STATUS UNKNOWN
- Full name: Mohammed Saber
- Pseudonym: Abu Saïd
- Alternatives: N/a
- Location: Iraq, fmr Belgium, fmr Afghanistan
- Affiliation: Base Organization [al-Qa’ida]
Mohammed Saber (°1976) is an Iraqi Kurdish Islamist militant. His father was executed by the regime of Saddam Hussein.1 Saber was reportedly imprisoned twice on unknown charges before fleeing to Turkey and subsequently joining al-Qa’ida in Afghanistan.2 He allegedly served as an instructor at one of its training camps.3 In November 2000, Saber illegally immigrated to Belgium. He resided in Brussels, Puurs and Ronse before settling in the port city of Antwerp.4 Saber demanded asylum, but his bid was rejected by the Belgian authorities.5
In Belgium, Saber linked up with locally-based al-Qa’ida associates such as Tarek Maâroufi and Driss el-Atellah to form a logistical support network that was directly tied to the organization’s central leadership.6 As a communications intermediary, he relayed messages between al-Qa’ida leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan and operatives in Europe.7 In that capacity, Saber developed contacts with Sep. 11, 2001 attacks mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Zain Hussein [aka Abu Zubeida].8 He was also involved in Maâroufi’s production of false identification documents.9 Saber was furthermore involved in the European financial and logistical activities of the Tunisian Combat Group [GCT; Group Combattant Tunisien] and served as a liaison between Maâroufi and the Milan-based operatives headed by Essid Ben Khemais.10 During this time, he reportedly maintained close relationships with al-Qa’ida operative Moussa Zemmouri and his brother.11
Saber was caught up in the Belgian government’s crackdown on al-Qa’ida activities in the country following the Sep. 11, 2001 attacks in America. On Oct. 29, 2004, a court sentenced him to five years imprisonment.12 During his incarceration, he unsuccessfully applied for asylum in Belgium.13 Saber served out his full term.14 Upon his release, the authorities could not deport him to Iraq so he lived illegally in the city of Sint-Niklaas for about a year.15 Saber was eventually placed in a facility for asylum seekers before he agreed to return to Iraq on his own volition.16 His status and whereabouts have since been unknown.
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