Halima Salman, a 27-year-old U.S. citizen and former Brooklyn resident, was convicted Tuesday of knowingly receiving military-style training from ISIS in Syria. Prosecutors said she pledged loyalty to the terrorist organization, trained with an assault rifle and received certification of her training. Salman faces up to 10 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 2. Her defense argued that she was a teenager drawn into Syria by her father and later controlled by her husband.
The verdict followed a closely watched federal terrorism trial in Brooklyn. It was believed to be the first U.S. federal trial involving a woman accused of joining ISIS. Jurors had twice indicated difficulty reaching a unanimous decision before returning the guilty verdict.
| 1) | Jury convicts Salman after terrorism trial |
| 2) | Prosecutors describe ISIS training and support |
| 3) | Defense portrays a teenager caught in war |
| 4) | Evidence and emotional courtroom reaction |
| 5) | Detention, return to the United States and sentencing |
Jury convicts Salman after terrorism trial
A federal jury in Brooklyn found Halima Salman guilty on Oct. 27, 2026, of knowingly receiving military-style training from ISIS, also known as the Islamic State. The charge concerned conduct that prosecutors said occurred while Salman was living in ISIS-controlled territory in Syria. The conviction came in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn after jurors considered testimony, photographs, videos and communications attributed to Salman.
The case focused on whether Salman voluntarily received training from a foreign terrorist organization. The government argued that her conduct demonstrated knowing participation in ISIS activities, while the defense challenged the interpretation of her actions and circumstances. The verdict makes Salman subject to a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Prosecutors describe ISIS training and support
Federal prosecutors said Salman’s parents took her and her eight siblings out of the United States in 2016 and eventually brought the family to territory controlled by ISIS in Syria. Prosecutors said Salman was 18 when she married an ISIS fighter and later sought military-style instruction from the group.
The government presented evidence that Salman pledged loyalty to ISIS, was authorized to carry an assault rifle and received a document confirming that she had completed training. Officials said the document was later recovered from her husband’s cellphone. Jurors also saw video of Salman holding a rifle, a photograph showing her with an ISIS flag and text messages she sent to her husband that prosecutors described as supportive of the organization.
“With today’s verdict, Salman is held accountable for joining forces with a terrorist organization,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said.
Defense portrays a teenager caught in war
Salman’s attorneys presented a different account of how she reached Syria and became connected to ISIS. They argued that she was a teenager who believed her family was traveling to visit relatives in Turkey, only to learn that her father had taken the family across the border into Syria.
Salman testified that she blamed her father for much of what happened and did not want to be married at 18. She said she tried to obtain a divorce and described the danger she faced while attempting to leave her husband and the group.
“You try to leave, it is death,” Salman testified.
She also testified that she eventually escaped with other refugees and separated from her husband. The defense asked jurors to consider her age, family circumstances and ability to control her own movements when evaluating the charge.
Evidence and emotional courtroom reaction
The verdict followed repeated jury deliberations. Jurors previously told the court they were struggling to reach unanimity and were sent back twice to continue considering the evidence. After the guilty verdict was read, Salman cried and was consoled by members of her defense team.
Her mother, who arrived after the court learned that the jury had reached a decision, also cried in the gallery. Lead defense attorney Mia Eisner-Grynberg and other members of the legal team were visibly emotional. The proceedings were overseen by U.S. District Judge Natasha Merle.
Detention, return to the United States and sentencing
Salman was detained in Baghouz, Syria, in 2019 by forces fighting ISIS. She returned to New York and was arrested by U.S. authorities in 2024. Her prosecution brought the case into a U.S. federal court years after the conduct described at trial.
Salman’s attorneys have asked the judge to set aside the verdict and acquit her, arguing that the evidence was legally insufficient to support the conviction. That request remains separate from sentencing, which is scheduled for Feb. 2. If the conviction stands, Salman could receive a prison term of up to 10 years.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A Brooklyn jury convicted Halima Salman of knowingly receiving ISIS military training. |
| 2 | Prosecutors presented evidence involving a rifle, an ISIS flag, messages and a training certificate. |
| 3 | The defense said Salman was drawn into Syria as a teenager and later struggled to leave. |
| 4 | She faces up to 10 years in prison and is scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 2. |
Summary
The conviction establishes that jurors accepted the prosecution’s account that Halima Salman knowingly received military-style training from ISIS in Syria. Her defense continues to dispute the legal sufficiency of the evidence and emphasizes her age, family influence and efforts to leave the conflict zone. The next major proceeding is her sentencing, unless the court first grants her request for acquittal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Halima Salman convicted of?
She was convicted of knowingly receiving military-style training from ISIS, a foreign terrorist organization, while in Syria.
How much prison time does Salman face?
She faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 2.
What did Salman’s defense argue?
Her defense argued that she was drawn into Syria as a teenager by her father, later pressured by her husband and unable to safely leave the situation.
What happens next in the case?
The court is expected to consider Salman’s request to set aside the verdict and acquit her, followed by sentencing if the conviction remains in place.
