Khaled Sharrouf
{{Short description|Jihadist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Khaled Sharrouf
| caption =
| native_name =
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| birth_date = 23 February 1981
| birth_place = Auburn, New South Wales, Australia
| disappeared_date = 2015
| disappeared_place =
| disappeared_status = Presumed dead by drone strike or by airstrike
| death_date = Presumed 2015 or 2017
| death_place = Syria
| death_cause =
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| other_names =
| citizenship = Syria
Australia (1981-2017)
| education =
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| known_for = Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant member, 2012 Sydney protests
| movement = Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
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| spouse = Tara Nettleton (deceased)
| children = 5
}}
Khaled Sharrouf (born 23 February 1981) was an Australian Jihadist who in 2013 travelled to Syrian territory to fight in the Syrian Civil War on the side of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Islamic State). Born in Sydney, Australia, in 2017 he was the first Australian dual-national to have his Australian citizenship revoked under anti-terror legislation passed in 2015. In 2014, he posted an image to the Internet showing his seven-year-old son holding the severed head of a Syrian soldier, an act that was widely condemned.
He was reportedly killed in June 2015, and again in August 2017, but his death has remained unverified.
Early life
Growing up in the 1980s, Sharrouf had a dysfunctional childhood, reportedly living a troubled youth filled with crime and mental illness. He was abandoned by his father for a period. During his teens, he both used and dealt drugs. He did not grow up as a practising Muslim. Jamal Rifi, a local GP, said that Sharrouf was initially diagnosed as having depression, but later believed that it was schizophrenia.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/the-life-and-crimes-of-australian-jihadist-khaled-sharrouf/5670312|title=The life and crimes of Australian jihadist Khaled Sharrouf|date=2014-08-14|work=Radio National|access-date=2018-08-10|language=en-AU}}
Imam Sheikh Taj El-Din Hilaly described Sharrouf "as an empty vase, which could be filled with anything, and it was filled with rubbish ideology."
In 2005, Sharrouf was arrested at his home in Wiley Park along with eight others during an Australian anti-terror investigation code-named Operation Pendennis. He was imprisoned for four years and released on parole in 2009 after a judge and psychiatrist "cautiously believed" that he would "abandon his radical beliefs."{{cite news|last1=Olding|first1=Rachel|title=Terrifying legacy emerges from success of Operation Pendennis|url=https://www.smh.com.au/nsw/terrifying-legacy-emerges-from-success-of-operation-pendennis-20140821-106ow0.html|access-date=14 February 2017|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=24 August 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/khaled-sharrouf|title=Khaled Sharrouf|publisher=Counter Extremism Project}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/national/the-sydney-suspects/2005/11/11/1131578232151.html|title=The Sydney suspects|publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=12 November 2005}} After his release from prison, Sharrouf was employed for some time by George Alex; Alex was later convicted of money laundering and tax evasion during this period.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/i-love-a-cunning-plan-how-crime-boss-cut-cfmeu-endorsed-and-tax-dodging-deals-20240829-p5k69o.html|title=‘I love a cunning plan’: How crime boss cut CFMEU-endorsed and tax-dodging deals|publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=3 September 2024}}
Sharrouf was involved in planning the 2012 Sydney protests regarding the film Innocence of Muslims.{{cite news|title=How the Hyde Park riot fired up two Australian Muslim terrorists, Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/how-the-hyde-park-riot-fired-up-two-australian-muslim-terrorists-khaled-sharrouf-and-mohamed-elomar/news-story/f40eb8b22895a64db0cadced44425059?=|access-date=19 January 2016|publisher=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|date=1 Oct 2014}}
=In Syria=
Sharrouf travelled from Sydney Airport to ISIL-controlled territory on 6 December 2013 using his brother's passport.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-15/islamic-state:-khaled-sharrouf-assessed-in-two-minutes/6548180|title=Islamic State: Khaled Sharrouf passed airport checks, evaded authorities in less than two minutes|publisher=ABC News|date=16 June 2015}} He later joined the group in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/IslamicState.aspx|title=Australian National Security – Islamic State|work=Australian Government|access-date=26 July 2014|archive-date=8 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708054051/https://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/IslamicState.aspx}} His activities received wide coverage in Australia in August 2014 after he posted a photo of his son holding a severed head. The incident was condemned by Australian leaders and by the public.{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/nsw/khaled-sharroufs-sister-describes-his-actions-fighting-with-islamic-state-as-abhorrent-20141002-10pbir.html |title=Khaled Sharrouf's sister describes his actions fighting with IS as 'abhorrent'|work=smh.com.au |date=2 October 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/jihads-child-soldiers-spark-calls-for-action-on-extremists/story-e6frg8yo-1227021107132|title=Jihad's 'child soldiers' spark calls for action on extremists|author=Maley, Paul |date=12 August 2014 |work=The Australian |access-date=12 August 2014}} The incident raised concerns about Australian Muslims being recruited for terrorist activity abroad, and the possibility that the recruits would return to Australia and conduct attacks.{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/returned-radicalised-jihadis-a-significant-risk-says-asio/story-e6frg8yo-1226991564685|title=Returned radicalised jihadis 'a significant risk', says ASIO|author=Brendan Nicholson|date=July 17, 2014 |work=The Australian |access-date=26 July 2014}}
Sharrouf was reported to have been killed on 19 June 2015 by a drone strike.{{cite news |last1=Welch|first1=Dylan |title=Khaled Sharrouf may have been targeted in drone strike months before his death, barrister says |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-23/sharrouf-possibly-targeted-in-airstrike-before-death-says-lawyer/6568322 |access-date=3 October 2015 |publisher=ABC|date=24 June 2015}} His death was not confirmed, and later reports suggested that he was still alive.{{cite news |title=Terrorist Khaled Sharrouf still alive after drone attack that killed Mohamed Elomar |url=http://www.news.com.au/world/terrorist-khaled-sharrouf-still-alive-after-drone-attack-that-killed-mohamed-elomar/story-fndir2ev-1227418515605 |access-date=3 October 2015 |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Limited |date=28 June 2015 |archive-date=15 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015071248/http://www.news.com.au/world/terrorist-khaled-sharrouf-still-alive-after-drone-attack-that-killed-mohamed-elomar/story-fndir2ev-1227418515605 }} The Australian government was unable to confirm his death.{{cite news|last1=Ferrier|first1=Tracey|title=Who is Khaled Sharrouf and is he alive?|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/who-is-khaled-sharrouf-and-is-he-alive/news-story/557bc5620352591e698dcadbf7a31858|access-date=12 May 2017|work=NewsComAu|agency=Australian Associated Press|date=30 April 2017|language=en|archive-date=3 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503095839/http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/who-is-khaled-sharrouf-and-is-he-alive/news-story/557bc5620352591e698dcadbf7a31858}}
With Mohamed Elomar, Sharrouf posted photographs of severed heads or dead and mutilated bodies.
In February 2017, he was the first person to have his Australian citizenship revoked under new anti-terror laws passed in 2015.{{cite news|last1=Maley|first1=Paul|title=Khaled Sharrouf stripped of citizenship under anti-terror laws|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/khaled-sharrouf-stripped-of-citizenship-under-antiterror-laws/news-story/c82f008e768ae74f7798af983c4d2051|access-date=14 February 2017|work=The Australian |date=11 February 2016 |url-access=subscription }}{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Jacqueline|title=ISIS Fighter's Australian Citizenship Is Revoked Under Antiterror Laws|work=New York Times|date=13 February 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Benson|first1=Simon|last2=Maley|first2=Paul|last3=Bearup|first3=Greg (additional reporting) |title=Aussie intel pinpointed Sharrouf for US strike|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/national-security/australian-intelligence-pinpointed-khaled-sharrouf-for-us-strike/news-story/46525e979fef4e0e27ebc0d47444a75b |access-date=30 August 2017 |work=The Australian (www.theaustralian.com.au) |publisher=News Corp |date=17 August 2017 |url-access=subscription }}
On 11 August 2017, he was reported to have been killed by a coalition airstrike while driving near Raqqa, Syria, along with two of his sons.{{cite news |last1=Welch|first1=Dylan |last2=Dredge|first2=Suzanne |title=Australian terrorist Khaled Sharrouf believed to have been killed in air strike |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-16/khaled-sharrouf-believed-to-have-been-killed/8812600 |access-date=16 August 2017 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=16 August 2017}} When questioned, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton said that Sharrouf's death would be nothing to mourn.
Personal life
Sharrouf was married to Tara Nettleton, an Australian woman. In 2014 she brought to the Islamic State their five children: Zaynab, Hoda, Abdullah, Zarqawi and Hamzah.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/16/khaled-sharrouf-australian-isis-terrorist-killed-in-syria-reports|title=Khaled Sharrouf, Australian Isis terrorist, killed in Syria – reports |work=The Guardian |access-date=16 August 2017 |date=16 August 2017}} In 2015, it was reported that Nettleton wanted to return with her five children to Australia.{{Citation
| last =McKenzie
| first =Nick
| date =May 27, 2015
| title =IS fighter Khaled Sharrouf's wife and children seek return to Australia
| publisher = SMH
| url =https://www.smh.com.au/national/is-fighter-khaled-sharroufs-wife-and-children-seek-return-to-australia-20150526-gha5fy.html
}} According to a family friend, Nettleton died in 2015, which her mother, Karen Nettleton, learned about January 2016. Nettleton is believed to have died in Syria following complications from appendix surgery.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/tara-nettleton-widow-of-australian-islamic-state-terrorist-dies-in-syria-20160210-gmqv5t.html|title=Tara Nettleton, widow of Australian Islamic State terrorist, dies in Syria |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=16 August 2017|date=11 February 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/11/tara-nettleton-widow-of-isis-fighter-khaled-sharrouf-dies-in-syria-reports|title=Tara Nettleton, widow of Isis fighter Khaled Sharrouf, dies in Syria – reports|work=The Guardian |access-date=16 August 2017 |date=10 February 2016}}
The two oldest boys, Abdullah and Zarqawi, began attending IS training camps.{{Citation
| last =Welch
| first =Dylan
| date =June 24, 2019
| title =Sharrouf children among Australian orphans freed from Syrian warzone in secret rescue mission
| publisher =ABC
| location =United States
| url =https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-24/australian-orphans-freed-from-syrian-warzone/11239534
| access-date =June 24, 2019
}} They reportedly died with their father in the 2017 Raqqa airstrike. Sharrouf's eldest daughter Zaynab was married to an ISIL jihadist at 13 years old and gave birth to a child at 14 years old. The father was Mohamed Elomar, an Australian ISIS fighter and friend of her father. After Elomar was killed in an airstrike around 2015, Zaynab married another friend of her father and had another child. After the Sharrouf children were orphaned, they fled Zaynab's husband in Baghouz in March 2019. In April 2019, the Sharrouf children were reunited with their Australian grandmother in a camp in Syria, expressing the urge to return to Australia. The Australian prime minister Scott Morrison at the time said such an extraction was too dangerous, while the Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten called for the children to be allowed home.{{Citation
| last =Bourke
| first =Latika
| date =April 15, 2019
| title ='When the hell are we getting back home': Khaled Sharrouf's children speak
| publisher =SMH
| location =Sydney, Australia
| url =https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/when-the-hell-are-we-getting-back-home-khaled-sharrouf-s-children-speak-20190415-p51ego.html
| access-date =June 24, 2019
}}
On 24 June 2019, it was reported that eight Australian children had been evacuated from a Syrian refugee camp, including three orphaned children of Khaled Sharrouf. The Australian government evacuated the children secretly while working with aid groups. The eldest child had two children of her own, also evacuated.{{Citation
| date =June 23, 2019
| title =Australian children of IS militants rescued from Syria camp
| publisher =BBC
| location =United Kingdom
| url =https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-48737717
| access-date =June 24, 2019
}} Zaynab Sharrouf was also heavily pregnant at the time of the rescue, which took place on 23 June at 16:30 Australian Eastern Standard Time in Northern Syria. It was the "first organised return of Australians from the conflict zone." At the time, The Australian said that around 70 Australians were in refugee camps or detention centers in northern Syria.{{Citation
| last =Maley
| first =Paul
| date =June 24, 2019
| title =Terrorists' Aussie kids rescued from Syrian camp
| publisher =The Australian
| location =Australia
| url =https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/terrorists-children-rescued-from-camps/news-story/49fcd1cba4002e98348b9fdf4a405aa1
| access-date =June 24, 2019
}} Around 50 were women and children, many "sick and injured."{{Citation
|last = Noyes
|first = Jenny
|date = June 24, 2019
|title = Sharrouf children to return to Australia after rescue from Syrian refugee camp
|publisher = The Sydney Morning Herald
|location = Sydney, Australia
|url = https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/sharrouf-children-to-return-to-australia-after-rescue-from-syrian-refugee-camp-20190624-p520l2.html
|access-date = June 24, 2019
|archive-date = 24 June 2019
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190624165249/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/sharrouf-children-to-return-to-australia-after-rescue-from-syrian-refugee-camp-20190624-p520l2.html
| last =Hollingsworth
| first =Julia
| date =June 24, 2019
| title =Australian children of ISIS fighters rescued from Syria
| publisher =CNN
| location =United States
| url =https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/24/australia/syria-isis-australia-intl-hnk/index.html
| access-date =June 24, 2019
| date =June 24, 2019
| title =Australia rescues children of dead IS fighters from Syria
| publisher =New Straits Times
| location =Reuters
| url =https://www.nst.com.my/world/2019/06/498850/australia-rescues-children-dead-fighters-syria
| access-date =June 24, 2019
}} Officials said they would be psychologically analyzed before being brought to Australia and repatriated.{{Citation
|date = June 24, 2019
|title = Australia rescues children of dead Islamic State fighters from Syria
|publisher = CNA
|url = https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/australia-rescues-children-of-dead-islamic-state-fighters-from-syria-11656424
|access-date = June 24, 2019
|archive-date = 25 June 2019
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190625213619/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/australia-rescues-children-of-dead-islamic-state-fighters-from-syria-11656424
}} As of 2024, his fate and whereabouts remain unknown.
External links
- [https://www.docubay.com/the-ruins-of-raqqa "The ruins of Raqqa"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722132712/https://www.docubay.com/the-ruins-of-raqqa |date=22 July 2020 }}, a 2018 documentary produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and distributed by Deutsche Welle's DW-TV, which in part follows reporter Matt Brown interviewing residents of Syria and Iraq who encountered Sharrouf and his family, including Yazidi women held as slaves who served the family
See also
- Christchurch mosque shootings – 2019 massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand, by an Australian terrorist.
- {{ annotated link| David Hicks}}
References
{{reflist|30em|refs=
{{cite news
| url = https://www.smh.com.au/national/khaled-sharroufs-daughter-zaynab-sharrouf-tells-of-normal-life-in-syria-20160321-gnmtqk.html
| title = Khaled Sharrouf's daughter, Zaynab Sharrouf, tells of 'normal' life in Syria
| work = Sydney Morning Herald
| author = Anna Patty
| date = 2016-03-21
| access-date = 2019-02-22
}}
{{cite news
| url = https://www.smh.com.au/national/islamic-state-fighter-khaled-sharrouf-and-sons-killed-in-syria-reports-20170816-gxxe34.html
| title = Islamic State fighter Khaled Sharrouf and sons believed killed in Syria
| work = Sydney Morning Herald
| author = Rachel Olding, David Wroe, Michael Koziol
| date = 2017-08-16
| access-date = 2019-02-22
}}
{{cite book
| url = http://www.strategicdialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Till_Martyrdom_Do_Us_Part_Gender_and_the_ISIS_Phenomenon.pdf
| title = 'Till Martyrdom Do Us Part' Gender and the ISIS Phenomenon
| year = 2015
| publisher = Institute for Strategic Dialogue
|author=Erin Marie Saltman |author2=Melanie Smith
| page = 4
| access-date = 2016-02-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160330210121/http://www.strategicdialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Till_Martyrdom_Do_Us_Part_Gender_and_the_ISIS_Phenomenon.pdf
| archive-date = 2016-03-30
}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khaled Sharrouf}}
Category:Australian people of Lebanese descent
Category:Possibly living people
Category:People who lost Australian citizenship
Category:People with schizophrenia
Category:Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant members from Australia