Category: AQAP

al-Malāḥim Media presents a new video from al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula: "By the Lord of the Ka'abah, I Triumphed [Part 2]"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

UPDATE 4/30/12 4:26 PM: Here is an English translation of the below Arabic video message and transcription:

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UPDATE: Here is an Arabic transcript of the video:
Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula- “By the Lord of the Ka’abah, I Triumphed [Part 2]“
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NOTE: This video is the second part of a series titled “By the Lord of the Ka’abah, I Triumphed.” The first part was released June 26, 2009. As Christopher Anzalone mentioned on twitter yesterday, the first part highlighted two suicide bombers — ‘Abd al-Raḥman bin Mahdī (Abū ‘Ubaydah bin al-Jarrāḥ) & Khāled al-Ṣan’aānī — prior to their attack against South Korean tourists and their guide in Shibam in Yemen’s southern Hadramut province. In the second part, it features ‘Abdullah Haṣan al-‘Asīrī, who attempted, but failed to kill Saudi Arabian prince Nayef in August 2009, who is in charge of the de-radicalization of jihadists. Also, in the second part, Qāsim al-Raymī, a deputy commander in AQAP, threatened another attempt on Nayef’s life: “I advise you to check before going to bed that there’s no suicide bomber or bomb in the room.”
In addition, in case one was wondering, the first half of the title of the video Lord of the Ka’abah (the black cube-shaped building in the middle of the Grand Mosque in Makka) is a reference to God, which originated from Qur’ānic sūrāt (chapters) al-Fīl (the elephant) and Quraysh (the tribe of the Muslim prophet Muḥammad). Sūrah al-Fīl describes how God saved the Ka’abah from destruction, while Sūrah Quraysh describes God as Lord of the Ka’abah. The title could also be construed as a snub to the Saudi royals as well. Since 1986, Saudi Arabian kings have designated themselves as the “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.” Therefore, by referencing the Lord of the Ka’abah, AQAP is reiterating that the Saudi rulers are not the true sovereign over the two holy mosques in Makka and Medīnah and further delegitimizing their rule.
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My new article at Foreign Policy's Middle East Channel: "What if Obama’s Yemen policy works?"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin


In the past month, Yemen has returned to the spotlight. The CIA now believes that the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is a larger security threat to the United States than al Qaeda Central in Pakistan. Since then, press accounts have stated that the United States government plans to carry out drone attacks in Yemen, and reported that U.S. Central Command plans to give $1.2 billion in aid to Yemen’s military over a five-year period. But such policies, no matter how well-intentioned, are unlikely to solve the very real challenges posed by al Qaeda’s presence in Yemen and may well make the situation worse.
It originally appeared that there was widespread consensus in the government on providing such military aid to Yemen. But a recent article in the New York Times highlights that there is a vigorous debate within the Obama administration about the efficacy of such aid. The Obama administration has been debating the legality of droning an American citizen (i.e. Anwar al-Awlaki). Before rushing into a major new program, it’s worth recalling the reasons why past U.S.-backed efforts aimed at eliminating al Qaeda’s presence in Yemen have failed.
Read the rest here.

al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula's al-Malāḥim Media presents: "Martyrs of the Arabian Peninsula #2 – Hānī 'Abdah Maṣlah Sha'alān (Salmān al-Ṣan'aānī)"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

UPDATE: Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum releases an English translation of “Martyrs of the Arabian Peninsula #2 – Hānī ‘Abdah Maṣlah Sha’alān (Salmān al-Ṣan’aānī).”

Click the following link for a safe Pdf copy: “Martyrs of the Arabian Peninsula #2 – Hānī ‘Abdah Maṣlah Sha’alān (Salmān al-Ṣan’aānī)” (English)
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NOTE: In case you missed it, here is “Martyrs of the Arabian Peninsula #1” in English and Arabic.
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Click the following link for a safe Pdf copy: al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula’s al-Malāḥim Media presents- “Martyrs of the Arabian Peninsula #2 – Hānī ‘Abdah Maṣlah Sha’alān (Salmān al-Ṣan’aānī)”

English translation of "Too many Conferences facing the Believers" from al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula's magazine Ṣadā al-Malāḥim

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: This article is from Issue 13 of al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula’s magazine Ṣadā al-Malāḥim, which was originally published in May 2010.
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Editorial Staff — Sada al-Malahem, Issue 13 – Too many Conferences facing the Believers
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Official Document: al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula's Southern Yemen Hitlist

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

UPDATE:

  • On October 22, Muḥammad ‘Abd al-‘Azīz, an intelligence officer, was killed by two masked men on a motorcycle near his home in Mukallā. It should be noted that the above individual might not have been on the list, rather it is a conjecture on my part since his name bares some resemblance to an individual on the hitlist.
  • On October 12, a month after AQAP posted the below hitlist, two gunmen on a motorcycle killed their first victim, Ghāzī al-Samāwī, a criminal investigations officer.

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NOTE: Yesterday, al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula posted a hit list, which has fifty-five names on it to the doors of residents in Zinjibar, the provincial capital of Abyan Governorate. The list named thirty-one state security officers, fifteen members of the judiciary police and nine members of military intelligence.
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AQAP’s Southern Yemen Hitlist
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Three new statements from al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

UPDATE 2: The Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum has translated al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula’s statement “Defending the Muslims in Lawdar”:

Praise be to Allah, who said: “Verily Allah will defend (from ill) those who believe: verily, Allah loveth not any that is a traitor to faith, or show ingratitude” [Al-Hajj: 38]. Prayers and peace upon the one who was sent with the sword and mercy to the people who know. He said: “The Muslim should be a brother to the Muslim. He shouldn’t oppress him or turn him over. Whoever needs his brother; Allah is behind that need. Whoever relieves a Muslim in distress; Allah will relieve him of the distress of Judgment Day.” Prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, his family and upon his Companions.
On Thursday, the ninth of the blessed month of Ramadan 1431 H (corresponding to August 19th 2010), soldiers of the apostate force belonging to the brigade located in northeast Lodar in Abyan Province, attacked peaceful Muslims in the Lodar Market. This occurred after a conflict between some of the soldiers and some residents of the city. This brutal military force terrorized the Muslims and indiscriminately opened fire on them with heavy weapons. The Mujahideen confronted them, and the results of the first day were four soldiers killed, destruction and burning of a set of military equipment and the neutralization of two military patrols. They also plundered a number of automatic weapons. This occurred before Iftar.
The army indiscriminately bombed the city marketplace and its homes, which resulted in two Muslims being killed and two others being wounded.
The next day, Friday afternoon, a military force belonging to Central Security entered Lodar to subdue the Muslims there, and the Mujahideen opposed them. A military armored vehicle was burned and destroyed with soldiers inside it, a set of military equipment was burned and a number of automatic weapons were captured, as a well as a 12.7 mm Dushka. Sixteen Central Security soldiers were killed. They launched a criminal campaign to indiscriminately bomb the city, and the bombing lasted for about an hour.
Military reinforcements arrived on the third day and focused on the entry to Lodar. The Mujahideen, with the help of Allah, attacked them at 3:00 in the morning. The results of the battle included the destruction of a number of vehicles and tanks. More than 30 of the tyrant’s soldiers were killed and dozens were injured. The Mujahideen safely returned to their bases.
We confirm that the Yemeni government is lying when it claims that it has control of Lodar. This is their habit after every one of their defeats. We also proclaim good news to our Muslim Ummah that its Mujahid vanguard in Lodar, Abyan remains gloriously powerful, thanks to the Exulted Allah. Not even one Mujahid was killed or captured as of the writing of this statement. No brother has received even the slightest wound.

{“And Allah hath full power and control over His affairs;
But most among mankind know it not”}
Pray for your brothers the Mujahideen
Your Brothers in
Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula
Thursday, 16 Ramadan 1431 H (Corresponding to August 26th 2010)
Source: Al-Fajr Media Center

UPDATE: Flashpoint Partners released an English translation of al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula’s statement “Eradicating Malice” Here is a brief abstract of the transcript and below it is the entire translation:

On September 6, 2010, Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) released a statement claiming responsibility for waging “a series of operations…against the soldiers of apostasy,” in Abyan, Yemen. The attacks resulted in 24 casualties, a number of injuries, and the seizure  of automatic weapons, as well as the destruction of vehicles and a military post.

Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula- Statement on Operation “Eradicating Malice”
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Al-Qaida in the Arabian peninsula- Operations within the Eliminating evil campaign
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Al-Qaida in the Arabian peninsula- Statement regarding the assassination of the deputy director of the secret service in Marib
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Al-Qaida in the Arabian peninsula- Defending the Muslims in Lawdar
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News Yemen reports that al-Qā’idah in Abyan (AQAP) circulated statement denying members were arrested or surrendered

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

Here are the key points from the News Yemen article:

Al-Qaeda in Yemen has distributed a proclamation in Zinjibar city of Abyan province under the name of “Mujahideen in the Arabian Peninsula,” denying “allegations” of the security authorities that they have arrested 10 al-Qaeda fighters in Lawder, according to News Yemen correspondent in Abyan.
The statement, which was distributed for some mosques, markets and shops in the city, denied press reports that seven members of al-Qaeda were killed and others surrendered to the security authorities in Abyan.
The statement described reports as “media campaign to deform the reputation of al-Qaeda amongst people,” confirming that al-Qaeda still controls the situation in Lawder and mujahideen remain strong,” according to the correspondent of News Yemen in Zinjibar.
The statement called upon what he called their fellow Muslims not to get information from the official media and to get it from “truthful brothers and Mujahideen’s websites on the internet like Al-Fajr Media Center and the network of supporters of the Mujahideen and the Fallujah blog and others.”
The proclamation said that the state of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, it labeled him as “black Ansi”, has launched military and media campaigns against Mujahideen with assistance of U.S. spy planes, asserting that Mujahideen will continue jihad against the “enemies of the religion.”

The Global Islamic Media Front presents a translation of al-Malāḥim Media's lecture "Loyalty to the Believers" by Abū Zūbayr 'Adīl bīn 'Abdullah al-Abāb

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

UPDATE: Check out Ahmad al-Zaky’s great analysis of al-Abāb’s essay at his blog Ma’alim fi al-Tariq.
NOTE: The document could not be uploaded to Scribd since it was password protected by the maker of it. That said, below is a safe PDF copy of it.
For more on Abū Zūbayr ‘Adīl bīn ‘Abdullah al-Abāb see the various posts by Gregory D. Johnsen of Waq al-Waq on him. al-Abāb is believed to be in al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula’s (AQAP) shūrā council.
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The Global Islamic Media Front presents a translation of al-Malāḥim Media’s lecture “Loyalty to the Believers” by Abū Zūbayr ‘Adīl bīin ‘Abdullah al-Abāb

al-Malāḥim Media presents a new audio message from Shaykh Abū Sufyān al-Azdī (Sa'īd al-Shehrī), deputy leader al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula: "United to Overthrow Al-Saud"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

UPDATE: Flashpoint Partners released a transcript of Shaykh Abū Sufyān al-Azdī (Sa’īd al-Shehrī) most recent audio message titled: “United to Overthrow Al-Saud.” Here is a brief abstract of the transcript and below it is the entire transcript:

On August 10, 2010, an audiotape featuring Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula  (AQAP) senior commander Sheikh Abu Sufian al-Azdi (a.k.a. Saeed al-Shehri) titled “Together: To Overthrow Al-Saud” was released. Al-Azdi claimed that “the Jews and the apostates from the rulers of the Arabian Peninsula are in an alliance that was formed by America, and Iran and their Arab Shiite supporters in the region are in another alliance…And what is expected is for the war to begin by the Jews against Iran, and the reality of the battle will be in the land of the Peninsula and the ash-Sham [Middle East]: the Jews in the ash-Sham and Iran in the Peninsula.” Calling for the overthrow of the Saudi government, al-Azdi requested support from “those who belong to the military air-force, or officials in weapons storages, or officials in the army or the interior, or centers of operation and media rooms.” Specifically, he asked those who work “in the Ministry of Interior and who can bring important information that may benefit the mujahideen in assigning their targets—like houses and roads and the officer of Ministry of Interior officials—then he must send it to us via the military email that belongs to the [al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula] Organization.” And al-Azdi urged “any of you who is a pilot should search of martyrdom above the skies of Palestine, and any of you who work in the navy should point his weapon against the Jews there and receive the honor of martyrdom…”

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NOTE: Sa’īd al-Shehrī is of Saudi background and was one of the first prisoners at Guantánamo Bay, arriving January 21, 2002. He spent six years in Guantánamo prior to being repatriated to Saudi Arabia and enrolled in their rehabilitation program. Afterwards, he went to Yemen and has since been considered the deputy leader of al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula. It was reported this past December that al-Shehrī was killed in a drone strike and then in January 2010 was captured by the Yemeni government. All these claims were false, though, since al-Shehrī later released an audio message denying allegations that he was dead.
For more on al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula read the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s report by Alistair Harris titled “Exploiting Grievances: Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.”
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al-Malāḥim Media presents a new audio message from Shaykh Abū Sufyān al-Azdī (Sa’īd al-Shehrī), deputy leader al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula: “United to Overthrow Al-Saud”

al-Malāḥim Media presents "Why I chose al-Qā’idah" by Shaykh Abū Muṣ'ab Moḥammed 'Umayr al-'Awlaqī

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Apparently, Abū Muṣ’ab Moḥammed ‘Umayr al-‘Awlaqī was killed in late 2009. Due to the document being password protected I cannot upload the file to Scribd. Nonetheless, below is a copy of it in PDF, which you can download (it is safe).
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Al-Malahim presents- Why I chose Al-Qaida “by Sheikh Abu Musab Mohammed Omair Al-Awlaqi