by A naturalized U.S. citizen, Lirim Sylejmani, 49, was sentenced Monday to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of receiving military training and fighting alongside the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group in Syria.
Sylejmani, originally from Kosovo, joined ISIS in November 2015, adopting the nom de guerre Abu Sulayman al-Kosovi. According to prosecutors, he underwent extensive combat training on a range of weapons including AK-47s, PK machine guns, M-16 rifles, and grenades, preparing to fight U.S.-led coalition forces and their allies.
Captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces on Feb. 27, 2019, during the coalition’s final offensive against ISIS’ last stronghold in Syria, Sylejmani was transferred to U.S. authorities in September 2020 to face terrorism-related charges.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro condemned his actions, saying, “The defendant will spend a decade in prison thinking about the betrayal to this country.” She emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to rooting out individuals who seek to undermine the U.S. and its citizens.
Sylejmani was wounded in battle by shrapnel to the leg and reassigned to a different battalion in late 2017. Prosecutors confirmed he received compensation from ISIS for his militant activities.
In interviews after his capture, Sylejmani revealed he and his family traveled to Syria through Canada, lured by ISIS promises of free housing, electricity, and water—only to find harsh conditions and starvation under the caliphate’s rule.
His story serves as a stark warning: “Anyone thinking that ISIS is the answer to their questions, best think again,” Pirro said.
This sentencing marks another significant step in the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to hold foreign terrorist fighters accountable and protect national security.
