Thread by @warfareanalysis

This photo is of one of the 7 CIA officers who were killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, December 30, 2009.

Here’s the real story.

First, what is Jordan?

Jordan is a client state. One of the roles assigned to Jordan is security coordination, mainly to infiltrate Sunni extremists and hand them over to the US. Jordan played a significant role in the global war waged by the US against terrorism.

Meet Dr. Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, a pediatrician who treats children during the day in Jordan, At night he transforms on internet forums into "Abu Dujana Al-Khurasani." The online "Mujahid" who posts fiery speeches and messages against the Americans and their "agents."

Who is Abu Dujana?

Abu Dujana gained significant popularity on Islamic forums for his candid and mocking views of the American presence in the region and became an admin for one of the forums. The increase in his followers caught the attention of the Jordanian intelligence who informed the CIA, and they were able to track him and locate him in Jordan.

Despite no evidence of Balawi's involvement in any terrorist activity, the American intelligence had to decide how to handle him.

Jordanian Intelligence officer Ali bin Zaid (from the royal palace) a member of the ruling family, was tasked with investigating Balawi.
After conducting a background check on Balawi, he discovered that he was a successful young man with a doctorate in medicine and no criminal record or connections to extremist groups.

Early 2009

Jordanian Intelligence raided Balawi's home and arrested him in the late-night hours, dragging him from his bed to a waiting car on charges of promoting extremist Islamic groups.

Within a few hours of his arrest, he faced psychological and physical torture, beatings, and sleep deprivation.

Initially, he refused to cooperate, but soon collapsed under torture and admitted to supporting some of Al-Qaeda's like ideas.

Three days later, he was released but came out broken and at the mercy of intelligence.

Ali Bin Zaid decided to use this intelligent doctor and persuade him to actually join Taliban (Pakistan) and work for the CIA and Jordanian intelligence in fighting extremism.

Jordanian intelligence employs hundreds of agents and informants, who fall into two types:

1-Low-ranking informers who are unreliable.

2- Elite agents who have undergone the highest level of training and spent years building a cover, allowing them to work covertly. (Some of them even became close to Islamic groups leaders as mentioned by Humam Khalil)

Balawi did not fall into either of these categories, but there was undoubtedly a role for him that intelligence could benefit from.

The task of finding this role was assigned to Ali bin Zaid, the Jordanian intelligence officer, who needed to befriend Balawi to gain his trust and exploit his intelligence and popularity on the online forums.

Balawi had no choice but to respond to bin Zaid's repeated invitations to help reach terrorists, repeating:
"Osama bin Laden's vision of Islam is distorted; the Quran prohibits killing the innocent, the true principles of Islam are embodied in Jordan's King Abdullah II, a Hashemite the descendant of the Prophet."

Balawi nodded in tactical agreement to work with intelligence,
Shortly, Balawi left Jordan, pretending to travel to the United States to continue his studies.

But his real destination was Peshawar, Pakistan, a stronghold of Islamic groups.

The Jordanian doctor arrived in Pakistan as a double agent
Contact between him and intelligence was lost for days, causing concern for Ali bin Zaid, but soon he resumed communication, bringing information about his meetings with Taliban, and expressing his desire to head to the "FATA" (The semi-autonomous tribal region between Afghanistan and Pakistan)

This desire sparked a heated debate within the Jordanian and American intelligence agencies, given the risks of the mission and Balawi's lack of training and experience.
Nonetheless, he was sent under a new operational name, "Wolf,"
With the promise of a significant reward if he succeeded in reaching a high-profile individual.

End of 2009.

The sudden improvement in Balawi's performance as a spy was thrilling and unexpected.

A short message from Balawi to the intelligence officer, Ali Bin Zaid, was a shock that amazed everyone:
Dr. Balawi was treating a new patient, Ayman al-Zawahiri!!!!!

Balawi emailed a description of Zawahiri's health conditions and information about his medical history that perfectly matched the information the CIA had obtained from Egyptian intelligence.!!!!

The operation took a dramatic turn, and Balawi appeared to be a reliable source.

The enthusiasm of American and Jordanian officials increased after Balawi revealed an agreement for another meeting with his new patient for follow-up.

The excitement spread from Amman to Langley (CIA headquarters in Virginia).

2006 was the last time the CIA had a glimpse of Ayman al-Zawahiri!

CIA officers briefed the American president:
"Nothing about the operation makes sense,"

However, the Jordanian intelligence officer, bin Zaid, insisted on continuing the work, and the Jordanian intelligence officer Ali bin Zaid traveled with CIA officer Darren LaBonte (photo) to Afghanistan to meet Balawi.

Humam stated in a video that he hates the Jordanian regime, especially the agent officer Bin Zaid from the royal palace, he described them as “traitors” and “oppressors.” He planned to eliminate him, not knowing that there would be CIA officers present.

The meeting ended in disaster, as Balawi passed through the gates of the Khost military base without being searched and then detonated himself, resulting in his death and the death of 7 CIA officers and the Jordanian intelligence officer Ali bin Zaid, and injuring 6 others.

The Jordanian army mourned the death of officer Sharif Ali bin Zaid on December 31, 2009, with the statement:

(During his participation in a humanitarian mission with the Jordanian Armed Forces in Afghanistan)

And denied his involvement in any intelligence operation as an agent for the CIA in Afghanistan.

Balawi stated on a recorded tape broadcasted by the Pakistani channel Arry after the news of the incident spread in the media:

"The Jordanian officer, who’s related and very close to the Jordanian king, Bin Zaid, told me after I sent him information about the Taliban (with the Taliban's knowledge): 'You have made us proud in front of the Americans, and they are really happy with what you have provided.'"

"That was when I became certain of my suspicions that the Jordanian regime is more Kafirs than the Americans themselves, and I confirmed their treachery."

This story is published in an American book called "The Triple Agent: The Al-Qaeda Mole who Infiltrated the CIA" by: Joby Warrick

And you can find news articles about it dated to that time.

Photo of King Abdullah in the funeral of Ali bin Zaid.