Abu Jandal al-Kuwaiti

Abu Jandal al-Kuwaiti
Birth nameAbdul Mohsen al-Zaghilani al-Taresh[1][2] or Abdul Mohsen Al-Dhufairi[3]
Nickname(s)"The Lion"[2]
Born1970s or 1980s
Al Jahra, Kuwait[2]
Died26 December 2016[4]
Near Jabar, Raqqa Governorate, Syria[5]
Allegiance Islamic State
Service/branchMilitary of ISIL
ISIL Media Council[6]
Years of service?–2016
Rank"Number two military commander" for ISIL operations in Syria[7]
Commands held
  • Knights Battalion[2] (Rapid Response Battalion)[8]
  • Army of Raqqa[7]
Battles/warsWar on Terror: Military intervention against ISIL

Syrian Civil War

Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017)
Spouse(s)Rahaf Zina[10][11]
RelationsHussein Al-Dhufairi (possibly brother)[3]

Abu Jandal al-Kuwaiti (1970s/80s – 26 December 2016; born Abdul Mohsen al-Zaghilani al-Taresh or Abdul Mohsen Al-Dhufairi) was a leading official of the Islamic State, serving as important military commander, recruiter and propagandist. Known for his command capabilities and popular among his subordinates, Abu Jandal was called "The Lion" among IS fighters and fought in several battles in Syria and Iraq. By late 2016, Abu Jandal had become IS' second highest-ranking commander in Syria and led the defense of its de facto capital Raqqa against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). He was killed by a US airstrike on 26 December 2016.

  1. ^ a b Pascale Menassa (2 July 2014). "The Islamic State's organizational structure one year in". Al Monitor. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "IS members arrested in Kuwait, warrants issued for others – Suspects accused of funding, promoting, fighting with radical group". Kuwait Times. 17 September 2014. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  3. ^ a b Habib Toumi (16 April 2017). "Kuwaiti terror suspect repatriated from Philippines". Gulf News. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Death of Abu Jandal al-Kuwaiti". CJTF–OIR. 29 December 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  5. ^ Sadredin Kino (27 December 2016). "ISIS commander of Raqqa killed in US airstrike". ARA News. Archived from the original on 25 July 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  6. ^ Kyle Orton (1 February 2017). "Analysis: 'Kuwaiti Islamic State Military Official Killed in Syria'". Henry Jackson Society. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  7. ^ a b "IS military leader killed in Syria airstrike, US says". The Times of Israel. 29 December 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  8. ^ Daniele Raineri (1 January 2017). "Abu Muhammad al Adnani named the battalion of Abu Jandal al Kuwaiti "the Rapid Response Battalion" كتيبة الرد السريع – explains many travels". Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  9. ^ Daniele Raineri (1 January 2017). "Kuwaiti was deployed as a "troubleshooter" for Islamic State – here pictured during brutal campaign against Shaitat tribe in Deir Ezzor 2014". Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  10. ^ Chad de Guzman (7 April 2017). "NBI presents alleged ISIS members nabbed in Taguig". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  11. ^ Evelyn Macairan (16 April 2017). "Alleged Kuwaiti IS leader's wife to be deported — BI". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 17 April 2017.