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Bouncer, actor, preacher, martyr? ISIL leader’s death rumoured

AAP

AAP

Australia’s most senior Islamic State (ISIL) member, Mohammad Ali Baryalei, is believed to be dead, killed during fighting in the Middle East four to five days ago.

The former King Cross bouncer and one-time Underbelly television star was accused of planning to behead a random member of the Australian public in September, sparking national terror raids.

He was also believed to be responsible for recruiting dozens of Australians to fight with extremist groups in Iraq and Syria.

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Baryalei’s death was seized on by the government as evidence that intelligence and law enforcement agencies need tougher powers.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the laws would make it easier to arrest and jail terrorists returning from overseas, monitor potential terrorists in Australia and stop “preachers of hate”.

Terror raids in Sydney Australia

Terror raids in Sydney trigged by a phone call from Mohammed Baryalei. Photo: AAP

Life journey

As news filtered through of Baryalei’s apparent demise, the neighbours of his parents in Sydney’s north west spoke about his mother’s pain over her son’s decision to join the radical group.

The neighbour said Ms Baryalei had been devastated by her son’s decision to take up arms with ISIL.

“She was crying. She couldn’t believe it was her son,” she said.

“All she knew was he was overseas studying to be a cleric and would call her every so often. He was very protective of his mum.”

Mohammad Ali Baryalei was a Kings Cross bouncer, an actor and street preacher before becoming the highest-ranking Australian in Islamic State.

Baryalei’s family reportedly arrived in Sydney’s northwest when he was a baby in the 1980s. He worked the doors in Sydney’s red light district and appeared in the Nine Network’s Underbelly series as a paramedic.

His notoriety as the man responsible for recruiting at least half of the 60 Australians currently fighting for ISIL is in stark contrast to his standing five years ago.

Back then, he was an unemployed, depressed and suicidal figure, according to the ABC. His metamorphosis from failed actor to terrorist then began.

Baryalei became a leader in the “Street Dawah” movement in Sydney’s west in which members preached their puritanical version of Islam. The movement has drawn the ire of local authorities for advertising without a permit.

When Baryalei headed to the Syrian/Turkish border in 2013 his parents said he was living a peaceful life, while neighbours believed he was training to become a cleric.

Intelligence agencies believe Baryalei has recruited as many as 30 of the 60 Australians now fighting alongside ISIL forces.

Supplied

Khlaoud Sharrouf with his children. Image: Supplied

Local threat

But he was making his way to join ISIL and last month, he rose to infamy.

His phone calls to Australia, allegedly regarding a plot to behead a random member of the public, sparked the largest terror raids in the country’s history, with 25 homes stormed in NSW and Queensland.

And news of his reported death generated similar attention.

Yassin Ali, whose Facebook page says he lives in Syria but works with Street Dawah Australia, described Baryalei as a “martyr”.

“Our beloved brother Mohamed Ali who was recently strongly attacked by Australian media has been martyred,” he posted.

“Last time I met him he hugged me very tightly and gave me one advice he told me `stick to Qyam Al-Lil (night prayer)` then he left to Bilad Al-Sham (in Syria).

“Today we shall celebrate his martyrdom with tears of joy and sorrow.”

Authorities say he was involved in the recruitment of Australians Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar, and boys as young as 17.

Among the Australians that Baryalei has reportedly lured to ISIL are former Gold Coast schoolgirl Amira Karroum and her husband, dual Australian-US citizen Tyler Casey, who both died in Aleppo in Syria in January.

-AAP

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