Air strikes in Syria hit Khorasan group - but who are they?
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WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2014When President Obama announced that US and Arab warplanes had begun strikes against IS in Syria, he also said the US strikes had targeted the little-known Khorasan group. But who are they?
What is the Khorasan?
The "Khorasan group" is a network of "seasoned al-Qaeda veterans" operating out of Syria.
The phrase has been coined by US officials, who say the cell poses an "imminent threat" to the US and its western allies.
Intelligence about the activities of the Khorasan group is said to have contributed to the ban on uncharged mobile phones on planes introduced in July.
The phrase has been coined by US officials, who say the cell poses an "imminent threat" to the US and its western allies.
Intelligence about the activities of the Khorasan group is said to have contributed to the ban on uncharged mobile phones on planes introduced in July.
Where is the group based?
The group has been establishing roots in north-west Syria, where they have found a 'safe haven' amid the ongoing conflict.
They have attempted to recruit Americans and Europeans, whose passports allow them to travel more easily into the countries they want to target.
The majority of the militants have come from the Afghanistan and Pakistan region.
They have attempted to recruit Americans and Europeans, whose passports allow them to travel more easily into the countries they want to target.
The majority of the militants have come from the Afghanistan and Pakistan region.
Who is their leader?
Muhsin al-Fadhli was the alleged leader of the Khorasan.
The 33-year-old jihadi had close links to Osama bin Laden, as one of a small circle of militants who knew about the 9/11 attacks before they took place.
Al-Fadhli is thought to have moved to Syria from Iran, where he until recently led the Iranian branch of al-Qaeda.
The 33-year-old jihadi had close links to Osama bin Laden, as one of a small circle of militants who knew about the 9/11 attacks before they took place.
Al-Fadhli is thought to have moved to Syria from Iran, where he until recently led the Iranian branch of al-Qaeda.
On Wednesday a US official said the United States believed it had killed al-Fadhli in its air attack two days earlier.
