Akram al-Ajouri
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Akram al-Ajouri | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gaza |
| Allegiance | Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine (PIJ) |
Akram al-Ajouri (Arabic: أكرم العجوري) is a leader of Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine (PIJ) . Al-Ajouri is based in Damascus[1] and was unsuccessfully targeted in an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) airstrike on November 12, 2019, on the same day the IDF killed Baha Abu al-Ata. The IDF described al-Ajouri as a member of the PIJ's political bureau in Syria.[2] However, the airstrike on a building in Mezzeh area killed his son and daughter, and six were injured.[3] Clashes began between Gaza and Israel following his attempted killing and the killing of al-Ata.[4] As of 14 November 2023, al-Ajouri is designated as a terrorist by the United States State Department.[5]
On 24 February 2020 it was reported that he was targeted by an Israeli strike in Damascus, Syria.[6]
Military career
[edit]Since joining Jihad, Akram al-Ajouri has gradually risen through the ranks, initially holding ordinary positions before moving on to important positions, including being elected to the movement's political bureau abroad in late September 2018, as well as being a member of the movement's Shura Council and playing a role in financing and arming the movement.[7]
According to Israeli media, Tel Aviv holds Akram al-Ajouri “fully responsible” for the periodic rocket fire from the Gaza Strip on settlements around the Strip, and links him to the Iranian regime, accusing him of having “distinguished and strong relations” with Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and Lebanese Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.[8]
Assassination attempt
[edit]After emerging as one of the most important members of the Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine, Israel attempted to assassinate him on November 12, 2019, when it bombed his home in Daraya, Syria, but failed to do so; his son Moaz was killed and six others were injured, while al-Ajouri was unharmed.[9]
International Sanctions
[edit]As of 14 November 2023, al-Ajouri is designated as a terrorist by the United States State Department.[5]
On 13 December 2023, he was added to UK's International Counter-Terrorism List, making subject to a travel ban and assets freeze. This action was taken by the UK Foreign Office in response to the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Akram al-Ajouri". Mapping Palestinian Politics. November 14, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ Kershner, Isabel; Abuheweila, Iyad; Halbfinger, David M. (November 12, 2019). "Israel Kills Senior Islamic Jihad Commander in Gaza". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
- ^ "Islamic Jihad says senior commander targeted in Damascus strike, son killed". The Times of Israel. November 12, 2019. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
- ^ "Rocket sirens sound in Tel Aviv after Israel kills Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza". The Independent. November 12, 2019. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Executive Order 13224". United States Department of State. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ Julian, Hana Levi (February 24, 2020). "Report: Israel Strikes PIJ Targets in Syria and Gaza". The Jewish Press. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
- ^ "كيف إستهدفت اسرائيل قيادي"الجهاد" أكرم العجوري في دمشق". almodon.com.
- ^ "شخصيته غامضة.. من هو أكرم العجوري الذي حاولت "إسرائيل" اغتياله في دمشق؟ | الخليج أونلاين". الخليج أونلاين (in Arabic).
- ^ "من هو أكرم العجوري الذي نجا من محاولة اغتيال اسرائيلية في دمشق؟ - قناة العالم الاخبارية". Al-Alam News Network. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019.
- ^ "UK and US target Hamas with new sanctions to isolate terror group". GOV.UK. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
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