Abu Sulayman Muhajir, a former preacher from Sydney, is the first Australian citizen to be placed on a kill list by the US military, The Australian has reported.
The Egyptian-Australian travelled to Syria in 2012 and has since risen through the ranks of the terror group. He is now a leading figure in al Qaeda’s Syrian arm, Jabhat al-Nusra.
He spoke with SBS earlier this year, telling reporter Nagieb Khaja that his forces have now developed a rivalry with former allies Islamic State.
Abu Sulayman was a mediator between the two groups as they attempted to reconcile, but ultimately sided with Nusra.
“All Islamic movements around the world want an Islamic State,” he said.
“But the IS group have defined themselves as the exclusive bearers of Islam, delegitimising the rest of the Muslim community.”
