Washington, DC - The Department of State has designated the Egyptian Ajnad Misr group, and Ibrahim al-Rubaysh, an al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) senior leader, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. 

The consequences of these designations include a prohibition against U.S. persons engaging in transactions with Ajnad Misr or al-Rubaysh, and the freezing of all property and interests of Ajnad Misr and al-Rubaysh that are in the United States, or come within the United States or the possession or control of U.S. persons. 

Ajnad Misr is an Egyptian violent extremist group that splintered from Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM), a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global entity.  Ajnad Misr officially announced its formation in January 2014, and has since claimed numerous attacks on Egyptian security forces at government buildings, public spaces and universities, often injuring or killing innocent bystanders.

Ibrahim al-Rubaysh is a senior leader of AQAP, a designated FTO and Specially Designated Global entity.  He serves as a senior advisor for AQAP operational planning and is involved in the planning of attacks.  He has served as a senior AQAP sharia official since 2013, and as a senior AQAP sharia official, al-Rubaysh provides the justification for attacks conducted by AQAP.  In addition, he has made public statements, including one in August 2014 where he called on Muslims to wage war against the United States.  In addition, since October 14, 2014, Ibrahim al-Rubaysh has been subject to a five million dollar Reward for Justice.