Abu Yasir Hassan

Abu Yasir Hassan, also known as "Yaseer Hassan" or as "Abu Qasim",[1] is a Tanzanian national who currently serves as one of the leaders of the Islamic State's Mozambique province. By August 2020, the group had evolved into a proto-state after the group captured Mocímboa da Praia and several other areas of Cabo Delgado Province.[2][3][4]

Abu Yasir Hassan
Born1981 to 1983[1]
Tanzania
Allegiance Islamic State (IS)
RankLeader of IS forces in Mozambique
UnitAl-Shabaab
Islamic State's Central Africa Province
Battles/warsInsurgency in Cabo Delgado

Biography

Abu Yasir Hassan was born in Tanzania at some point between 1981 and 1983. He became the leader of al-Shabaab, an Islamic extremist sect and rebel group in Mozambique, around October 2017.[5] His force joined the Islamic State about 2018/2019.[1]

In March–April 2021, Abu Yasir Hassan co-commanded the rebel rebel attack on the town of Palma.[6]

Designation as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist'

In March 2021, he was designated as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' by the United States due to his activities in the insurgency and his known links to ISIL. The leader of ISIS in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, named Seka Musa Baluku, was also placed on the U.S State department's terrorist list due the group's actions in the Kivu Conflict and the Allied Democratic Forces insurgency.[7][8]

References
  1. "Abu Yasir Hassan". Counter Extremism. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  2. "Critical Threats" (PDF).
  3. "Africa File: The Islamic State comes to Mozambique". Critical Threats.
  4. "Cabo Ligado Weekly: 8-14 March 2021".
  5. Esau, Iain (March 11, 2021). "US designates ISIS-Mozambique and its Tanzanian leader as 'terrorists'". Upstream Online. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  6. Allan Olingo (28 August 2021). "Tanzania: Security Agony for Dar, Nairobi As Terror Suspects Sneak Back Home". The East African. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  7. Blinken, Antony J. (March 11, 2021). "Designation of Abu Yasir Hassan as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist". Federal Register. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  8. Office ot the Spokesperson (10 March 2021). "State Department Terrorist Designations of ISIS Affiliates and Leaders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mozambique". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
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