FBI Most Wanted Terrorists

The FBI Most Wanted Terrorists is a list created and first released on October 10, 2001, with the authority of United States President Bush, following the September 11 attacks on the United States. Initially, the list contained 22 of the top suspected terrorists chosen by the FBI, all of whom had earlier been indicted for acts of terrorism between 1985 and 1998. None of the 22 had been captured by US or other authorities by that date. Of the 22, only Osama bin Laden was by then already listed on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Banner used by the FBI since inception on October 10, 2001 as the main title for the web site pages of both the group of wanted terrorists, and also on the wanted poster of each suspected terrorist fugitive. The three overlapping seals on the left are the seal of the U.S. Department of State (similar to the Great Seal of the United States) and the seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation while on the right is the seal of the U.S. Department of Justice

No particular legal consequences flowed from the creation of and inclusion on the list. On January 17, 2002, the FBI released a third major FBI wanted list, which has now become known as the FBI Seeking Information – War on Terrorism list, to enlist the public's help in reporting information which may prevent future terrorist attacks. The information sought to be reported is not necessarily relating to any person on any of the FBI wanted lists.

Initial persons alleged to be terrorist fugitives

On the fugitive group wanted poster, the FBI did not list the persons in any particular stated order, except perhaps for the consistent placing of bin Laden in the number one position of the top row. However, the 22 can easily fit into distinct categories over the two decades, based on the terrorist attacks in which they were, according to US authorities, involved.

For organization and ease of reference here, the relevant major terrorist attacks are listed by date below, with a brief summary for each, identifying the terror cells most directly responsible for the attack. The 22 on the list are then grouped beneath the attack for which each person was first accused of involvement.[1]

Photo Name Alleged terrorist activity Date of activity Status
Hassan Izz-Al-Din
 Hasan Izz-Al-Din TWA Flight 847 June 14, 1985 At large
Thought to be living in Lebanon.[2]
Abdul Rahman Yasin in 2002
 Abdul Rahman Yasin 1993 World Trade Center bombing November 17, 1996 At large
Accused of constructing bombs in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Aliff was allegedly a prisoner of Saddam Hussein in 2003, but has since gone missing from Iraq. He was not located during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Khalid Shaikh Mohammed
 Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Bojinka plot 1994–1995 Captured
Captured in Pakistan on March 1, 2003.
Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Mughassil Khobar Towers bombing June 25, 1996 At Large
Al-Mughassil was captured in Lebanon on August 7, 2015 and extradited to Saudi Arabia.[3] However, he was not taken into US custody and is still listed as wanted.
Ali Saed Bin Ali El-Hoorie Khobar Towers bombing June 25, 1996 At large
 Ibrahim Salih Mohammed Al-Yacoub Khobar Towers bombing June 25, 1996 At large
Wanted for Conspiracy to Kill U.S. Nationals; Conspiracy to Murder U.S. Employees; Conspiracy to Use Weapons of Mass Destruction Against U.S. Nationals; Conspiracy to Destroy Property of the U.S.; Conspiracy to Attack National Defense Utilities; Bombing Resulting in Death; Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction Against U.S. Nationals; Murder While Using Destructive Device During a Crime of Violence; Murder of Federal Employees; Attempted Murder of Federal Employees
Abdelkarim Hussein Mohamed Al-Nasser Khobar Towers bombing June 25, 1996 At large
Mohammed Atef
 Mohammed Atef 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 Killed
Killed in Afghanistan on November 14, 2001 by a Predator missile attack on his home outside of Kabul.
Osama bin Laden
 Osama bin Laden 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 Killed
Killed by U.S. Navy Seals in a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan; announced dead May 2, 2011.[4][5] He was placed on the Most Wanted Terrorists list for his involvement in the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.[1]
Ayman al-Zawahiri
 Ayman al-Zawahiri 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 At large
Osama bin-Laden's successor as Al-Qaeda's chieftain, Ayman al-Zawahiri is under indictment in the United States for his suspected role in the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya. The Rewards for Justice Program of the U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to US$25 million for information about his location and capture.[6]
Fazul Abdullah Mohammed 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 Killed
Reports surfaced on June 11, 2011 that he was killed in Somalia.[7] Kenyan police stated, through DNA testing, that they were certain he was killed by Somalian forces on June 8.[7] Officially listed as deceased on the FBI website by June 12.[6]
Mustafa Mohamed Fadhil
 Mustafa Mohamed Fadhil 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 Killed
Killed in Afghanistan.[8][9][10] He was removed from the list in May 2005.
Fahid Mohammed Ally Msalam
 Fahid Mohammed Ally Msalam 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 Killed
Killed January 1, 2009, in an unmanned aerial strike in Pakistan along with Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan.[11]
Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani
 Ahmed Ghailani 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 Captured
Captured in Pakistan on July 25, 2004, and later held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Ghailani was tried by a civilian court in New York in 2010 and convicted of conspiring to bomb the American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. The jury however acquitted him of all other 284 charges, including attempted murder.[12]
Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 Killed
Killed January 1, 2009, in an unmanned aerial strike in Pakistan along with Fahid Mohammed Ali Musallam.[11]
Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah
 Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 At large
Anas al-Liby 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 Dead
Al-Liby was captured in Tripoli, Libya on October 5, 2013 by Delta Force commandos.[13] Abu Anas al Liby died on January 2, 2015 at a hospital in New York, aged 50, while in United States custody. He had liver disease as a result of hepatitis C.[14]
Saif al-Adel 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 At large
Ahmed Mohammed Hamed Ali
 Ahmed Mohammed Hamed Ali 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 Killed
Reported as killed in a drone strike in 2010 in Pakistan by the National Counterterrorism Center.[15][16] He was removed from the list in 2012.
Muhsin Musa Matwalli Atwah
 Muhsin Musa Matwalli Atwah 1998 United States embassy bombings August 7, 1998 Killed
Killed April 12, 2006 along with 6 other alleged militants by Pakistani forces in a helicopter gunship raid on the village of Naghar Kalai near the Afghan border. Villagers reported that armed men removed the bodies.[17] Atwah's death was confirmed by US officials on October 24, 2006, following DNA testing, and he was removed from the list.[18]

FBI Seeking Information – War on Terrorism list

Whereas the Most Wanted Terrorists list is reserved for terrorist fugitives who have been indicted by federal grand juries, the FBI recognized a further need to achieve a much quicker response time in order to prevent any future attacks which may be in the current planning stages. To enlist the public's help in this effort, the FBI sought a way to deliver the early known suspected terror attack information, often very limited, out to the public as quickly as possible. So, on January 17, 2002, the third major FBI wanted list was first released, which has now become known as the FBI Seeking Information – Terrorism list.

As the name of this list implies, the FBI's intent is to acquire any critical information from the public, as soon as possible, about the suspected terrorists, who may be in the planning stages of terror attacks against United States nationals at home and abroad. The first such list profiled five persons about whom little was known, but who were suspected of plotting terrorist attacks in martyrdom operations. The main evidence against the five was five videos they had produced, found in the rubble of Mohammed Atef's destroyed home outside Kabul, Afghanistan.

Additions to the list

By 2006, more than four years had passed since the FBI had listed the original 22 alleged terrorists on the Most Wanted Terrorist list. Of those 22, by then four had been qualified for removal from the list, due to death or capture. Also by then, the FBI determined that new persons qualified to be listed as Most Wanted Terrorists. Some of these persons were indicted for attacks and plots that had taken place since the original list had been compiled. The original indictments had been for incidents only through 1998. Since then, the U.S. had become victim to at least two major terror attacks, which would generate some of the new indictments for the Most Wanted Terrorists, notably:

  • USS Cole bombing in 2000, which killed 17 American sailors and wounded 40 on October 12, 2000, off the port coast of Aden, Yemen
  • September 11, 2001 attacks in Manhattan, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania

In addition, after the original 2001 list had been compiled and released to the public, the U.S. had foiled and issued indictments for numerous other plots, involving some new listed Most Wanted Terrorists. Those notable other plots involved:[19]

In February 2006, the FBI completed two groups of additions to the Most Wanted Terrorists list, the first such additions in over four years. On February 24, 2006, the day after adding two name to the list, the FBI added an additional six fugitive terrorists, for various plots and attacks. One of the entries was for an indictment dating back to the June 14, 1985, hijacking of TWA flight 847 by Hezbollah (see above).

Additionally, the FBI also added to the Seeking Information – War on Terrorism list an additional three persons, most notably, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the notorious leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.[20] This marked the first time that al-Zarqawi had appeared on any of the three major FBI wanted lists. On June 8, 2006, ABC News reported that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was confirmed to have been killed in Baghdad in a bombing raid by a United States task force. His death was confirmed by multiple sources in Iraq, including the United States government.

Photo Name Alleged terrorist activity Date of Activity Date Added to List Status
Jamel Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al-Badawi
 Jamal Ahmad Mohammad Al Badawi USS Cole bombing October 12, 2000 February 23, 2006 Killed
Rewards for Justice offered $5 million for information leading to his capture or conviction.[6] He was killed in a drone strike in January 2019 in Ma'rib Governorate, Yemen.[21][22]
Jaber A. Elbaneh
 Jaber A. Elbaneh Buffalo Six Sometime in 2002 February 23, 2006 At large
Surrendered to Yemeni authorities on May 20, 2007.[23] However, he was not taken into US custody and is still listed as wanted.
Mohammed Ali Hammadi
 Mohammed Ali Hamadei TWA Flight 847 June 14, 1985 February 24, 2006 At large
Rewards for Justice offering $5 million for information leading to his capture or conviction.[6] Thought to be in Lebanon.[24]
 Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah Palestinian Islamic Jihad, on RICO Since 1995 February 24, 2006 Deceased
Wanted for conspiracy to conduct the affairs of the designated international terrorist organization known as the "Palestinian Islamic Jihad". Shalah was reported to have died on June 6, 2020 in Lebanon after a long illness.[25]
Abd Al Aziz Awda Palestinian Islamic Jihad, on RICO Since 1995 February 24, 2006 At large
Khadafi Abubakar Janjalani
 Khadafi Abubakar Janjalani Abu Sayyaf kidnaps & murders in the Philippines Early 1990s - 2000s (decade) February 24, 2006 Killed
Died of gunshot wounds on September 4, 2006. Philippine marines found the remains of his body on December 27, 2006. Death was confirmed by DNA testing on January 20, 2007.[26][27] Listed as deceased as of January 22, 2007. Removed from list as of February 21.
Jainal Antel Sali
 Jainal Antel Sali Abu Sayyaf kidnaps & murders in the Philippines Early 1990s - 2000s (decade) February 24, 2006 Killed
Killed by Philippines special forces on January 16, 2007.[28]
Isnilon Totoni Hapilon
 Isnilon Totoni Hapilon Abu Sayyaf kidnaps & murders in the Philippines Early 1990s - 2000s (decade) February 24, 2006 Killed
Killed by the Philippine Army on October 16, 2017.[29]
Adam Yahiye Gadahn
 Adam Yahiye Gadahn Treason 2003–2015 October 11, 2006 Killed
Gadahn was removed by the FBI from the Seeking Information - War on Terrorism list on October 11, 2006, and placed instead on the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists list.[30] Also, on October 11, 2006, Gadahn was indicted on a treason charge by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana, California making him the first American charged with treason since 1952.[31] Rewards for Justice offered $1 million for information leading to his capture.[6] He was killed in a drone strike in Pakistan in January 2015.[32]
Daniel Andreas San Diego
 Daniel Andreas San Diego Chiron and Shaklee bombings August 28, 2003
September 26, 2003		 April 11, 2009 At large
San Diego was added to the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists list in connection with two Animal Liberation Brigade bombings in Northern California in 2003. He is the second United States citizen, and the first domestic terrorist, to appear on the list.[33][34] The FBI is offering $250,000.00 for information leading to his arrest.[6]
Fahd al-Quso USS Cole bombing October 12, 2000 November 2, 2009 Killed
Sought for his role in the October 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen, in which 17 American sailors were killed.[35] Rewards for Justice offered $5 million for information leading to his capture or conviction [6] He was killed in a drone strike in Yemen on May 6, 2012.
Husayn Muhammed al-Umari Pan Am Flight 830 Bombing August 11, 1982 November 2, 2009 At large
Also known as Abu Ibrahim, is wanted in connection with the 1982 bombing of Pan Am Flight 830.[35][36]
Wadoud Muhammad Hafiz Al-Turki Pan Am Flight 73 September 5, 1986 December 3, 2009 At large
Wanted for his role in the hijacking of Pan American World Airways Flight 73.[37]
Jamal Saeed Abdul Rahim Pan Am Flight 73 September 5, 1986 December 3, 2009 At large[38]
Wanted for his role in the hijacking of Pan American World Airways Flight 73.[37]
Muhammad Abdullah Khalil Hussain Ar-Rahayyal Pan Am Flight 73 September 5, 1986 December 3, 2009 At large
Wanted for his role in the hijacking of Pan American World Airways Flight 73.[37]
Muhammad Ahmed Al-Munawar Pan Am Flight 73 September 5, 1986 December 3, 2009 At large
Wanted for his role in the hijacking of Pan American World Airways Flight 73.[37]
Adnan G. El Shukrijumah
 Adnan Gulshair el Shukrijumah New York City Subway suicide bomb planning September 2009 July 8, 2010 Killed
Wanted for his alleged role in the plot against New York City's subway system, uncovered in September 2009.[39] He was killed in a manhunt operation by Pakistan in South Waziristan on 6 December 2014.[40]
Assata Shakur
 Assata Shakur (née JoAnne Deborah Byron, married name Joanna Chesimard) Murder of Trooper Werner Foerster on May 2, 1973 May 2, 1973 May 2, 2013 At large
Former Black Liberation Army member openly living in Cuba after she escaped from a New Jersey prison in 1979. Two million dollar reward offered.[41]

Rewards

Since 1984, the United States government has also used the Rewards for Justice Program, which pays monetary rewards of up to $5 million, or now, in some cases more, upon special authorization by the United States Secretary of State, to individuals who provide information which substantially leads to countering of terrorist attacks against United States persons. More than $100 million had been paid to over 60 people through this program.[42]

The Rewards for Justice Program was established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism, Public Law 98-533, and is administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, within the U.S. Department of State.[42]

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See also
Captured al-Qaeda terrorists

References
  1. "Most wanted terrorists list released". CNN. October 1, 2001. Archived from the original on July 14, 2008. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
  2. "Fbi — Hasan Izz-Al-Din". Fbi.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
  3. "With Khobar Bomber's Arrest, Saudi Arabia Deals Blow to Iran". U.S. News & World Report. September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  4. "Operation was designed to kill bin Laden, source says". CNN.com. May 2, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2011.
  5. "Osama Bin Laden Killed By Navy SEALs in Firefight". ABC.com. May 2, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
  6. "Most Wanted Terrorists". FBI.gov. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  7. "AFP: Al-Qaeda's E. Africa chief believed dead: US official". Google. June 11, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗪𝗜𝗥𝗘 -- Open-source intelligence, primary source documents, analysis by J.M. Berger, co-author of ISIS: The State of Terror, author of Jihad Joe: Americans Who Got to War in the Name of Islam" (PDF). americanjihadists.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 16, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  10. "Recommendation for Continued Detention Under DoD Control" (PDF). Department of Defense. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  11. "Two Top Al Qaeda Terrorists Killed in Missile Attack". FOX News. January 8, 2009. Archived from the original on January 11, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
  12. Charlie Savage (November 18, 2010). "Terror Verdict Tests Obama's Strategy on Civilian Trials". The New York Times. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  13. "Man Sought In '98 Attacks On Embassies Is Seized". NY Times. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  14. "Suspected Plotter of U.S. Embassy Attacks Abu Anas Al-Libi Dies in New York - NBC News". Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  15. "Report: Drone strikes killing few leaders". United Press International, Inc. February 21, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  16. "Increased U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan killing few high-value militants". The Washington Post. February 20, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
  17. Pakistan: Al-Qaeda militant killed near border, Associated Press, USA April 13, 2006
  18. One of FBI's 'Most Wanted Terrorists' confirmed dead, CNN, October 24, 2006
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  21. https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/04/politics/uss-cole-al-badawi-killed/index.html
  22. http://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/STATEMENTS/Statements-View/Article/1725215/uscentcom-confirms-the-death-of-jamal-al-badawi/
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  25. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/former-chief-of-palestinian-islamic-jihad-dies-report/
  26. "U.S. Confirm Abu Sayyaf Leader's Death". ABC News. Manila, Philippines. Associated Press. January 20, 2007. Archived from the original on January 21, 2007.
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  28. Jim Gomez (January 17, 2007). "Philippines says militant's death a blow". Associated Press. Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on January 18, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  29. "Philippines military 'kills Islamist Isnilon Hapilon'". BBC News. October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  30. American Al-Qaeda Member Gadahn Charged With Treason by U.S., Bloomberg, By Robert Schmidt, October 11, 2006
  31. American Al Qaeda Member to Be Indicted for Treason Archived February 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Fox News, October 12, 2006
  32. Greg Botelho and Ralph Ellis. "American mouthpiece for al Qaeda killed". CNN. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  33. "Daniel Andreas San Diego Added to FBI's 'Most Wanted Terrorists' List". BackgroundNow.com. April 21, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  34. "Animal rights activist on FBI's 'Most Wanted Terrorists' list". CNN. April 21, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  35. Two Names Added to List, FBI.gov, November 24, 2009, retrieved May 20, 2010
  36. Rewards for Justice - Husayn Muhammed al-Umari Reward Offer, U.S. State Department, November 24, 2009, retrieved May 20, 2010
  37. Rewards for Justice - Reward Offer for Pan Am Flight 73 Hijackers, U.S. State Department, December 3, 2009, retrieved May 20, 2010
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  39. "Adnan G. el Shukrijumah". FBI.gov. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  40. "Top Al Qaeda Commander Adnan el Shukrijumah Killed: Pakistan Army". NBC News.
  41. Jones, David (May 2, 2013). "New Jersey trooper's killer is first woman on FBI most wanted terror list". Reuters. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  42. "Rewards for Justice: Program Overview". Rewards for Justice. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
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