Overview
Ibrahim al-Bakr is a Qatari born facilitator who reportedly provides financial support and services to al-Qaeda. “Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Four Names to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, January 23, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc11750.doc.htm. In the early 2000s, Qatari authorities arrested al-Bakr for his involvement in a jihadist network. He was subsequently released on the condition that he no longer conduct terrorist activity in Qatar. “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. Al-Bakr subsequently played a key role in a terrorist cell that was plotting to attack U.S. military targets in Qatar and provided funding and fundraising support for al-Qaeda. “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.
As of 2012, al-Bakr was reportedly collecting money for al-Qaeda and the Taliban, serving as a link between Gulf-based al-Qaeda financiers and Afghanistan. “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; “NARRATIVE SUMMARIES OF REASONS FOR LISTING: QDi.344. Ibrahim ‘Isa Hajji Muhammad al-Bakr,” United Nations, January 23, 2015, http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/NSQI34415E.shtml. Al-Bakr is believed to be currently hiding in Pakistan.
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, fundraiser, financier
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
European Union
The EU imposed restrictions on Ibrahim 'Isa Hajji Muhammad al-Bakr for his affiliation with al-Qaeda on February 3, 2015. “COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2015/167 of 3 February 2015 amending for the 225th time Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 imposing certain specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities associated with the Al Qaida network,” EUR-Lex, February 3, 2015, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2015_028_R_0003.
United Kingdom
The U.K. added Ibrahim ‘Isa Hajji Muhammad al-Bakr to its Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the U.K. on February 3, 2015. “Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK,” HM Treasury, April 28, 2015, http://hmt-sanctions.s3.amazonaws.com/sanctionsconlist.htm.
United Nations
The U.N. Security Council added Ibrahim 'Isa Hajji Muhammad al-Bakr to its Al-Qaida Sanctions List on January 23, 2015. “Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Four Names to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, January 23, 2015, http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc11750.doc.htm.
United States
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Ibrahim ‘Isa Hajji Muhammad al-Bakr as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to 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.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE cabinet issued Regulation No. 18, which designated Ibrahim Isa Hajji Muhammad al-Bakr as a supporter of terrorism on June 9, 2017.“Qatar-Linked People, Groups on Terror List,” Gulf News, June 9, 2017, https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/qatar/qatar-linked-people-groups-on-terror-list-1.2040686.
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia designated Ibrahim Isa Hajji Muhammad al-Bakr as a suspected terrorist supporter on the basis of having “specifically financed, aided and/or provided material support to al-Qaida and its associated organisations and networks” on June 9, 2017.“43 New Designations Specifically Address Threats Posed by Qatar Linked and Based Al Qaida Terrorism Support Networks,” Emirates New Agency, June 9, 2017, http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302618259.
Egypt
The Arab Republic of Egypt designated Ibrahim Isa Hajji Muhammad al-Bakr as a suspected terrorist supporter on the basis of having “specifically financed, aided and/or provided material support to al-Qaida and its associated organisations and networks” on June 9, 2017.“43 New Designations Specifically Address Threats Posed by Qatar Linked and Based Al Qaida Terrorism Support Networks,” Emirates New Agency, June 9, 2017, http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302618259.
Bahrain
The Kingdom of Bahrain designated Ibrahim Isa Hajji Muhammad al-Bakr as a suspected terrorist supporter on the basis of having “specifically financed, aided and/or provided material support to al-Qaida and its associated organisations and networks” on June 9, 2017.“43 New Designations Specifically Address Threats Posed by Qatar Linked and Based Al Qaida Terrorism Support Networks,” Emirates New Agency, June 9, 2017, http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302618259.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On January 23, 2019, two car bombs exploded outside of a mosque in Benghazi, Libya, killing 41 people and injuring 80 others. No group claimed responsibility for the blast, but remnants suggested an ISIS affiliate was responsible.