Saudi emir of Abdullah Azzam Brigades dies in custody

Majid.jpg

Majid bin Muhammad al Majid, from the Saudi Interior Ministry’s list of 85 most-wanted terrorists.

According to reports, Majid bin Muhammad al Majid, a Saudi jihadist who leads the al Qaeda-associated Abdullah Azzam Brigades, has died in custody. From the Daily Star:

Majid was receiving treatment at the military hospital in Badaro when he passed away, the source said, adding that his health had been in sharp deterioration.

Military Prosecutor Judge tasked a coroner to carry out an autopsy on Majid’s body.

Lebanese authorities were waiting for the Saudi Embassy in Beirut to request the repatriation of Majid’s body, the National News Agency said.

If Riyadh fails to make such a request, the militant would be buried in Lebanon, the NNA added.

A security source said Thursday that Majid’s arrest came as a result of intercepting information both inside and outside the country and that interrogation had been delayed due to Majid’s bad health.

The Lebanese military confirmed Majid’s death, and issued a statement that said he “died this morning while undergoing treatment at the central military hospital after his health deteriorated,” The Associated Press reported.

Majid was captured sometime in December. [See LWJ report, Emir of Abdullah Azzam Brigades detained in Lebanon.] Immediately after his capture, Al Monitor reported that Majid was being treated for kidney disease when he was detained by Lebanese security forces.

For more information on the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, its leaders, and its involvement in the global jihad, see LWJ reports:

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

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