Foreign Fighters in Syria (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
| Tracking # |
A-21-01544 A-21-01543 1471256-000 1471230-000 |
| Multi Request | Foreign Fighters in Syria |
| Submitted | July 10, 2020 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Matthew Petti
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
Any documents (including but not limited to bulletins, intelligence assessments, appraisals, snapshots, alerts, situational information reports, Homeland Intelligence Today articles, and reference aids) referring to foreign fighters among the "Syrian Kurds," the People's Defense Units (YPG), the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), or the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). You may limit your search from October 2014 to June 2020.
I request that I be properly classified as a news media requester. I am a reporter for the National Interest, and I am requesting this information in that editorial capacity.
The National Interest is widely recognized for its reporting, publishing regular features on issues of public interest and importance. In addition, I have covered areas related to this request, and plan to use my editorial skills to analyze and produce original reporting work for millions of monthly readers at NationalInterest.org.
If you have any questions about my media status, please contact me.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Matthew Petti
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
There are eFOIA files available for you to download.
From: Matthew Petti
Dear Section Chief Seidel:
Thank you for your prompt response to FOIA requests 1471209-000 and 1471264-000.
Just to clarify, are you processing my July 20th message as four separate FOIA requests? I see that you have already processed separate requests for "Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)" and "Syrian Kurds." Are there still requests being processed for "People's Defense Units (YPG)" and "Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)"? If so, what are the request number(s) for future reference?
Thank you again for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to working with you as we move forward with this request.
Best,
Matthew
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
There are eFOIA files available for you to download.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
There are eFOIA files available for you to download.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
There are eFOIA files available for you to download.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
There are eFOIA files available for you to download.
From: Matthew Petti
To whom this may concern:
My name is Matthew Petti and I am writing in regards to two of my FOIA requests, numbered 1471230-000 and 1471256-000. In both cases, the Bureau has indicated that it was unable to locate responsive records. I am appealing the integrity of the search, on the basis of, but not limited to, that other Federal government correspondence indicates that the Bureau has records on the subject matter. For example, a Department of Homeland Security field analysis report (attached to this letter; see footnote 20) cites a suspicious activity report from the Ohio FBI office about an American who traveled to fight alongside Kurdish fighters in Syria.
It beggars belief that the Bureau performed a search reasonably calculated to locate the records requested and failed to find any responsive documents. Please conduct a more exhaustive search of the Central Records System, including but not limited to the Electronic Surveillance (ELSUR) Indices, the Microphone Surveillance (MISUR) Indices, the Physical Surveillance (FISUR) Indices, and the Technical Surveillance (TESUR) Indices, for both main-file records and cross-reference records of both HQ and all field offices for all relevant names, agencies, organizations, companies and events including but not limited to those cited in the previous paragraphs and/or links. This search should include but not be limited to 137, 157, 176, 177, 183, 184, 188, and 214 files. If previously released records are available, then I request a rolling release consisting of those records while additional records are located and processed for release.
I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Best regards,
Matthew Petti
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Office of Information Policy has received your FOIA Appeal. Please see the attached acknowledgment letter.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Office of Information Policy has received your FOIA Appeal. Please see the attached acknowledgment letter.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Office of Information Policy has made its final determination on your FOIA Appeal Number A-2021-01544 . A copy of this determination is enclosed for your review, along with any enclosures, if applicable. Thank you.
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Office of Information Policy has made its final determination on your FOIA Appeal Number A-2021-01543 . A copy of this determination is enclosed for your review, along with any enclosures, if applicable. Thank you.
