The United States has designated Sami al-Areedi, a prominent leader in the Guardians of Religion group affiliated with al-Qaeda, as an international terrorist, noting that it has allocated a $5 million reward for information about him.
A statement issued by the US State Department on Tuesday stated:
• The United States remains committed to disrupting al-Qaeda affiliates who exploit ungoverned and conflict zones in Syria.
• Groups such as Guardians of Religion are responsible for killings, kidnappings, and violence targeting religious minorities.
• Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs classifies Sami Mahmoud Muhammad Al-Aridi as an international terrorist, for his leadership role in the “Guardians of Religion” group.
• The Ministry is also offering a reward of up to $5 million for information on Al-Areedi’s identity or location.
• As a result of this action, all property and interests of Al-Areedy that are subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and all US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him.
• Any US or foreign persons who engage in transactions with this person may be subject to the risk of sanctions.
The “Guardians of Religion” group was formed in Syria in 2018, following the defection of a number of leaders of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, following its announcement of disengagement from al-Qaeda.
The American Rewards for Justice website said that Al-Areedi “participated in terrorist plots against the United States and Israel,” describing him as “a senior Sharia official in the Guardians of Religion group and a member of its Shura Council, which is the group’s supreme decision-making body.”
According to the site, Al-Areedy, whose surname was Abu Mahmoud Al-Shami, was the first Sharia official in the Al-Nusra Front from 2014 to 2016, before he left it.
