U.S. Citizen Convicted of Receiving Military Training from ISIS

A federal jury found Halima Salman guilty of receiving military training from ISIS. The trial concluded with her conviction on Tuesday. Salman, a 27-year-old U.S. citizen, faced charges in a case marked as the first U.S. federal trial of a woman accused of joining ISIS.

Salman, known as ‘Umm Khattab al-Muhajir,’ is a former Brooklyn resident. She could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, with sentencing set for February 2. Prosecutors stated that Salman’s family, including her parents and eight siblings, traveled from the United States in 2016 to regions controlled by ISIS in Syria.

A courtroom sketch showed prosecutor Adam Amir pointing to Salman during the trial. (Reuters/Jane Rosenberg)

At 18, Salman married an ISIS fighter and pursued military-style training. She pledged allegiance to ISIS and actively engaged in its operations. A document certifying her training was obtained from her husband’s cellphone.

During the trial, evidence presented included a video of Salman holding a rifle and a photo with an ISIS flag. Additionally, text messages expressing her support for ISIS were revealed.

U.S. Attorney’s Statement

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. stated that the verdict holds Salman accountable for collaborating with a terrorist group. He emphasized ongoing prosecution efforts against those supporting ISIS.

emotion was palpable as the verdict was read. Salman, alongside her defense team, became visibly emotional. Her mother arrived at the courthouse in tears after hearing the jury’s decision.

Salman’s defense team portrayed her as a victim of circumstances. She testified that her father misled their family, claiming they were visiting relatives in Turkey. Instead, he led them into Syria. She claimed she was forced into marriage and attempted to divorce her husband.

Salman recounted fleeing Syria with refugees and being detained in Baghouz in 2019. After returning to New York in 2024, she was arrested by U.S. authorities. Her attorneys have requested the judge to acquit her, arguing insufficient evidence for conviction.