Saleh Al-Qaraawi
Leader of Al-Qaeda in Lebanon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saleh Al-Qaraawi (Arabic: صالح القرعاوي) is a Saudi militant and founder of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades.[1]
Al-Qaeda
Al Qaeda central (?–present)
Al-Qaeda in Iraq (2003–2006)
Islamic State of Iraq
(2006–2009)- Abdullah Azzam Brigades
(2009–2012)
(?–?)
Commander in Iraq
(2003–2009)
(2009–2012)
Saleh Al-Qaraawi | |
|---|---|
Press photo/Mugshot of Saleh al-Qaraawi after he confessed to crimes. | |
| Occupation | Militant |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Al-Qaeda
|
Service years | Unknown–present |
Rank | Fighter in Afghanistan (?–?) Commander in Iraq (2009–2012) |
Conflicts | War in Afghanistan (1978–present) Iraq War |
Background
Al-Qaraawi fought in the Iraqi Insurgency alongside Al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.[2] He was a founder of the militant Abdullah Azzam Brigades in 2009, which has carried out a number of attacks in the Middle East.[3] He was identified as the leader of Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia by Saudi Arabian security officials in a 3 February 2009 list of their 85 most wanted.[1]
In December 2011, the US State Department listed him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.[2]
Al-Qaraawi was arrested on 9 June 2012 after returning to Saudi Arabia from Pakistan where he had been wounded in a drone strike.[4][5]
