Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Syria detains American Islamist journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem
A journalist named Bilal Abdul Kareem, who is American and has lived in Syria for a long time, was detained by Syrian security forces.
He has been critical of Syria's new government and its partnership with the United States.
Abdul Kareem has been a prominent voice among foreign Islamists in Syria and has criticized the Syrian president for compromising on Islamic values.
He recently asked the Syrian state to give citizenship to foreign jihadists.
In his latest video, he criticized Syria's decision to join the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, calling America the enemy of the Syrian people.
The fate of foreign fighters in Syria has been a significant issue, with few countries willing to take them back.
Bilal Abdul Kareem, an American Islamist journalist, was detained in Al-Bab, northern Aleppo province, Syria on Monday.
Abdul Kareem has been critical of Syria's new government and its partnership with the United States.
He has been a prominent voice among foreign Islamists in Syria, criticizing President Ahmed al-Sharaa for compromising on Islamic values.
In August, Abdul Kareem petitioned the Syrian state to give citizenship to foreign jihadists among the rebels.
In his latest video, he criticized Syria's decision to join the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, calling America the enemy of the Syrian people.
- Who
- Bilal Abdul Kareem, an American Islamist journalist
- What
- Detained by Syrian security forces
- When
- Monday
- Where
- Al-Bab, northern Aleppo province, Syria
- Why
- Criticism of Syria's government and its partnership with the U.S.
- Journalist Detained
- Bilal Abdul Kareem
- Location of Detention
- Al-Bab, northern Aleppo province
- Date of Detention
- Monday
- Journalist's Nationality
- American
- Journalist's Criticism
- Syria's partnership with the U.S. and President Ahmed al-Sharaa's compromises on Islamic values
- Journalist's Request
- Citizenship for foreign jihadists in Syria
- Recent Video Topic
- Criticism of Syria's decision to join the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State
- Journalist's Residence in Syria
- Since 2012