MOSCOW, September 24 (RIA Novosti) – Among the main targets of the United States airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, US State Secretary John Kerry has particularly noted the Khorasan Islamist group, linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist organization, remarks from a stakeout with Iraqi President Fuad Masum in New York, published by the US Department of State demonstrate.
The Khorasan group of al-Qaeda militants is based in Syria. Its existence as a separate group or as an al-Qaeda branch is undetermined.
The name Khorasan, most likely created by intelligence agencies, derives from the historical Greater Khorasan region, consisting of parts of present-day Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.
According to Islamic teachings, the advent of the prophet Mahdi, who will rid the world of evil before Judgment Day, will be signaled by Black Standard banners from Khorasan.
The organization is allegedly led by Muhsin al-Fadhli, born in Kuwait in 1981, and one of Osama bin Laden's most trusted associates. The US government is offering a $7 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
Jihadists from the group have allegedly cooperated with explosives experts from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence considers Khorasan a greater threat than the Islamic State terrorist organization.
On September 22, the United States carried out airstrikes against Khorasan in northwest Syria.
On September 23, the Pentagon said Khorasan was involved in plotting an imminent attack against the US and Europe.
