The Curious Case of Maria Bell

On 28 June, a New Jersey-based American woman called Maria Bell pled guilty to concealing of material support for a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organisation: namely, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. While the Justice Department’s announcement was not specific on details, it emerged that she had apparently sent money intended for a person who claimed to be a fighter with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and with whom she was in love. She also apparently used her prior army experience to provide advice on military matters like training and use of weapons. Here I intend to offer some further insight into this recently convicted person and her conduct based on my own experiences with her.