JIHADIST LEADERS #1: Abu Hammam al-Shami

Abu Hammam al-Shami, also known as Faruq al-Suri or Samir Hijazi is the Leader of the Jihadist organization Hurras al-Din (HaD), “Guardians of Religion”, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, and a veteran member of al-Qaeda (AQ).

Date of birth: 1977

Place of birth: Damascus, Syria.

Area of operations: Syria

Role: Leader/Emir of the group.

Group affiliation: Hurras al-Din (HaD)

Types of organisation: Non-state actor, armed group, jihadist

Ideology/affiliation: Jihadist, Salafist.

On 12 September 2019, the US State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme announced a $5 million reward to anyone who provided information leading to his capture. On 30 May 2022, he was placed on the European Union sanctions list.