From the Biographies of the Distinguished Martyrs: (25) Tariq al-Wahsh
An Iraqi co-founder of IS
The twenty-fifth “distinguished martyr” is Tariq al-Wahsh (or Abu Ahmad), an Iraqi jihadist from Ramadi. We learn several key details about JTJ from his biography. He was one of the co-founders of JTJ, meaning he was there at the Rawah Camp. This would make him the third Iraqi among the co-founders, the others being Umar Hadid and Abu Azzam al-Iraqi (the subject of a forthcoming biography). We learn that Tariq al-Wahsh was a military veteran, meaning he was likely radicalized in the ranks of the Baathist Army. This puts him in the same demographic as Thamir Mubarak Atruz and Abu Faris al-Ansari, who were both veterans (in fact officers) of the Baathist security apparatus. Indeed, Abu Ismail al-Muhajir reports that Tariq was among the key orchestrators of the Shahin Hotel bombing, which included Ansari and Abu Hamza al-Urduni. More broadly, he was a central military leader and explosives expert in JTJ, which highlights the critical importance of Iraqis so early on in the IS movement. During the battles of Fallujah, Tariq was a key leader and combatant. He died in a suicide bombing, where he detonated his vest to prevent capture by Coalition forces.
A Man Worth a Thousand
Tariq al-Wahsh
He is the Lion of God and the Lion of the Mujahidin. The brave find reassurance in his presence, while the coward gains courage merely by seeing him. Fear knows no path to him, nor do hesitation and weakness dwell in his heart. When the courageous sit, he rises; when the knights compete, he leads.
He was Abu Ahmad, Tariq al-Wahsh (Tariq the Beast), as his comrades called him–from the city of Ramadi, a symbol of defiance and revolution against American oppression and tyranny.
He was among the first to join the ranks of Jama’at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad, indeed one of its founders. Shaykh Abu Musab (may God have mercy on him) trusted him absolutely, and he was worthy of that trust. Our hero was a seasoned military man, highly skilled in all light and medium weaponry, as well as the science of explosives and detonation.
He was among the first to manufacture explosive belts, developed car bombings, and introduced detonating fuses, mastering their use. He was also a pioneer in crushing the dens of disbelief and apostasy in Baghdad and elsewhere.
Among what I vividly remember is that he was the one who planned and executed, along with a group of his brothers, the operation at the Shahin Hotel.
Tariq was the one who carried out the operation against the governor of Ramadi, forcing him to resign after capturing his three sons. He only released them after the governor publicly repented, vowed never to return to his post, and pledged to stop aiding the occupiers. I saw him overjoyed, saying, "Praise be to God, who made me a means to save him from the Fire."
But all that was nothing compared to what I witnessed from Abu Ahmad in Fallujah. When the situation grew dire and everyone knew the general assault on Fallujah was imminent, I proposed to Shaykh Abu Musab (may God accept and forgive him) that he be appointed as the military leader of the city. The shaykh agreed to appoint him as a military advisor and head of the Operations and Follow-up Committee. Tariq was so daring, charging into peril, that the shaykh refused to make him the overall commander, settling for him to remain an advisor.
During this time, I came to know Tariq as both an administrator and a warrior. He met with Fallujah’s field commanders and presented his plan. Fallujah had no organized anti-air defense battalion at the time–weapons were scattered among different groups.
So, he proposed forming an anti-air defense company and took action:
He first selected an elite group of fighters, then put them through intensive, rapid training–each group specializing in a specific weapon: one on the DShK, another on the 37mm, and a third on the 57mm.
He sought out a former officer to lead this unit, personally overseeing the distribution of weapons, control sectors, and fire commands.
He gathered all available anti-air weapons, had them serviced, and ensured the crews were trained to maintain them.
Multiple points in Fallujah were designated for burning oil to create smoke screens, forcing enemy aircraft to fly lower and into our line of fire.
During this time, I went with Tariq to al-Sina’a, the fiercest front. We visited the Kurdish brothers’ position, where one of their heroes, Brother Shamil, took us to the observation and sniping post. While scanning the highway and enemy positions, we suddenly saw thick dust rising near al-Ma’arid. Tariq looked–it was enemy tanks speeding down the highway, then veering toward the Shuhada line.
It was around the evening of the 10th of Ramadan. We rushed back to the brothers at Shuhada, and Tariq went to a reserve unit he had prepared–a support group not directly engaged on any front. This was his trusted team from his days in Ramadi.
We took several brothers and advanced toward the enemy as sunset approached. And there, I saw Tariq al-Wahsh in his true form. He strapped on an RPG belt, gripped his launcher, and told me, "Stay back–if we need reinforcements, you handle it." Then came the lion’s roar: "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! America is ruined! 'The united forces will be defeated, and they will turn their backs!' [54:45]. Patience, O servants of God!"
He moved to the closest enemy point, and the brothers rallied around him, emboldened by his presence–they had only heard tales of his bravery. The clash lasted long, and the brothers grew severely hungry and thirsty, having fasted all day. The enemy had only arrived near sunset, so they refused to break their fast.
I arranged for whatever water and food could be brought under heavy fire. The enemy’s aircraft loomed above, striking anything that moved–or didn’t–from buildings to minarets. Recon drones like the Nisr and Saqr flew dangerously low, baiting fighters into exposing themselves.
I learned a crucial lesson: every mujahid should always carry some food (like raisins or dates) and water.
During the battle, one brother was martyred. As he was carried back, I saw the brothers shouting Takbir. When they neared, my shock faded–by God, the scent of musk from his body (though I never knew his name) filled the air for a hundred meters. This was unheard of–usually, the fragrance is only noticeable up close.
I stayed by the martyr, guarding him from scavengers, then carried him in a car to be buried. Praise be to God–a man of such stature, unknown by name, buried by a single brother. Meanwhile, the dogs of Hell are mourned extravagantly when they die, though they are, to people and to God, filthier than carrion. But my brother’s worth is known only to God.
Returning to Tariq al-Wahsh–I went back to the front and asked about him. They said he was still at the forefront. Around 2 AM, I heard Abu Ahmad’s Takbir echoing, then the sound of enemy vehicles retreating. Soon, the hero returned, saying, "The enemy has withdrawn, thank God."
Days passed, and the enemy stormed Fallujah General Hospital on the 25th of Ramadan (if I recall correctly). That night, Abu Abdullah al-Shami and I stood guard near the new bridge, at a pre-designated command point.
Morning came, bitterly cold. I borrowed a coat from Brother Umar Hadid, then met Wahsh. "What’s the plan?" I asked, adding, "I feel the weakest point is al-Jughayf. Even though time is short, take your group and seal this gap." That sector was later held by Shaykh Abdullah al-Janabi and his brothers–may God reward them.
As we spoke, snipers cut off al-Hadhra al-Muhammadiyah Street.
The man went to work, but by midnight (or earlier), my fears materialized–much too late. The Americans breached from al-Jughayf, penetrating like an arrowhead before spreading inside.
The brothers were trapped in al-Askari and al-Julan. Those in al-Askari were shocked to find Americans in their alleys–the slaughter began.
As for Tariq al-Wahsh, by God’s grace, he fell back to the command center at Nazzal and asked, "What now?" I said, "Divide the city into north and south. Defend the south, raid the north to reclaim lost ground, and rescue our besieged brothers."
Abu Ahmad was tasked with establishing a frontline to protect the southern sector–and he succeeded, sealing the gap. Repeated enemy attempts to break through failed–he was their relentless sentry. Days passed with the enemy stalled. Whenever he needed men or weapons, I sent them.
But brothers were falling like autumn leaves–yet fresh, green leaves.
Then, Abu Ahmad was caught off guard–a sniper had infiltrated a key building overlooking an intersection (where the old road meets al-Firdous Street). He told a brother (I think it was Abu Ja’far, may God have mercy on him), "Cover me with the PK, I’ll hit the sniper with an RPG." They did–but Abu Ahmad was shot in the kidney and collapsed.
Dragged to a nearby house, he wept, "O God, grant me martyrdom, not injury! O Most Merciful! My brothers!" When they tried to evacuate him, he refused: "By God, I won’t abandon them! Leave me!" A brother urged, "Fear God–you’re wounded. God will heal you, and you’ll return." He relented, still weeping–not from fear, but love for jihad.
With his withdrawal (and many wounded brothers), the line collapsed. The enemy advanced to Nazzal. By God, Tariq was like an army–a thousand men in one. No one could replace him.
During his evacuation, Abu Ja’far (may God have mercy on him) noticed something on his waist. When he tried to remove it, Tariq shouted, "Leave it!" It was an explosive belt–his final defiance, to be detonated among the enemy if captured.
When Nazzal was overrun, Americans entered Abu Ahmad’s house, where he lay wounded. Seeing him helpless, one grinned, approaching to take him as a trophy.
Suddenly–the volcano erupted.
Abu Ahmad Tariq al-Wahsh detonated his belt, killing several American brutes and answering the call of his Lord to join the righteous and martyrs (we reckon him so). We ask God to replace him with better for us, compensate us for his loss, and reunite us with him in the Gardens of Eden under the Lord Almighty. By God, he broke my heart–one that will only mend when I see him in Paradise, God willing.
Written by:
Abu Ismail al-Muhajir
Brother Shamil. A chechen in AAI??