Homeland Security


Saif al-Adel

Al-Qaeda Security Chief

Saif al-Adel

Details
ImportanceVery High
LocationIran
AffiliationAl-Qaeda
RoleSecurity Chief
SupervisorOsama bin Laden
AffiliationEgyptian Islamic Jihad1
AffiliationAl-Qaeda Military Committee5
Full Given NameMuhammad Ibrahim Makkawi
NationalityEgyptian
Alias(es)Ibrahim al-Madani
Alternate Spelling(s)Saif al-Adil, Sayf al Adl, Seif Al Adel, Sayf al-Adl, Saif al-'Adil
Date of BirthApril 11, 19631
Alternate Date of BirthApril 11, 19601
Place of BirthEgypt1
GenderMale
DescriptionHair: Dark. Eyes: Dark. Complexion: Olive.1
Charged withConspiracy
Charging authorityUnited States
In connection withEast African Embassy Bombings
 
 
Narrative and Notes
 
Reliable
  • Saif al-Adel is wanted in connection with East Africa embassy bombings.
  • The U.S. State Department is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his capture.
  • Before 2001, he reported to Muhammed Atef on al-Qaeda's military committee.
  • Starting around 1990, he provided military and intelligence training to al-Qaeda and Egyptian Islamic Jihad members in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sudan.
  • He is skilled with explosives.
  • Identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in the attack on the USS Cole. In spring 2001, He assisted in production of a propaganda and recruiting video that include a re-enactment of the Cole bombing.1,2,3,5
    •  
    Possible
  • Saif al-Adel, along with Shaikh Saiid al-Masri and Abu Hafs the Mauritanian, reportedly opposed the Sept. 11 attacks within the al-Qaeda organization.
  • Al-Adel is said to have received explosives training in southern Lebanon from Hezbollah operatives during the early 1990s.
  • He may be under some form of house arrest in Iran. Some experts have suggested the Iranians are keeping him as a bargaining chip for negotiations with the United States.3,4
    •  
     
    Sources
    1 FBI 'Most wanted terrorist' online poster.
    2 United States vs. Osama bin Laden et. al. indictment. Nov. 4, 1998, and updates.
    3 Jamal al-Fadl testimony, United States vs. Osama bin Laden et al, trial transcript, Day 2, Feb. 6, 2001.
    4 The 9-11 Commission Final Report, July 22, 2004, Chapter 7.4.
    5 United States vs. Jamal al Badawi and Fahd al Quso, indictment, May 15, 2003.
    Photo: FBI
     
     
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