imported>Moguy at 13:31, 29 June 2025

2025-06-29T13:31:29Z

New page

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2012}}
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Zubayr al-Rimi<br/>زبير الريمي
| image_name = ZubayrAlRimi.jpg
| image_size = 150px
| image_caption =
| birth_date = August 19, 1974
| birth_place = [[Saudi Arabia]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2003|9|23|1974|8|19}}
| death_place = Jizan, Saudi Arabia
| cause =
| alias = Ahmad Al-Na'Mi<ref name="fbi"/><br/>Ibrahim Al Subah<ref name="fbi"/>
| motive =
| charge =
| conviction =
| conviction_penalty =
| conviction_status =
| occupation =
| spouse = Hanan Raqib
| parents =
| children =
}}
'''Sultan Jubran Sultan al-Qahtani''' (سلطان جبران سلطان القحطاني) (August 19, 1974 – September 23, 2003; also known as '''Zubayr al-Rimi''')<ref name="fbi"/><ref name="red">Redorbit, [http://www.redorbit.com/news/general/15235/saudi_sought_by_fbi_wanted_in_homeland/index.html Saudi sought by FBI wanted in homeland], September 7, 2003</ref> was a militant in [[al-Qaeda]]'s Saudi wing.<ref name="doj"/>

Accused of complicity in the [[Riyadh compound bombings]], al-Rimi was alternately reported as surrendering himself to authorities or dying in a September 2003 shootout.

==Life==
The son of a security officer, al-Rimi attended Zutanya College in Adha for three years,<ref name="today">Al-Yaum, [http://www.alyaum.com/issue/article.php?IN=11058&I=113204 استشهاد رجل أمن ومقتل 3 مطلوبين في جازان] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816050612/http://www.alyaum.com/issue/article.php?IN=11058&I=113204 |date=August 16, 2016 }}, September 24, 2003</ref><ref name="global">[[Jarret Brachman|Brachman, Jarret]]. "Global Jihadism", 2008. pp. 144–146</ref> and married the Moroccan Hanan Raqib.<ref name="fbi">[https://www.fbi.gov/terrorinfo/rimi.htm FBI – Seeking Information: Zubayr al-Rimi] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061027070746/https://www.fbi.gov/terrorinfo/rimi.htm |date=October 27, 2006 }}</ref>

On September 1, 2001, al-Rimi told his father he was leaving southern Saudi Arabia to perform [[hajj]], but secretly traveled to [[Afghanistan]] where he met with militant leaders.<ref name="red"/>

In December, al-Rimi participated in the [[Battle of Tora Bora]] which saw [[Osama bin Laden]] escape from a snare set by American forces.<ref name="court"/>

He returned to Saudi Arabia in approximately January 2002, and re-enrolled in classes and finished his degree in [[Physical Education]], before again returning to Afghanistan.<ref name="today"/>

In November 2002, al-Rimi was introduced to the American [[Ahmed Omar Abu Ali]] by their mutual friend [[Moeith al- Qahtani]] who had studied at the [[Islamic University of Medina]].<ref name="doj">[[United States Department of Justice]], [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20091202111627/http://www.justice.gov/osg/briefs/2008/0responses/2008-0464.resp.html Ahmed Omar Abu Ali v. USA], 08-464, October 6, 2008</ref> Several months later, al-Rimi introduced Abu Ali to [[Ali Abd al-Rahman al-Faqasi]], who sent the American back to his country to await further instructions.<ref name="doj"/>

At 5 pm on May 6, the Saudi authorities raided a weapons cache in the Eshbiliah Quarter of [[Riyadh]], and seized 55 grenades, five large bags filled with 377 kilograms of explosives, four machine guns with three boxes containing approximately 2,250 rounds, five computers, telecommunication devices, travel documents, identity cards, notebooks, bulletins, 253,717 [[Saudi riyal|Riyals]] and 5,300 [[American dollar]]s. A search of the compound also turned up a parked car with three machine guns and a number of masks. The militants drove up while the police were searching the house, and quickly fled the scene until their car stalled, at which point they [[carjacked]] a nearby driver and escaped.<ref name="manhunt">Riyadh Daily, "Manhunt launched after Arms Haul", May 8, 2003</ref><ref>Saudi Arabia Market Information Resource and Directory, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20030627122002/http://www.saudinf.com/main/y5703.htm Saudi security authorities abort attempted terrorist attack]}}, May 7, 2003</ref>

Six days later, the group carried out the [[Riyadh compound bombings]] that killed 26–34 people, including 9 American citizens.<ref name="red"/><ref name="court"/><ref>[[MSNBC]], "FBI bulletin linked al-Rimi to threats against U.S.", 2003</ref> The authorities subsequently issued a list of 19 names tied to the bombing, including al-Rimi, [[Abdul Rahman Jabarah]], al-Faqasi and four of the dead bombers.<ref name="court"/>

From May 26–27, the Saudi authorities raided a number of suspected terrorist hideaways, killing or capturing six of the 15 men from their list. Again, both al-Rimi and al-Faqasi escaped from an assaulted farm, this time dressed in women's clothing.<ref name="red"/><ref name="court"/>

On May 27, Abu Ali messaged al-Rimi in Arabic, making a veiled reference to the Saudi raid;
{{Quote box
| quote = "Peace, How are you and how is your family? I hope they are good. I heard the news about the children's sickness. I wish them a speedy recovery, God willing. Anyway, please keep in touch. Greetings to the group, Hani"<ref name="court">[[United States Court of Appeals]], [http://pacer.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinion.pdf/064334.P.pdf USA v. Ahmed Omar Abu Ali], Volume I of II. June 6, 2008</ref>
| source =
| width = 50%
| align = center
}}

Al-Rimi's wife was arrested in the beginning of June along with the wife of al-Faqasi and two other women.<ref name="intel">IntelCenter Terrorism Incident Reference, 2008. p. 18</ref> She was turned over to his father for safekeeping, who sought to return her to Morocco.<ref name="red"/><ref>[[Library Information and Research Service]], "The Middle East", 2004. p. 323</ref><ref>[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]], [http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2003%20News%20archives/June%202003%20News/3n/Saudi%20Arabia%20beefs%20up%20security.htm Saudi Arabia beefs up security] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607182053/http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2003%20News%20archives/June%202003%20News/3n/Saudi%20Arabia%20beefs%20up%20security.htm |date=June 7, 2011 }}, June 3, 2003</ref>

Al-Rimi replied to Abu Ali on June 6, explaining that he had escaped the raid, but did not know the extent of who else had been captured, except that he had heard 'Adil was similarly safe. He cautioned Abu Ali to ready himself, and refrain from any risky behaviour which might give away his cover;
{{Quote box
| quote = "To my brother, Peace to you with God's mercy and blessings. Thank God, I am fine. I was saved from the accident by a great miracle. I ask God that I would be thankful to Him. I have no idea about the others. However, according to what one doctor mentioned, 'Adil was not with them, thank God. The important thing is to get yourself ready for the medical checkup because you may have an appointment soon. Therefore, you must keep yourself ready by refraining from eating high fat meals and otherwise."<ref name="court"/>
| source =
| width = 50%
| align = center
}}

He wrote a letter to Saudi scientists, another to militants, another to his family, one to his wife, one to [[Qahtan Ghamdi]], one to American president [[George W. Bush]], and a public letter insisting he had not been involved in the Riyadh bombings but would continue to fight against American presence in the [[Arabian Peninsula]].<ref>Aawsat, [http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&article=175638&issueno=8960 سلطان القحطاني أحد المطلوبين الـ19 في رسالة: نعد العدة لخلع أنياب الأميركيين ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716201942/http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&article=175638&issueno=8960 |date=July 16, 2011 }}, June 10, 2003</ref>

In September 2003, the FBI issued an alert for four people they alleged "pose a threat to U.S. citizens", including [[Abderraouf Jdey]], [[Adnan G. El Shukrijumah]] and the previously unknown al-Rimi and [[Karim el-Mejjati]].<ref name="three">[[CNN]], [http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/09/05/fbi.bolo/ FBI seeks 4 suspected of terrorist activities], September 2003</ref> His father stated that it was unlikely al-Rimi was in the United States, since he was unable to speak English.<ref name="red"/>

==Death==

On September 23, Saudi forces stormed a farmhouse outside [[Jizan]]'s ''King Fahd Hospital'', leading the militants inside to flee to the neighbouring apartment complex where they had been allowed to live by a married couple who worked as pharmacist and doctor in the hospital. Inside, the militants took doctors and nurses hostages, and carried them to the roof of the building. Authorities used [[loudspeaker]]s to warn the 3000 residents of the building to remain in their apartments and avoid windows, and began firing [[tear gas]] and assaulting the housing compound.<ref name="global"/><ref name="buzzle">Buzzle.com, {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130119014722/http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/9-24-2003-45825.asp Al-Qaida suspect dies in Saudi raid]}}, September 24, 2003</ref>

After killing Sergeant Hussein Mifrej Hanthool and "slightly"<ref>ArabicNews.com, [http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/030924/2003092417.html Two incidents violate the Saudi national day] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401054323/http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/030924/2003092417.html |date=April 1, 2009 }}, September 24, 2003</ref> wounding four other officers, the hostages were released and two gunmen surrendered, while the other three militants were killed. While some sources reported that al-Rimi was among those who surrendered, Saudi security forces later clarified that he, [[Khalid bin Muhammad bin Ali al-Isa al-Shahri]]<ref>Aarts, Paul. "Saudi Arabia in the Balance", 2006. p. 310, Appendix VII.</ref> and [[Turki ibn Saeed al-Thaqfan al-Bishri]] were killed in the 6- to 18-hour firefight.<ref name="buzzle"/><ref>[[Associated Press]], [https://web.archive.org/web/20121025061018/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-81850593.html Militant linked to terror threats against United States among three killed by Saudi security], September 25, 2003</ref><ref>Asia Africa Intelligence Wire, [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-24485074_ITM Saudi Interior Ministry identifies one "terrorist" killed in Jizan clash], September 23, 2003</ref><ref>[[BBC]], [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3136148.stm Saudis hand over Yemeni suspects], September 24, 2003</ref><ref>Saudi Arabia Market Information Resource, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040420051506/http://www.saudinf.com/main/y6173.htm Shootout with terrorists in Jazan]}}, September 23, 2003</ref><ref>
{{cite news
| url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saudi-raid-kills-3-qaeda-suspects/
| title = Saudi Raid Kills 3 Qaeda Suspects
| publisher = [[CBS News]]
| date = September 24, 2003
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110524050559/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/24/world/main574901.shtml
| archive-date = May 24, 2011
| url-status = live
| quote =
}}
</ref><ref>[[St. Petersburg Times]], [http://www.sptimes.com/2003/09/24/news_pf/Worldandnation/Saudis_kill_3_during_.shtml Saudis kill 3 during raid aimed at averting attack], September 24, 2003</ref><ref name="dan"/>

His body was identified by his father.<ref name="dan">[[CBS]], [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saudi-raid-kills-3-qaeda-suspects/ Saudi raid kills 3 Qaeda suspects], September 24, 2003</ref> In the following days, authorities raided a number of homes al-Rimi had rented in [[Marbah]], seizing weapons and explosives he had stored in the properties.<ref name="global"/>

Two months after his death, he was [[eulogy|eulogised]] in a speech by al-Qaeda as a fallen [[martyr]], in a tape labeled "The Martyrs of the Confrontations in Bilad al-Haramain".<ref>[[Foreign Broadcast Information Service]], "The Martyrs of the Confrontations in Bilad al-Haramayn". December 3, 2003.</ref><ref>Why-war.com, [http://www.why-war.com/news/2003/12/05/alqaidat.html Transcript: Al-Qa'ida Tape Pays Tribute To Saudi 'Martyrs' in Clashes With Saudi Forces], December 5, 2003</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rimi, Zubayr Al-}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:2003 deaths]]
[[Category:Fugitives]]
[[Category:Individuals designated as suspected terrorists by the Saudi Arabian government]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabian al-Qaeda members]]

Zubayr Al-Rimi - Revision history

imported>Moguy at 13:31, 29 June 2025