Tareq Kamleh
Tareq Kamleh is an Australian medical doctor who travelled to Syria to join the Islamic extremist group ISIL to work as a paediatric doctor. He first came to media attention in 2015 when he appeared in an Islamic State recruitment video in which he encouraged other doctors to join the cause.[4] The video, originally titled "Health services in the Islamic state // mandate of tenderness," shows Kamleh speaking to the camera in an "Islamic State Health Service"-run maternity ward in Raqqa.[5]
Tareq Kamleh | |
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Born | 1985/1986 (age 34–35)[1] |
Nationality | Australian |
Other names | |
Education |
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Alma mater | University of Adelaide |
Occupation | Paediatric Doctor (training incomplete) |
Criminal charge(s) | Terrorism |
Criminal status | At large Possibly dead (unverified) |
An arrest warrant was issued for Kamleh by an Adelaide court, citing alleged offences in Raqqa in April.[2] Kamleh has said he will never return to Australia, and that he no longer considered himself an Australian citizen.[3]
Early life
Kamleh's father grew up in Palestine and later moved to Australia. His German mother was Catholic but converted to Islam.[5] His former "playboy" lifestyle is often mentioned in the media.
Medical career in Australia
Kamleh graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2010 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.[6] He was contracted to Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide from February 2011 and started working at Mackay Base Hospital in Queensland from January 2013.[7] He has also worked at a hospital in Alice Springs. He is a registered doctor in Western Australia, however, the Medical Board of Australia took regulatory action over his medical registration, which has been suspended as of 30 September 2015.[2][8]
Report of death
In June 2018, several Islamic State fighters tweeted that Kamleh had been killed during the battle of Raqqa in September or October 2017.[3]
References
- Pedley, Derek (1 May 2015). "Star IS recruit Tarek Kamleh: From Adelaide party boy to Dr Evil". The Advertiser. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- Hancock, James (18 June 2015). "Arrest warrant issued for Australian doctor Tareq Kamleh for alleged terrorist role with Islamic State in Syria". ABC News. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- South Australian-trained doctor Abu Yusuf al-Australie reportedly killed in Syria fighting for ISIS (News.com.au)
- "Australia arrest warrant for 'IS medic' Tareq Kamleh". BBC News. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- Mills, Tammy; Hatch, Patrick; Olding, Rachel (28 April 2015). "Australian Islamic State doctor Tareq Kamleh's sudden change after mystery trip in 2013". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- McGheeurl, Ashlynne (27 April 2015). "Islamic State: Australian-trained doctor Tareq Kamleh appears in IS propaganda video urging jihad in Syria". ABC News.
- "Doctor in Islamic State recruitment video worked in Queensland hospital". Courier Mail. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- "Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Register of practitioners". Retrieved 21 October 2017.