Osama Mehmood

Osama Mehmood is the U.S.-designated emir of al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). Given Mehmood’s leadership role in AQIS, the U.S. Department of State designated Mehmood as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on November 30, 2022.“Terrorist Designation of AQIS and TTP Leaders,” U.S. Department of State, December 1, 2022, https://www.state.gov/terrorist-designation-of-aqis-and-ttp-leaders.

Ayman al-Zawahiri announced the establishment of AQIS in September 2014 through a video released by al-Qaeda’s official media arm, As-Sahab. Asim Umar was introduced as the AQIS emir, with Usama Mahmood as its spokesperson.Amira Jadoon, Abdul Sayed and Andrew Mines, “The Islamic State Threat in Taliban Afghanistan: Tracing the Resurgence of Islamic State Khorasan,” Combating Terrorism Center, January 2022, https://ctc.westpoint.edu/the-islamic-state-threat-in-taliban-afghanistan-tracing-the-resurgence-of-islamic-state-khorasan.

On September 23, 2019, the United States launched a joint operation with the Afghan military, carrying out a raid in Musa Qala, southern Afghanistan. On October 8, Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) confirmed that along with Umar, six other militants were killed during the operation. At some point shortly after Umar’s death, Mehmood was named the new leader of the terror group.“Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent chief Asim Umar killed in Afghanistan,” The Hindu, October 8, 2019, https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/al-qaeda-in-the-indian-subcontinent-chief-asim-umar-killed-in-afghanistan/article29618954.ece.; Bill Roggio, “Afghan intelligence confirms death of AQIS emir,” Long War Journal, October 8, 2020, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/10/afghan-intelligence-confirms-death-of-aqis-emir.php.

AQIS scholars claim that under the role of emir, Mehmood has been in charge of strengthening al-Qaeda’s network in South Asia. In particular, Mehmood has stressed the importance of cooperating with and supporting the Kashmir-based, al-Qaeda-aligned Ansar Ghazwa-tul Hind to strengthen the al-Qaeda brand throughout the region.Asfandyar Mir, “Afghanistan’s Terrorism Challenge: The Political Trajectories of al-Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban, and the Islamic State,” Middle East Institute, October 20, 2020, https://www.mei.edu/publications/afghanistans-terrorism-challenge-political-trajectories-al-qaeda-afghan-taliban-and.

At some point after being named emir, Mehmood relocated to Afghanistan where he reportedly continues to direct AQIS activities. Given Mehmood’s leadership position in AQIS, on February 21, 2022, the EU added Mehmood to its sanctions list, and a few months later on November 30, the U.S. Department of State designated Mehmood as a SDGT.“Terrorist Designation of AQIS and TTP Leaders,” U.S. Department of State, December 1, 2022, https://www.state.gov/terrorist-designation-of-aqis-and-ttp-leaders; “COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2022/235 of 21 February 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1686 imposing additional restrictive measures directed against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and natural and legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them,” Official Journal of the European Union, February 21, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32022R0235.

Also Known As

Extremist entity
Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)
Read Threat Report
Type(s) of Organization:
Insurgent, non-state actor, terrorist, transnational, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Al-Qaeda/affiliate, Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
Position(s):
Emir

AQIS is al-Qaeda’s newest branch, founded in September 2014. Reportedly operating in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Burma, Bangladesh, and Kashmir, the group seeks to wage jihad in order to establish an Islamic state. 

  • Designations
  • Rhetoric

United States

European Union

  • The European Union added Osama Mahmood to its sanctions list on February 21, 2022.“COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2022/235 of 21 February 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1686 imposing additional restrictive measures directed against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and natural and legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them,” Official Journal of the European Union, February 21, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32022R0235.

November 3, 2014

In an official AQIS statement released via Twitter:
“The attack on Iraq and Syria is not against a particular group or organization. Instead it’s an attack on [the] entire Ummah [worldwide community of Muslims] aiming to terminate every Islamic and Jihadi movement which aims to stand against the tyranny and believes in the establishment of Shari’ah.”Thomas Joscelyn, “Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent Calls for Jihadist Unity against US-led Coalition,” Long War Journal, November 4, 2014, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/al_qaeda_in_the_indi_2.php.

November 3, 2014

In an official AQIS statement released via Twitter:
“Once again we call upon the Muslims worldwide to stand in support of the Mujahidīn against the American coalition and join this fard-al-ayn (absolute obligation of) Jihad to gain freedom, to protect their Deen [religion], to guard their holy places and to establish the supremacy of Shari’ah.”Thomas Joscelyn, “Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent Calls for Jihadist Unity against US-led Coalition,” Long War Journal, November 4, 2014, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/al_qaeda_in_the_indi_2.php.

November 3, 2014

In an official AQIS statement released via Twitter:
“The attack on Iraq and Syria is not against a particular group or organization. Instead it’s an attack on [the] entire Ummah [worldwide community of Muslims] aiming to terminate every Islamic and Jihadi movement which aims to stand against the tyranny and believes in the establishment of Shari’ah.”Thomas Joscelyn, “Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent Calls for Jihadist Unity against US-led Coalition,” Long War Journal, November 4, 2014, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/al_qaeda_in_the_indi_2.php.

November 3, 2014

In an official AQIS statement released via Twitter:
“Also our message to the Mujahidīn of Iraq and Syria is that the elimination of American aggression is concealed in the brotherhood and union of all the Jihadi groups and organizations, reversion towards Allah (swt) and in fighting against this infidel coalition in firm ranks.”Thomas Joscelyn, “Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent Calls for Jihadist Unity against US-led Coalition,” Long War Journal, November 4, 2014, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/al_qaeda_in_the_indi_2.php.

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On May 8, 2019, Taliban insurgents detonated an explosive-laden vehicle and then broke into American NGO Counterpart International’s offices in Kabul. At least seven people were killed and 24 were injured.

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