. 2023