- Local Name: N/a
- Transliteration: N/a
- Alternatives: N/a
- Status: 2014 – 2015 (Defeated)
- Conflicts: Islamist Militancy in France, Syrian Civil War
The Karioui, Amara and Frèrejean Network [KAFN] was a small informal constellation of young jihadis based across France. Its members met in videogame chatrooms after having become supporters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [DaIISh; Dawlat al-Islamiya fi-Iraq wal ash-Sham] in 2014.1 Ismaël Karioui, a teenager from Valenciennes appears to have been the driving force behind the KAFN.2 Paris-based Antoine Frèrejean had developed contacts with prolific DaIISh recruiter Mourad Farès over the internet.3 Together with disgruntled navy soldier Djebril Amara, these men formed the core of the KAFN. Little is known about other people affiliated with the network. Frèrejean is known to have facilitated the travel of at least one jihadi from France to Syria.4
In the fall of 2014, Karioui and his associates had begun making plans to link up with DaIISh forces in Syria.5 The mother of Karioui warned French authorities of her son’s intentions. He was subsequently banned from leaving his hometown.6 The trio changed their plans and resolved to launching an attack on a naval station near the southern French city of Perpignan.7 The men planned to storm the facility, behead its commanding officer, sent a videotape of the action to the DaIISh and subsequently leave France to link up with the organization in Syria.8 Amara was scheduled to die as a martyr during the attack.9 He had also started looking to acquire firearms.10
French authorities were aware of KAFN members’ devotion to jihad and monitored them.11 On Jul. 13, 2015, French police arrested the three key network operatives and one of their associates during a series of raids across France.12 The minor acquaintance was released shortly afterwards.13 A court sentenced Amara, Frèrejean and Karioui to nine years in prison on Apr. 13, 2018.14
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