Aimee Lucia Vasconez and Ali Abdel-Jabbar met at a bar in north Edmonton. They were from diverse backgrounds and had two sons together. However, they ended up joining the Islamic State, with Ali fighting in Syria and ultimately dying. Aimee ended up in a detention camp in Syria after being released, following which she returned to Edmonton. Alberta has seen its fair share of individuals joining groups like ISIS, with some residents playing significant roles in extremist activities. The RCMP has conducted investigations into Alberta residents who joined ISIS, and some have been convicted for their involvement in terrorist activities.
Aimee’s journey with ISIS began when she withdrew a large sum of money from her bank account and eventually traveled to Syria with Ali. They joined ISIS-controlled territory in 2015, and Ali began fighting with a brigade for foreign fighters. After Ali’s death, Aimee became more involved with ISIS, with documents indicating she received military training from the group. As ISIS faced significant losses, Aimee found herself trapped with her children in Baghouz, and eventually captured by Kurdish fighters. She was held in detention camps in Syria, before being repatriated to Canada along with other women.
Upon her return to Canada, Aimee was arrested by the RCMP under a terrorism peace bond. She was not charged with terrorism but was placed under restrictions and enrolled in de-radicalization programs. Her family described a significant change in her demeanor, with Aimee being colder and more closed off since her return from Syria. Aimee’s family believes she was forced or brainwashed by ISIS, as her actions were out of character. They hope for her and her children to heal and for Aimee to return to the person she was before joining ISIS. Meanwhile, the RCMP continues to monitor her activities and ensure public safety.
The actions of Aimee and Ali highlight the reach of ISIS into Alberta and the impact it has had on individuals and families. The lure of extremist ideologies, along with the ease of recruitment and travel to conflict zones, have led to the involvement of Alberta residents in terrorist activities. Aimee’s story sheds light on the complexity of radicalization and the challenges of reintegration for individuals who have become involved with extremist groups. The efforts of law enforcement agencies to address the issue of radicalization and prevent future incidents are ongoing, as they work to protect public safety and counter the influence of terrorist organizations.
