Hisham al-Hashimi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hisham al-Hashimi
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| هشام الهاشمي | |
al-Hashimi in 2020
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| Born | 9 May 1973 |
| Died | 6 July 2020 (aged 47) |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wounds |
| Resting place | Wadi-us-Salaam, Al-Najaf, Iraq |
| Education | University of Baghdad |
| Occupation | Historian and researcher in security and strategic affairs |
Hisham al-Hashimi (Arabic: هشام الهاشمي; born May 9, 1973 – died July 6, 2020) was an Iraqi historian and expert. He researched security and strategic topics. He was especially knowledgeable about extremist groups and the Islamic state. He also advised the Iraqi government on how to fight terrorism.
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About Hisham al-Hashimi
Hisham al-Hashimi was born in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1973. He became a historian and a researcher. He focused on security and strategic issues. He was interested in Iraqi Islamic groups from 1997. Even though he studied economics, he also worked with old writings and had a special interest in history.
He was once arrested by Saddam Hussein's government. He was later released in 2002. After 2003, he started working in journalism. He wrote reports for foreign newspapers and channels. He also wrote a blog about armed groups in Iraq. His last report was about disagreements within the Popular Mobilization Forces. He published it on July 1, 2020.
His Death
On July 6, 2020, al-Hashimi was shot. This happened outside his home in Zayouna, Baghdad. Two unknown gunmen on a motorcycle attacked him. He died soon after arriving at a nearby hospital. A BBC investigation in July 2020 suggested that Kata'ib Hezbollah might have been involved in his death.
Hisham al-Hashimi was buried in Wadi-us-Salaam. This is a large cemetery in Al-Najaf, Iraq.
What Happened After His Death
Al-Hashimi's death caused a lot of anger in Iraq. Many people around the world were also upset. Some groups, like Kata'ib Hezbollah and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, were accused. However, the official investigation did not name any group. No group claimed responsibility for the killing. But, al-Hashimi had reportedly received threats. These threats came from members of Kata'ib Hezbollah and the Popular Mobilization Forces.
In July 2021, four men were arrested. One of them, Ahmed Hamdawi Owayid Kinani, admitted to killing al-Hashimi. He said he used a licensed gun. He had worked for the Ministry of Interior before. In May 2023, a court in Baghdad sentenced this former police officer to death for the murder. He can still appeal this decision.
His Books and Articles
Hisham al-Hashimi wrote several books and many articles:
- Alem Daesh (a book)
- History of al-Qaeda in Iraq (a book)
- Organization of the Islamic State from Within (a book)
- More than 500 articles and research papers. These were published in Iraqi and Arab newspapers and magazines. They were mostly about extremist groups.
Where He Worked
Hisham al-Hashimi held many important positions:
- Director of the National Security and Counterterrorism Program at the AKD Center for Strategic Studies and Research.
- Security Adviser to the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate.
- Member of the Scientific Committee for the Baghdad Conference on Combating Terrorism.
- Lecturer on fighting terrorism in security academies.
- Visiting Scholar at the Rivers Center for Strategic Studies.
- Member of the team of advisors for national reconciliation in the Prime Minister's Office of Iraq.
- Security Adviser to the Iraqi Journalistic Freedoms Observatory.
See also
In Spanish: Hisham al-Hashimi para niños
