Prior to joining al-Qaida, al-Bakri was a member of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad terrorist group, under the direction of Ayman al-Zawahiri. He served as an instructor in al-Qaida's camps in Afghanistan, providing terrorist recruits with training in the use of explosives and chemical weapons. Al-Bakri also unsuccessfully attempted to hijack a Pakistani Air passenger flight in December 2000. It is likely that he continues to train al-Qaida terrorists and other extremists.
Kabla ya kujiunga na al-Qaida, al-Bakri alikuwa mwanachama wa kundi la kigaidi la Misri la Islamic Jihad, chini ya uongozi wa Ayman al-Zawahiri. Aliwahi kuwa mkufunzi katika kambi za al-Qaida nchini Afghanistan, akiwapa wanajeshi wa kigaidi mafunzo ya matumizi ya vilipuzi na silaha za kemikali. Al-Bakri pia alijaribu kuteka nyara ndege ya abiria ya Pakistani Air bila mafanikio mnamo Desemba 2000. Kuna uwezekano kwamba anaendelea kutoa mafunzo kwa magaidi wa al-Qaida na watu wengine wenye msimamo mkali.