From The Conversation · Sara Harmouch · · 2m
Women in jihadi groups gain formal authority
Women move from suicide bombers to leading jihadi groups.
In brief
Women move from suicide bombers to leading jihadi groups. Khadra Essa, a Somali-born Dutch citizen, leads an all-female ISIS combat unit and is wanted by the U.S. for up to $5 million. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Khadra Essa
Khadra Essa, a Somali-born Dutch citizen operating in Syria under the name Umm Qaqa al-Somali, is a wanted woman.
U.S. reward offer
On Sept. 14, 2026, the U.S. State Department again publicized its offer of up to US$5 million for information about her whereabouts.
ISIS-NK unit
The U.S. notice describes Essa as the chief sharia instructor of Khatiba Nusaybah, or ISIS-NK, an all-female Islamic State combat battalion formed in Raqqa, Syria, in 2016.
U.S. allegations
The United States alleges she received formal training in weapons, explosives and suicide operations.
Historical context
Two decades ago, women were rarely formal leaders in jihadi groups, but played roles as bomb carriers in militant movements.
Early female bombers
By 2002, Palestinian militant groups used female suicide bombers, including Wafa Idris who died in Jerusalem in January 2002.
Al-Shabaab expansion
Nigerian-based Boko Haram used 434 female suicide bombers across 238 attacks between April 2011 and June 2017.
Al-Qaida's early stance
In 2009, al-Qaida’s wife Umayma al-Zawahiri published a letter allowing women to fund operations but emphasizing their role in home management.
Al-Shabaab leadership
Al-Shabaab began promoting women as leaders in 2014, citing Aafia Siddiqui and Samantha Lewthwaite as role models.
ISIS al-Khansaa
In February 2014, ISIS formed the al-Khansaa Brigade in Syria to handle security and intelligence, but without command authority.
Khatiba Nusaybah
In late 2016, ISIS approved Khatiba Nusaybah, an all-female military battalion led by Allison Fluke-Ekren.
Sarah Jamal Muhammad
In January 2024, the U.S. Treasury designated Sarah Jamal Muhammad al-Sayyid for supporting ISIS through cybersecurity and logistics.
Women’s evolving roles
Women now hold formal authority in jihadi groups, training recruits, enforcing rules, and managing operations.
The bottom line
Khadra Essa, a Somali-born Dutch citizen, leads an all-female ISIS combat unit and is wanted by the U.S. for up to $5 million.
