The group members are recruited from different branches of the Saudi forces, directing several areas of expertise.[1] The source was independently verified by Middle East Eye, though it could not confirm his information.[5] On the other hand, BBC Newsnight reported a team of fifty Saudi officers to target Saudi critics was created in summer of 2018,[4] and, according to David Ignatius, United States intelligence became aware in September 2018 of a "tiger team" to be created by Asiri for covert operations against unknown targets.[6]