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An arrest in Lebanon lifts the veil on the life of Islamic State leader’s ex-wife An arrest in Lebanon lifts the veil on the life of Islamic State leader’s ex-wife
(about 11 hours later)
BEIRUT — For months, the ex-wife of perhaps the most wanted man in the world used Lebanon as a base to secretly transfer cash to Islamist militants, according to Lebanese military officials.BEIRUT — For months, the ex-wife of perhaps the most wanted man in the world used Lebanon as a base to secretly transfer cash to Islamist militants, according to Lebanese military officials.
They say that she concealed her identity with fake documents, which listed her as a Syrian citizen named Mallak Abdullah. Eventually, officials say, they discovered that she was Saja al-Dulaimi, an Iraqi who had been briefly married six years ago to the man who now heads the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In November, the army detained Dulaimi with a girl who is Baghdadi’s biological daughter, the officials say. She concealed her identity with fake documents, which listed her as a Syrian citizen named Mallak Abdullah, the officials said. Eventually, they said, they discovered that she was Saja al-Dulaimi, an Iraqi who had been briefly married six years ago to the man who now heads the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In November, the army detained Dulaimi with a girl who is Baghdadi’s biological daughter, the officials said.
The expanding investigation into Dulaimi has offered a rare peek into the family lives of Islamist extremists. Organizations like the Islamic State are known for portraying women in traditional roles — like cooking and cleaning for men. But the allegations against Dulaimi reflect how some women have assumed more dangerous jobs in militant Islamist groups. The investigation into Dulaimi has shed light on the murky ways in which Islamist militias move funds through the Middle East. It has also illustrated how the families of Syrian and Iraqi militants are quietly settling in Lebanon, hiding in refu­gee camps and the occasional Christian village. And it has yielded an intriguing profile of a woman who defies the image of submissive females in the jihadist world.
Dulaimi has had at least three husbands and lived in several countries in the region, according to the military officials. They describe her as strong-willed and independent. Military officials say that she transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past year to Sunni militants operating along Lebanon's border area with Syria. Dulaimi has had at least three husbands and lived in several countries in the region, according to the military officials. They described her as strong-willed and independent. Military officials said she transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past year to Sunni militants operating along Lebanon's border area with Syria.say
“She’s not your stereotypical woman” who supports militant Islam, said Fawaz A. Gerges, a professor of Middle East studies at the London School of Economics. He described her profile as that of an “honorary jihadi man” in the eyes of such groups. “She’s not your stereotypical woman” in the world of militant Islam, said Fawaz A. Gerges, a professor of Middle East studies at the London School of Economics. He described her profile as that of an “honorary jihadi man” in the eyes of such groups.
More such women are carrying out suicide operations and helping to collect intelligence and distribute funds for radical groups, he said.More such women are carrying out suicide operations and helping to collect intelligence and distribute funds for radical groups, he said.
Anxious Lebanese officials are now attempting to crack down on the families of Syrian and Iraqi militants who have moved here. Dulaimi has been charged in a Lebanese military court with financing terrorism, and denied access to a lawyer. For Lebanon, her case points to the challenge posed by the families of Syrian and Iraqi militants who have moved here. Dulaimi has been charged in a Lebanese military court with financing terrorism and has been denied access to a lawyer.
“Members of these terrorist groups are sending families here because it’s a safe place and it’s not hard to enter illegally,” said a military intelligence officer who is involved in the investigation of Dulaimi. Authorities worry that such relatives could expose this country still further to the violence that has wracked nearby nations. Dulaimi, who is in her 30s, was based in the impoverished mountain city of Arsal on the Syrian border, military officials said. She blended in easily in a makeshift encampment for Syrian refugees, who outnumber the 35,000 locals, a resident of the city said.
The militants’ families appear to have blended in easily among the more than 1.1 million Syrian refugees who have poured into Lebanon, a nation of just over 4 million people. “There are lots of people in these areas so she lived anonymously while she was here,” said the resident, who spoke anonymously out of concern for his safety.
The military officials say that Dulaimi, who is in her 30s, posed as a displaced Syrian and was based in the northern city of Arsal, on the Syrian border.
A resident of the city said that Dulaimi lived in a makeshift encampment for Syrian refugees, but people were unaware of her actual identity. The impoverished mountain city is full of tents and ramshackle housing for Syrians, who are now thought to outnumber Arsal’s roughly 35,000 Lebanese residents.
“There are lots of people in these areas so she lived anonymously while she was here,” the resident said, who spoke anonymously over concern for his safety.
Another Lebanese resident of Arsal said the town was home to many family members of extremists fighting in Syria.Another Lebanese resident of Arsal said the town was home to many family members of extremists fighting in Syria.
“We all know that the wives and families of the fighters and commanders are living in Arsal, because they don't have any other place to put them,” said the resident, who spoke on condition she was only identified by her first name, Bahjat. “We all know that the wives and families of the fighters and commanders are living in Arsal, because they don't have any other place to put them,” said the resident, who spoke on condition that she be identified only by her first name, Bahjat.
Dulaimi’s life story offers a glimpse into a culture of radicalism that has flourished in Iraq and Syria in recent years. About six years ago, Lebanese military officials said, Dulaimi married Baghdadi, who is originally from Samarra, a city north of Baghdad. The marriage lasted for only about three months, said Sheikh Hassan al-Dulaimi, a prominent elder from Iraq’s Anbar province who is from the same tribe as Saja, in a telephone interview.
About six years ago, Lebanese military officials say, Dulaimi married Baghdadi, who is originally from Samarra, a city north of Baghdad. It is unclear whether she is originally from Samarra or neighboring Anbar province. Lebanese officials said the union was pushed by Dulaimi’s father, Hamid Dulaimi. Marriages in Iraq’s tribal area can be politically motivated affairs, aimed at cementing ties between families, and Hamid Dulaimi may have sought an alliance with Baghdadi at a time when the younger man and other militants were incensed by the U.S. occupation and were gravitating to al-Qaeda in Iraq, the precursor to the group currently occupying chunks of Iraq and Syria.
Sheikh Hassan al-Dulaimi, a prominent elder who is from the same tribe, said by telephone that the marriage lasted for only about three months. He did not know precisely when they wed. But Labib Kamhawi, an analyst based in Jordan, said that it could have been Baghdadi who pushed for the union, given the prominence of Dulaimi’s tribe. He noted that Iraqi tradition allows for relatively easy divorce, making a breakup fairly simple.
It is unclear why the couple split up. Lebanese officials say the union was pushed by Dulaimi’s father, Hamid Dulaimi. Marriages in Iraq’s tribal area can be politically motivated affairs, aimed at cementing ties between families, and Hamid Dulaimi may have sought an alliance with Baghdadi at a time when the younger man and many other al-Qaeda-inspired militants were incensed by the U.S. occupation and gravitated to the Islamic State in Iraq, the precursor to the group currently occupying chunks of Iraq and Syria. The Lebanese military officials described Saja al-Dulaimi, whose face is not veiled, as strikingly beautiful. She was combative during her recent interrogation sessions, they said.
But Labib Kamhawi, an analyst based in Jordan, said that it could have been Baghdadi who pushed for the union, given the prominence of Dulaimi’s tribe. He noted that Iraqi tradition allows for relatively easy divorce, making a breakup fairly easy. “It’s because she’s committed to her beliefs,” said one of the officials involved with her case, referring to the militant Islamist cause. Like other officials interviewed for this article, he spoke on condition that his name not be used, citing a lack of authorization to discuss the issue.
The Lebanese military officials described Saja Dulaimi, whose face is not veiled, as strikingly beautiful. She was combative during her recent interrogation sessions, they said.
“It’s because she’s committed to her beliefs,” said one of the military officials involved with her case, referring to the militant Islamist cause. Like the other officials interviewed for this article, he spoke on condition his name would not be used, citing a lack of authorization to discuss the issue.
According to Lebanese officials, analysts and media reports, Dulaimi had been married to another Iraqi man before Baghdadi, and she had two sons from that relationship. Her daughter with Baghdadi is thought to be around 5 years old.According to Lebanese officials, analysts and media reports, Dulaimi had been married to another Iraqi man before Baghdadi, and she had two sons from that relationship. Her daughter with Baghdadi is thought to be around 5 years old.
Lebanese officials say that multiple members of Dulaimi’s family have participated in militant activities in Iraq and Syria. Hamid, the father, eventually pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, they say. He was killed more than a year ago while fighting near the Syrian city of Homs, according to officials. Lebanese officials said that multiple members of Dulaimi’s family have participated in militant activities in Iraq and Syria. Hamid, her father, eventually pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, they said. He was killed more than a year ago while fighting near the Syrian city of Homs, according to officials.
About that time, they say, Saja was apprehended by Syrian government forces near Homs, where she had been living with her father and sister. In March 2014, she was among 150 people whom the Syrian government freed in a prisoner swap with militants linked to Jabhat al-Nusra, who handed over a group of Greek Orthodox nuns, the officials said. About that time, they said, Saja was apprehended by Syrian government forces near Homs, where she had been living with her father and sister. In March 2014, she was among 150 people whom the Syrian government freed in a prisoner swap with militants linked to Jabhat al-Nusra, who handed over a group of Greek Orthodox nuns, the officials said.
She then moved to Lebanon.She then moved to Lebanon.
Authorities say Dulaimi moved money to militants operating along the border area with Syria. In August, the militants — linked to the Islamic State and al Qaeda’s Syria wing, Jabhat al-Nusra — besieged Arsal while Dulaimi was living there. The militants withdrew to Syria several days later, taking more than 20 Lebanese soldiers as prisoners. Authorities said Dulaimi moved money to militants operating along the border area with Syria. In August, the militants — linked to the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda’s Syria wing — besieged Arsal while Dulaimi was living there. The militants withdrew to Syria several days later, taking more than 20 Lebanese soldiers as prisoners.
“It’s clear that she was using banks and making transactions for the militants,” said a senior military intelligence official, who also has overseen the interrogations of Dulaimi at the defense ministry compound near Beirut. Some of the money that Dulaimi received came from residents of Persian Gulf countries, he added, refusing to provide details. Dulaimi received at least $200,000 via wire-transfer services and charity organizations, and then distributed the cash to fighters, said a senior military intelligence official, who also has been involved with the interrogations of Dulaimi at the Defense Ministry compound near Beirut.
Some of the money came from residents of Persian Gulf countries, he said, adding that it was sent to organizations in Lebanon that “work under the cover of aid for Syrian refugees.”
Saja could more easily move the money to militants because she is a woman, said Salem Zahran, a Lebanese analyst who is close to military officials. Conservative traditions make soldiers, most of them male, wary of searching females at checkpoints and border crossings, he said.
“Groups like al-Qaeda use women to exploit these traditions to their advantage, just like Saja did,” he said.
Lebanese security agencies discovered Dulaimi’s activities through a tip from a Western intelligence agency, said the military officials, who declined to identify it.Lebanese security agencies discovered Dulaimi’s activities through a tip from a Western intelligence agency, said the military officials, who declined to identify it.
The senior intelligence officer said DNA tests were carried out on Dulaimi and the young girl after they were detained in November. He added that the DNA samples of Baghdadi were obtained with assistance from an unspecified U.S. agency. A decade ago, Baghdadi was imprisoned in Iraq by U.S. forces, which may have collected DNA samples of detainees. Last month, Lebanese Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk Machnouk announced on local television that Dulaimi was indeed a former wife of Baghdadi, and the little girl was his daughter. The senior intelligence officer said DNA tests were carried out on Dulaimi and the young girl after they were detained in November. He added that the DNA samples of Baghdadi were obtained with assistance from an unspecified U.S. agency. A decade ago, Baghdadi was imprisoned in Iraq by U.S. forces, which may have collected DNA samples of detainees. Last month, Lebanese Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk announced on local television that Dulaimi was a former wife of Baghdadi and said the little girl was his daughter.
Lebanese authorities have apprehended family members of other militants linked to organizations like the Islamic State. They include the wife and children of an Islamic State-affiliated fighter named Anas Sharkas, known as Abu Ali al-Shishani, a nom de guerre. His family, all Syrian nationals, were detained recently while living in a predominantly Christian village in northern Lebanon. His wife has not been charged with a crime, and it appears she was not involved in militant activities. The authorities may be holding the family as bargaining chips for the release of the Lebanese soldiers kidnapped in Arsal, allegedly with Shishani’s involvement. Lebanese authorities have apprehended family members of other militants linked to organizations such as the Islamic State. They include the wife and children of an Islamic State-affiliated fighter named Anas Sharkas, known as Abu Ali al-Shishani, a nom de guerre. His family, all Syrians, were detained recently while living in a predominantly Christian village in northern Lebanon. His wife has not been charged with a crime, and it appears she was not involved in militant activities. The authorities may be holding the family as bargaining chips for the release of the Lebanese soldiers kidnapped in Arsal, allegedly with Shishani’s involvement.
Last month, Shishani threatened to kidnap Lebanese women and children if authorities did not release his family.Last month, Shishani threatened to kidnap Lebanese women and children if authorities did not release his family.
Baghdadi is not known to have issued any such threat after his daughter and ex-wife were detained. As for Dulaimi, she has moved on to another relationship, Lebanese military officials say. Baghdadi is not known to have issued any such threat after his daughter and ex-wife were detained. As for Dulaimi, she has moved on to another relationship, Lebanese military officials said.
After she arrived in Lebanon last year, she linked up with a man from a Palestinian refu­gee camp who had a history of militant activity, Lebanese military officials say. He has been arrested on allegations of aiding Dulaimi in financing the extremists, they say, adding that she is now pregnant with his child. After she arrived in Lebanon last year, she linked up with a man from a Palestinian refu­gee camp who had a history of militant activity, Lebanese military officials said. He has been arrested on allegations of aiding Dulaimi in financing the extremists, they said, adding that she is now pregnant with his child.
“What we are dealing with here are literally the children of al-Qaeda,” said a high-ranking army officer.“What we are dealing with here are literally the children of al-Qaeda,” said a high-ranking army officer.