Jihadi John, a British-Arab terrorist associated with the extremist group ‘Islamic State’ (also known as ‘ISIS’ or ‘ISIL’), gained notoriety for his involvement in multiple beheading videos released by the group. Born in Kuwait and raised in London, he initially led a seemingly normal life, excelling academically and embracing Western culture. However, as he grew older, he became increasingly religious. After graduating from the University of Westminster, he faced scrutiny in Holland and the U.K. regarding his alleged connections to terrorist organizations. Eventually, he found his way to Syria and joined ISIL, where he appeared in numerous videos wearing a mask while executing Western journalists and aid workers. His life came to an end in November 2015 when he was killed in a U.S. drone strike.
Quick Facts
- Nick Name: John the Beatle
- Also Known As: Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan al-Dhafiri, Jihadi John, Mohammed Emwazi
- Died At Age: 27
- Family: father: Jasem Emwazi, mother: Ghaneya Emwazi, siblings: Asma Emwazi, Asra Emwazi, Hana Emwazi, Omar Emwazi, Shayma Emwazi
- Born Country: Kuwait
- Murderers
- Terrorists
- Died on: November 12, 2015
- Place of death: Ar-Raqqah, Syria
- More Facts
- Education: University Of Westminster- Law School
Childhood & Early Life
Jihadi John, originally named Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan al-Dhafiri, was born on August 17, 1988, in Kuwait. He was the eldest of five children in a family of Iraqi origin. In 1994, his family moved to London to escape the aftermath of the Gulf War. John had a normal childhood in West London, excelling in studies and aspiring to have a career in the IT industry. His family lived in various flats in the Maida Vale area of London, and their neighbors did not find anything suspicious about them. As a teenager, John did not show any signs of religious fundamentalism.
Career & Move toward Radical Islamic Groups
After graduating from high school, Jihadi John attended the University of Westminster in 2006. He was described as a polite and Westernized young man. He occasionally attended a mosque in Greenwich. In 2009, he planned a trip to Tanzania with friends but was detained at the airport and questioned by British intelligence agencies. Although he denied any association with terrorist groups, the mistreatment he and his family faced affected him mentally. He moved back to Kuwait for a while, where he worked for an IT company. However, his attempts to leave the UK and start a new life were unsuccessful.
In 2012, John was part of a group called “The London Boys,” which included young extremists involved in terrorist activities. He changed his name and tried to leave the UK again but was detained and questioned by British intelligence agencies. This time, he showed signs of radicalization and was put on a terrorist watch list, preventing him from leaving the country. In early 2013, he successfully made his way into Syria and joined the Islamic State (IS), also known as ISIL or ISIS. His group of terrorists, who spoke English, was nicknamed “The Beatles” due to their British accents.
Rise as “Jihadi John”
In 2014, a British conservative magazine named him “Jihadi John” after an article about him gained popularity. He appeared in a series of videos released by the Islamic State, showing the beheadings of Western journalists and workers. Jihadi John himself performed some of the beheadings and always wore a mask in the videos. The videos were produced and distributed by the Al Hayat Media Center, with the location traced to the city of Raqqa in Syria. Experts debated whether the videos were doctored and if the murders were performed off camera. Jihadi John’s accent was identified as typical of South London.
Death
Jihadi John was killed in a United States drone attack in Raqqa, Syria, on November 12, 2015. His death was confirmed by senior U.S. military officers and later acknowledged by the Islamic State in their magazine, Dabiq. In 2017, a video was released showing Jihadi John without a mask, casually chatting with other ISIL members.