Category: AQAP

English translation of Shaykh Abū Sufyān al-Azdī’s [Sa’īd al-Shehrī] “Qaṭar: The Secretary of the Rafidites” from Issue #15 of al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula’s Ṣadā al-Malāḥim Magazine

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Click here for the entire issue of AQAP’s most recent release of its magazine Ṣadā al-Malāḥim. Also see ‘Umar al-Jawfī’s “The Ḥūthīs And The Coming Project,” which was also recently  translated here and Abū Ubaydah al-Ḥaḍramī’s “A Dream Come True” here. Below is Shaykh Abū Sufyān al-Azdī’s [Sa’īd al-Shehrī] “Qaṭar: The Secretary of the Rafidites” unedited from the translation provided at the Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum.
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Anyone who is following the Rafidite movement in the Arabian Peninsula can see that it starts and ends in Qatar. This is witnessed in the case of the Houthis in Yemen, and how the reconciliation and the cease-fire were achieved via the state of Qatar; and how this agreement became a (diplomatic) document for pressuring the Yemeni government. Indeed it is the Yemeni government that is now requesting the implementation of these agreements, and is conferring directly with the Qatari government to convince the Houthi Rafidites to calm down. Likewise (Qatar) intervened in the dialogue with the Hizb al-Lat, and in the area (which) was under the control (of Hizb al-Lat), and where they had established their reforms, at a time when it was assumed that Iran was moving events there, since Hizb al-Lat is after all of Iran’s military wing in Lebanon. What happened in the south between Hizb al-Lat and its Rafidite supporters on the one hand and the UNIFIL forces on the other made Iran intervene at the same (time) that Syria and Saudi Arabia intervened to calm the struggle between Rafidites and Sunnis in the region. What we witness today between Hasan Nasrallah and Sa’d al-Hariri, who represents the Saudi current in Lebanon, shows that matters are about to explode. Syria may have something to do with that, since this is to its benefit. Thus, is revealed the relationship between Iran and the lackey Qatari government, which is highlighted by the recent visit of Ahmadinejad to Qatar, which caused alarm among the Gulf states and was followed by visits by some Gulf leaders, and what happened in Bahrain after this meeting revealed the Rafidite danger in the region, and the danger of Qatar in facilitating Rafidite affairs outside Iran, and the coordination among Iran and its followers abroad.
In the late nineties, Qatar played a dangerous role in coordinating between Iran and the Jews. Iran was thereby able to take possession of the Palestinian situation through HAMAS and take possession of its leaders, so that Iraq took control of regional affairs through the Palestinian issue. The statements we see from the Iranian government today and how Hamas reacts to these statements with military operations on the ground of reality all point to the imminent outbreak of a new war in the region. The Jews (want) to finish the Palestinian issue. They therefore entered into public, direct negotiations with the lackey Abbas. By these negotiations, they want to calm matters in Palestine so that they are able to open a new front against Iran in the Gulf. Iran is trying by all means to avoid becoming involved in a war during this period, which is the Shia golden age in the region. They possess the military might and the political capability to expand in the region, so war is not in their interest at this time. Iran wants to achieve control over the governments of neighboring countries, as is now the case in Iraq and is occurring in Bahrain. It is expected that there will occur in the Land of the Two Holy Mosques and Kuwait the same unrest that occurred in Bahrain, and the rebellion against the lackey government. Iran is now racing against time to replace all the regional governments with client Shia governments. This will pave the way for them to destroy the Sunnis or convert them to the Rafidite ideology.
What is the role that Ahl al-Sunnah should play in these events, under the rule of such lackey governments?
The one who studies the scholars who are the leaders of the Ummah of Ahl al-Sunnah in the Gulf states, sees that they – except those upon whom Allah has had mercy – rush singing into the embrace of their lackey government or praise America to gain its goodwill or obtain the opportunity to appear on a television show on one of the satellite networks or on a website they are afraid might be closed one day. This is the case of many of them, except those upon whom Allah has had mercy. Or they are like the scholar who is content with taking stupidity as his banner and abandoning sources of information and what is happening in reality on the ground. Such one receives nothing but the government-run networks that broadcast news and so he issues his fatwas based on this news. He does not heed anyone who offers him advice revealing to him what is happening in real world to the Muslims. It has become his business to repeat what his government utters and thus societies become disengaged from what is happening to them. Moreover, some of them who claim to belong to ‘Ilm are raising the Muslim masses on a distortion of the creed of al-wala’ wal-bara’ (loyalty and enmity), cowardice in confrontation; humiliation before the enemies and prostration before their leaders.
As for the governments: They have lost security in their survival, and are confused about to whom to turn in these events, especially after they have seen their master; America shamed and humiliated in Afghanistan and Iraq. They have lost the ability to open any new front in which to defend itself or aid its lackeys. The governments are so ensnared (that they) are clutching at any straw that will rescue them: sometimes looking to China, at other times to India, then heading to Russia. There are arms deals to buy Russian loyalty, and other such blundering we did not reach us. But those shouting back and forth have no life. No doubt these governments will fall and people will be able to march with the Book in one hand and a weapon in the other to defend against the humiliation of the subjugation of colonialism.
As for the peoples of the Arabian Peninsula, goodness is latent in the coming generation, the generation of epic battles and conquests, Allah permitting. This is also the generation which is raising the banner of Jihad as an perception of those societies whose lackey apostate governments try to depict in their media as morally decayed people of confused creed and foolish dreams. Despite this media distortion, the fact is that the goodness still shines through Allah permitting. Even if the voice of corruption is raised high, the people of Deen are true and present to enjoin the good and forbid vice. If the media is capable of misguiding the Muslim masses away from the truth and reality that they are demanding, the Islamic Jihadist media has, Allah permitting, reached every house. It has been able, Allah permitting, to refute the errors of those who misguide and Ahl al-Sunnah, Allah permitting, have become aware of the plots hatched against them by their enemies. Praise be to Allah, they are starting to be aware of the reality of these governments, and see their clear clientage. This is a grace from Allah, even if they were cut off from arms.
Finally, we say to our brothers among Ahl al-Sunnah in Qatar:
The danger that is befalling Ahl al-Sunnah in the Arabian Peninsula is from the Rafidite Shia and from their lackey government. The assistance and aid their government is providing to the Rafidites will assist the Rafidites in occupying the entire peninsula. By Allah, what the Rafidites will undertake in the Arabian Peninsula is more evil and calamitous than what they did in Iraq. Fear Allah, people of Qatar! And hold back your stupid ones from us as much as you can.
Finally, we pray; all praise to Allah, Lord of Creation.
Translated From Sada al-Malahim Magazine Issue #15

GUEST POST: Some Inchoate Thoughts on Ideology

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: As with all guest posts, the opinions expressed below are those of the guest author and they do not necessarily represent the views of this blogs administrator.
Jihadology.net aims to not only provide primary sources for researchers and occasional analysis of them, but also to allow other young and upcoming students as well as established academics or policy wonks to contribute original analysis on issues related to Global Jihadism. If you would like to contribute a piece, please email your idea/post to azelin [at] jihadology [dot] net. Pieces should be no longer than 2,000 words please.
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By Joshua Foust
Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens wrote a provocative article for Foreign Policy, in which he argues that Anwar al-Aulaqi, the American-Yemeni preacher working for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, is “the most persuasive supporter of jihad for Muslims in the West.”
Under any circumstances, this would be a difficult argument to make: persuasion is notoriously difficult to quantify and measure. Even in discourse studies, measuring the influence or persuasion of individual figures is difficult: there is first-mover bias (in which one is important not because of any merit but merely because one said it first), and any number of other phenomenon that contribute to one’s influence in unpredictable ways. Politicians hire PR consultants, management consultants, and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars per month on “messaging,” and still cannot consistently predict reaction and electoral outcome.
Marketing firms try this as well: planting the desire for a product, or persuading consumers to purchase something they might not need but might definitely want. Marketing, too, is notoriously unpredictable—for reasons few people acknowledge or explain one quirky, off-beat commercial like the Old Spice Guy is a raging success, while a similarly quirky advertising campaign like Burger King’s is an expensive failure.
This is because, at the end of the day, it’s rare that people are “persuaded” to do anything. As humans, we tend to seek confirmation of our beliefs and wants and to ignore contrasting information—and there is a rich field of studies in cognitive psychology to back this up. In other words, most advertising—and most political messaging—is really about reinforcing beliefs and wants one already has, and providing a means to express justification for them.
In that light, describing Aulaqi as “the most persuasive” doesn’t make any sense. There is no way to prove such an argument. And indeed, in Meleagrou-Hitchens’ article, his evidence never rises above the circumstantial: some people read something on the Internet, and then they acted. They liked a speech, and then they acted. They read some manifesto, then they acted. This is correlation, to be sure. But is is not evidence of persuasion.
Meleagrou-Hitchens’ argument rests on the belief that Anwar al-Aulaqi possesses a unique capability to radicalize Westerners. Appealing to the publication of Inspire, the English-language magazine produced by AQAP, which has suggested Muslims carry out lone-wolf terror operations, Meleagrou-Hitchens argues that this is the crux of Aulaqi’s influence on radicalizing Westerners. His evidence amounts to interrogated statements by a few people who were arrested trying to commit murder: they enjoyed reading Aulaqi, he argues, so therefore Aulaqi persuaded them to commit violence.
Such an argument is logically backward. Why did these people decide to read Aulaqi in the first place? Roshonara Choudhry, one of the people Meleagrou-Hitchens cites as an Aulaqi inspiration, was not a radical in 2008. Yet, in 2009, she began to download Aulaqi’s sermons, eventually claiming to act upon them. What everyone who claims Aulaqi thus inspired her act ignore, including Meleagrou-Hitchens, is why she began to download Aulaqi’s sermons in the first place. I suspect it goes back to the conceit behind advertising, political messaging, and so on: people are not easily persuaded, but they are easily reinforced. I can’t answer what changed, but something happened where an otherwise adjusted young woman starts reaching out to an Internet preacher demanding violence. There is no evidence to support the assertion, however, that it was ideology, and specifically Aulaqi’s talents of persuasion, which directly inspired her to stab an MP.
The heart of my problem with discussing Islamist ideology is that I don’t understand how it affects behavior. Behavior is a complex process. It is the result of a number of causal factors, including constraints, signaling from peers, intent, and capability. All of those must come together in order for a behavior to occur. Ideology can be a contributing factor, as it is a form of signaling and constraint — making some behaviors appear to be acceptable, and some not. But this happens in an unpredictable way, and the fact we all acknowledge here (namely, that some people choose to act and most do not) should tell us that it is not a simple process to describe or predict.
The assumption behind the ideology discussion appears to be that behavior is a gun, and ideology is a trigger. That is, you have a person, they accept ideology, and then the output is behavior (in this case, violence). But that just isn’t how people work, and using some basic logic and self-knowledge can reveal that. We are not mono-causal creatures, even in relatively simple matters like choosing where to eat lunch. In particularly emotional issues, like religion and death, I would argue we are especially bad at explaining our beliefs and behavior (and there is actually a substantial body of cognitive science literature that argues people are reliably unreliable in accurately explaining their decisions).
We react to our environment, we respond to peer pressures, to community norms and signals, to physical and social constraints on behavior, and so on. Ideology can, potentially, be one of those contributing factors — as a means of signaling and of establishing justification for certain behaviors. But to say that ideology causes behavior is difficult if not impossible to prove — not only can we never get inside someone’s head to say, conclusively, why they did something, but we know, from neuroscience, that people cannot explain their own behavior consistently. And still, you’re left with the lingering question of why this specific person reacted against ideology while the thousands of others who were exposed to it did not.
At best, ideology is a woefully incomplete explanation for why terrorists chose to commit terror. But to argue that it is so important requires a standard of evidence that is, in practical terms, impossible to achieve.
Joshua Foust is a fellow at the American Security Project and the author of Afghanistan Journal: Selections from Registan.net.

al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula’s al-Malāḥim Media releases Inspire Magazine Issue #4

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

UPDATE 2/8 11:03 AM: Here is an Arabic translation of issue four of AQAP’s English language magazine Inspire:

Click the following link: Inspire Magazine 4 (Ar)
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UPDATE 2/7 11:54 AM: Here is a Russian translation of issue four of AQAP’s English language magazine Inspire:

Click here: Inspire Magazine 4 (Russian)
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NOTE: Here is the first, second, and third issue of Inspire Magazine. Below is a brief summary of what is in this magazine. When I have more time I hope to read the content more in depth and be able to dig deeper into this.
The magazine begins with a letter from the editor, Samīr Khān, about the Shi’a in their midst, as well as a reprint of AQAP’s statement following the car bombing against the Ḥūthīs this past November  titled “Statement on the Operations of Defense for the People of the Sunnah.” Then after a series of pages of quotes from friends and foes Khān pens an article reiterating the importance of farḍ al ‘ayn (individual obligation) for jihād. After this, there is a reprint of part of Adam Gadahn’s recent video message from October titled “The Arabs And Muslims: between the Conferences of Desertion .. and the individual Duty of Jihād,” which I analyzed here. Following this there is an article from Abū Zūbayr ‘Adīl bīn ‘Abdullah al-Abāb, AQAP’s chief religious authority, where he answers questions about targeting non-Muslims and Yemeni soldiers. Muḥammad al-Ṣana’ānī follows this up with an article on Roshonara Choudhry who stabbed the UK MP Stephen Timms, and Taymūr ‘Abd al-Wahāb who was responsible for the recent attack in Stockholm.  After this Abū Khowla pens a piece titled “Which is Better: Martyrdom or Victory?” Then there is a roundup of the recent jihadist activities in Abyan by Abū Zakarīā al-Erītrī, which confirms that there are members of AQAP from Eritrea. After this, there is a long excerpt from Abū Muṣ’ab al-Sūrī’s magnum opus The Global Islamic Resistance Call. Then in the section titled Open Source Jihād it details how to burn down a building, training with an AK-47, and advice for those that want to help with AQAP’s media outlet al-Malāḥim Media, which includes:

  1. Archiving
  2. Hear the world
  3. Your articles
  4. News flash
  5. Graphics
  6. Translations

Following this they reprint sections of Shaykh Abū Muṣ’ab Moḥammed ‘Umayr al ‘Awlaqī’s essay titled “Why I chose al-Qā’idah” who was killed in late 2009. After this is the feature article in the entire magazine, which is highlighted on the cover of it from Anwar al ‘Awlaqī titled “The Ruling of Dispossessing the Disbelievers Wealth in Dār al-Ḥarb [the Abode of War].” This is a continuation of advice regarding the economic jihād, which AQAP boasted about in the third issue of Inspire magazine and written about by Daveed Gartenstein-Ross in Foreign Policy following the failed UPS parcel plot. I would be interested to hear his further thoughts about this in light of this new article from ‘Awlaqī. After ‘Awlaqī’s article, there is one from Hazīm Nūr titled “The Call of the Qur’ān” about the importance of the concept tawḥīd (oneness of God), which is one of the most fundamental concepts in Islām. Inspire magazine concludes by recapping recent releases from al-Malāḥim Media including: Issue #15 of AQAP’s Arabic language magazine Ṣadā al-Malāḥim, “Martyrs of the Arabian Peninsula #4 – Abū Hammām al-Qaḥṭānī (Nāyīf bin Muḥammad bin Sa’īd al-Kūdurī al-Qaḥṭānī),” Shaykh Ibrāhīm bin Sulaymān al-Rubaysh’s audio message: “Between Islamists and Liberals”, an audio message from Shaykh Abū Zūbayr ‘Adīl bīn ‘Abdullah al-Abāb: “We Responded to the Sharī’ah of God, not the Laws of ‘Alī Ṣāliḥ”, a tribute to Zayyid al-Daghārī al-’Awlaqī by Shaykh Ibrāhīm bin Sulaymān al-Rubaysh, and a video titled “By the Lord of the Ka’abah, I Triumphed [Part 2]” among others. After this it tells the reader how to get in contact with Inspire magazine and like the previous issue it also lists Muslim prisoners.
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Click here: Inspire Magazine 4

English translation of Abū Ubaydah al-Ḥaḍramī’s “A Dream Come True” from Issue #15 of al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula’s Ṣadā al-Malāḥim Magazine

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Click here for the entire issue of AQAP’s most recent release of its magazine Ṣadā al-Malāḥim. Also see ‘Umar al-Jawfī’s “The Ḥūthīs And The Coming Project,” which was also recently  translated here. Below is Abū Ubaydah al-Ḥaḍramī’s “A Dream Come True” unedited from the translation provided at the Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum.
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So many times I would hear about the Mujahideen and about their purity; and their noble characters and many times I would hear and see the news of the Mujahideen and their heroism, and I would ask myself: how do I reach them? Would it be possible for me to sit with them and be with them?!
This was the dream that enticed us, despite media (attempts) to obscure and spread rumors about (the Mujahideen). Indeed a significant matter and great calamity is the misguidance by some of those who claim to adhere to ‘Ilm by issuing disgraceful fatwas to the effect that “any of the Mujahideen” are corrupters on earth and they destroy homes and kill innocents. But I do not know which innocents they mean.
Despite all this, that dream was in mind as the days disappeared and events moved swiftly. The banner was becoming clearer every day and Paradise was receiving the martyrs. My days were decreasing and my life hastening onward as the shaytan with all his might and trickery to deter me from achieving my desired goal. But through the Grace of Allah, after it had been difficult for us to migrate to the lands of Jihad like Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia, a front was opened for me, and it was one of the greatest battle fronts: the Peninsula of Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم.
After Allah granted me the good fortune to join my Mujahideen brothers, I saw the wonder of wonders. I saw the brothers sacrifice their persons, their wealth and all that they possessed for their Lord. I saw the brothers who were humble to the Believers and hard upon the infidels. I saw brothers preferring poverty for themselves. I saw brothers rising in the night and fasting in the day. I saw brothers who loved one another. I saw brothers who possessed the qualities of goodness and piety: a great thing.
Amongst the beautiful qualities I perceived in them was following the guidance of Shari’ah in their Jihadist lives and in their dealings with their enemies. I felt a life of happiness and spiritual ease despite the fact I was far from my family and loved ones, but believe Allah Who says: “He who forsakes his home in the cause of Allah, finds in the earth many a refuge, wide and spacious: should he die as a refugee from home for Allah and His messenger, his reward becomes due and sure with Allah: and Allah is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”And believe the words of the Messenger of Allah, صلى الله عليه وسلم, when he said: “You must wage Jihad in the cause of Allah Almighty and Blessed, for it is one of the gates of Paradise by which Allah banishes concern and sorrow” (1). For rest; all rest, is to be found in jihad fi sabeel Allah to elevate the Word of Allah Almighty in order to achieve the desired dream and aspiration.
Finally, I advise myself and my brothers to praise Allah and thank Him for what he has bestowed upon us to serve His Deen. By Allah, how many of the deprived and the idle are shown that, in Jihad, it is Allah from whom we seek aid. And, my brothers, we must beseech from Allah steadfastness and dedication and that He destine for us Martyrdom head on and not from behind.
(1) Narated by Ahmad in his Musnad 23094
Translated From Sada al-Malahim Magazine Issue #15

English translation of 'Umar al-Jawfī's "The Ḥūthīs And The Coming Project" from Issue #15 of al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula's Ṣadā al-Malāḥim Magazine

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Click here for the entire issue of AQAP’s most recent release of its magazine Ṣadā al-Malāḥim. Below is ‘Umar al-Jawfī’s “The Ḥūthīs And The Coming Project” unedited from the translation provided at the Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum.
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At a time when the throats of the Rafidites from the Houthi sect were becoming hoarse from shouting from above the military vehicles that they had seized from the lackey Ali Saleh’s army and ringing out “Death to America! Death to Israel!”, there was another voice in London declaring in a sound bite – with implications that will not be uttered by the lackey Arab rulers – and saying with all confidence “The war with the Houthis in northern Yemen has ended”.This was none other than American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The matter required only a few days before the Houthi Abdul Malek revealed the existence of a cease-fire initiative which had been put in force – with all speed – by all parties: Ali Saleh, the house of al-Saud and the Houthis.
So how can we therefore understand Houthi slogans which are hostile to America and Israel? In exchange for these slogans, Hillary Clinton has made a handsome proposal to the Houthis, as it is known that a cease-fire initiative works to the advantage of the Houthis more than any other party?
Upon swift contemplation, every rational person understands the truth which the Houthis attempt to conceal behind their deceptive slogans and statements is that their plan is completely contrary to their shining declarations and that they have never been opposed to America or Israel. To prove this fact: can the Houthis show us one case in which they harmed a single American or Israeli, let alone killed him? Can their media show us a picture of one bullet they have fired against an American or Israeli target at this time when global networks are conveying images of those who truly are carrying death to America and Israel? If the Houthis were threatening Israel and America with death, why then have American aircraft and missiles of death not pursued them in Maran, al-Talah and other areas of Sa’da and Safyan? I think everyone knows those whom America really pursues with its missiles of destruction and lava of death because they; simply put, threaten it with real death.
The death of America and Israel; therefore, is not a goal of the Houthis, who prefer a plan for successive wars with local authorities and the shabby army.
With a swift review of the most significant and prominent events that have occurred after the cease-fire between the Houthis and the governments of Riyadh and Sanaa, we know why Hillary Clinton stopped the war. After the cease-fire, the Houthis were roaming the markets in Saudi and Yemeni military clothes and rejoicing in victory. And I think that they mean what they say! They mean the continuing triumph of their project, but this time the victory is greater, wider and more comprehensive. They continued in their plan to control the mosques of the Ahl al-Sunna by seizing pulpits and Friday sermons; and performing what they call sarkha, or chanting their special slogans after prayers, and hanging their posters which preach their ideas and false; Rafidite ideology. If these acts are not countered by the rejection or cessation on the part of the Imam of the mosque and his group then the only solution is force of arms. This incident has been repeated more than once, and has been verified by reliable eye-witnesses in Sa’da and Jawf. Indeed, in one case, they were not content with killing the Sunni imam of the mosque, but also destroyed his home and expelled his family! All the children of al-Jawf know the story of Zubnullah, may Allah have mercy on him.
After the cease-fire had taken effect and after the Houthis had a quick breather, the battles against the tribes loyal to the state began. In the past, Ali Saleh had used these tribes in the war against the Houthis and then abandoned them as an easy victim. When the Houthis killed dozens from the bin Aziz tribes loyal to the state, and captured more than 100 soldiers of Ali Saleh along with seizing the al-Za’la military base with all its equipment and ordnance; Ali Saleh stressed his commitment to peace, the cease-fire and calming the situation; forgetting those tribes who were his allies yesterday, and even his soldiers who were taken prisoner in battles which should have been sufficient to detonate a seventh war! It was as if none of this had happened and as if Ali Saleh was saying to those allied with him: this is the reward of those who trust in the “al-Anasi lions” and a warning to those who ally with and trust in the apostate; lackey governments which are only concerned with pleasing the Americans and no else while on the other hand (Saleh) was confirming that the Houthis were continuing with their project which bears no relation at all to their slogans.
Although the cease-fire stipulates the removal of Houthi checkpoints and the opening of roads, the situation remains as it was and even more so with the expansion of the areas under (Houthi) control. Their barracks, which they have taken from schools as places to drill, have spread and their checkpoints cut off roads so they can secure and subjugate the region, especially in the Sunni areas adjacent to their own regions or in which they have a presence. There are many Sunni captives in Houthi prisons who were captured at these checkpoints. The identification of all those who pass these checkpoints is inspected. In the best of cases, and with the intervention of mediators, investigation of identity can last for days – if they are from the tribes. As for others from among the weak of the Ahl al-Sunna, do not ask! These Houthi checkpoints have been used to capture some Mujahideen and deliver them to America’s lackey regime in Sanaa. These brothers are Mashur al-Ahdal al-Husseini al-Hashemi and Hussein al-Tais al-Wa’ili who were captured at a Houthi checkpoint in al-Jawf. They were betrayed after they resisted and clashed with the Houthis. I don’t think Hillary Clinton needs more than that and I think the Americans consider this tantamount to a good turn and mutual acknowledgment; and confirmation of good Houthi intentions towards America and the international community. There is no death to America and they are not sad! Rather there is cooperation and collusion. America, throughout the history of its war on Islam, has found not better and greater cooperation even from Rafidite Shias of Iraq, than they have from my example here.
Therefore, after reviewing some of the recent events after the cease-fire with the Houthis, we can say that the upcoming project of the Houthis is tantamount to a project of “control and expanding influence” in which the Houthis present themselves as the police and the clubs of the Americans in the northern regions against the Mujahideen of the Ahl al-Sunna and the al-Qaeda Organization; and those who aid them, especially after Ali Saleh lost control and lost the trust he was granted by satisfying the Americans. At the same time, the Houthi movement will be one of the throns of Iran in the sides of the Gulf regimes. We understand these dual-loyalties when we view the situation of the Rafidite governments in Iraq throughout the years of the past occupation. (Look) how the Iranian president was received in the Green Zone, as if he was a partner of the Americans in occupying the country. The Americans expressed their repeated displeasure over acts of the Rafidite governments which did not hesitate to provide every kind of service and subordination to both the Iranians and the Americans at the same time. Upon understanding the Rafidite mindset and the way in which they act with that, it is understood that they have no Deen! They are wherever their material interest lies. That is what the Rafidite politician Hasan Zayd declared in an interview on the al-Arabiyah network when he said “The Houthis can never deal with al-Qaeda, but on the other hand they are prepared to deal with the Americans”. He then corrected this slip of the tongue and said, “Of course, when America gives up”. This corroborates the story which tells of great Saudi support for the Houthis in return for war against the “al-Qaeda Organization”. Because if, according to the words of Hasan Zayd, they accept dealing with the American, they will find no shame in the House of al-Saud; their enemies of yesterday. We can therefore understand Obama’s message which was sent through his special envoy in Yemen in which he expressed support for the lackey government in Sanaa against the “al-Qaeda Organization”. He likewise confirmed his complete commitment to the cease-fire in Sa’da.
The coming Houthi project then is a project of control and expansion at the expense of the Ahl al-Sunna in Yemen, and the implicit expansion of false Iranian Rafidite ideology and all it entails of shame, humiliation and disgrace for the Ahl al-Sunna at the hands of the hated Rafidites. I do not think we need a repetition of the tragedy of the Ahl al-Sunna in Iraq, Iran and Lebanon, especially in the shadow of the abandonment by the Islamic movements of arms and the choice of Jihad and confrontation; and the clear treachery of the regional governments who even abandon their allies – after dragging them into the vortex of a grinding war – in order to satisfy America. If this is the project of the Houthis to fulfill the desires of the Americans and Iranians in the region, what then will be the fate of the Ahl al-Sunna if they do not stand in one rank to repel, defend, halt and defeat this project; far removed from those lackey governments who have

Jabār al-Fayfī’s, former member of AQAP, most recent confessions: "Return of the Consciousness 3"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Jabār al-Fayfī has been lauded for helping tip the Saudis off to the planned parcel plot late last year. I disagree with this assessment since the dates he left Yemen and when the actual plot occurred there was too much lag time where AQAP could have altered there plans. Gregory Johnsen is skeptical of his involvement in breaking up this plot too, who briefly wrote about this most recent confession from al-Fayfī.
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Jihādī Primary Source Material Data Dump, December 23-January 2

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Below are all of the primary source materials that I did not post while on vacation. All materials are posted by date that they were first released to the various fora. I hope this is helpful to those who were also on vacation during this time period and did not get the opportunity to follow the fora activities.
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December 23:


‘Abdullah ‘Azzām Brigades — Statement Number 3 within the series- Identifying the Way of the Offenders
December 24:

al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula releases its Arabic language magazine Ṣadā al-Malāḥim Issue #14
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Ḥarakat al-al-Shabāb al-Mujāhīn releases an Arabic and English translation of their statement, which announced an alliance with Ḥizb al-Islām. See here for the original in Somali language.
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Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum in honor of its two year anniversary presents an English translation of  As-Saḥāb’s Ramaḍān Sermons series #1 by Abū Zayd al-Kūwaytī “Ramaḍān Intensive Course”
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The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan presents its list of martyrs for the year 1431 H. According to them, fifty-two individuals were killed.
December 25:


al-Furqān Media, which is affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq [al-Qā’idah in Iraq] has released “Risen Alive #3,” which is one of their many martyrology series’

December 26:

Kavkaz Jihād Blog translates into English a jihādī story titled “Fight in the Forest,” which was originally published by Hunafa.
December 28:
Ḥizb al-Islāmī al-Turkistānī [Turkestan Islamic Party] released its martyrology video series  “Lovers of Paradise #5,″ which you can see below. For previous videos see #3 and #4.

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Dār al-Jabhah Publications and Distribution and the Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF) released “The Explosives Course” by Shaykh Abū Khabbab al-Miṣrī
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Ma’sadat al-Mujāhidīn — Claiming Responsibility for the Attack on the Israeli Train
December 29:


al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula releases its Arabic language magazine Ṣadā al-Malāḥim Issue #15
December 30:

Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum publishes an English translation of the Global Islamic Media Front’s release by Abū Qandahār al-Zarqāwī “The Blazing Light- In Inciting for Jihād”
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New article from member of the Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum titled “Refute the Unbelievers- Mujāhidīn Fighters, Mercenaries Without Boundaries?”
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Abū Muḥmmad al-Maqdisī’s Minbar at-Tawḥīd wa’l-Jihād Sharī’ah Council published a new fatwā by Abū Hamām Bakr Bin ‘Abd al- ‘Azīz al-‘Atharī: “What is the Ruling on Congratulating Christians During New Years?”
December 31:

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan releases In Fight Magazine #24. For previous issues see: #23, #22; #21; and #20.
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Abū Muḥmmad al-Maqdisī’s Minbar at-Tawḥīd wa’l-Jihād Sharī’ah Council published two new fatāwā:

January 1:

Statement from Ḥarakat al-al-Shabāb al-Mujāhīn on Opening the Door of Communication with al-Katāi’b Media
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The January 2011 issue of Nawaī Afghān Jihād Magazine released
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Abū Muḥmmad al-Maqdisī has released a new video sermon titled “Three Assets:”

January 2:

Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum has translated “The Last Will of the First Sister Who Attacked the Moscow Subway,” which was attack in March 2010.
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Abū Muḥammad Jibrīl of Sawt al-Jihād in Nusantara wrote a new article titled “De-Radicalization, The Effort To Extinguish The Light Of Shari’a And Jihad In Indonesia”

al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula’s al-Malāḥim Media presents: “Martyrs of the Arabian Peninsula #4 – Abū Hammām al-Qaḥṭānī (Nāyīf bin Muḥammad bin Sa'īd al-Kūdurī al-Qaḥṭānī)”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

UPDATE 1/13 7:56 AM: Click here for an English language translation of the fourth story in AQAP’s martyrology series.
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NOTE: Here is the first (English and Arabic), second (English and Arabic), and third (English and Arabic) editions in this martyrology series. Abū Hammām al-Qaḥṭānī helped found AQAP’s media outlet al-Malāḥim Media and their magazine Ṣadā al-Malāḥim (Echo of the Epics). al-Qaḥṭānī is believed to have died either in a shootout with Saudi forces or in a bomb accident this past April.
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al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula’s al-Malāḥim Media presents- “Martyrs of the Arabian Peninsula #4 – Abū Hammām al-Qaḥṭānī”
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New statement from al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula: "Glad tidings for the believers within the series of Operations of Defense for the People of the Sunnah"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Earlier in the week, AQAP released a statement claiming responsibility for the two attacks against the Ḥūthīs. This second one identifies the two individuals involved in the attacks. The attack on ‘Īd al-Ghadīr was conducted by Abū ‘A’ishah al-San’ānī al-Hāshimī while the second attack on Badr ad-Dīn al-Ḥūthī’s funeral procession was conducted by Abū ‘Abdullah al-San’ānī. AQAP claims that during the first attack they killed Badr ad-Dīn al-Ḥūthī.
I’m not sure what to think about AQAP coming out with two statements about this and not having this information all in the first statement. Was AQAP’s senior leadership unaware of the attack until after the fact? At the same time, it’s hard to believe that they wouldn’t have authorized such an attack especially since it’s the first time AQAP has attacked the Ḥūthī’s. I’ll defer to Gregory Johnsen on this one and see what he says once he blogs about it.
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al-Qā’ida in the Arabian Peninsula — Glad tidings for the believers within the series of Operations of Defense for the People of the Sunnah
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New statement from al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula: "Statement on the Operations of Defense for the People of the Sunnah"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

UPDATE 2: Here is an English translation of the below statement in Arabic:
al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula — Statement on the Operations of Defense for the People of the Sunnah (English)
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UPDATE: Here are a few key selections translated into English via Evan Kohlmann:

Special units have been formed to defend our Sunni brothers against… the evil plots of Iranian Shiites in Saada… led by Houthis.
The Shiites are a legitimate target for us, so we advise our fellow Sunnis to avoid their gatherings… before it is too late.

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NOTE: The below statement from al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula claims responsibility for the two car bombs that went off this past week in northern Yemen. The first attack came on ‘Īd al-Ghadīr, which is a Shīʻah holiday commemorating the appointment of Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib by the Muslim prophet Muḥammad as his immediate successor. The second attack occurred two days later during the funeral procession for Badr ad-Dīn al-Ḥūthī, who is seen as the most influential Zaydī scholar of the past generation.
AQAP differentiates between Zaydī’s writ-large, who range from 30-40% of the Yemeni population and the Ḥūthī’s who have fought six battles on and off with the Yemeni government since 2004. AQAP describes the Ḥūthī’s as Rāfiḍah or rejectionists. This is a derogatory term usually used to describe Ithnā ‘Asharī Shī’ī (Twelver Shī’ism as practiced in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon). This is an important distinction for AQAP since as Christopher Anzalone noted so well on Twitter:

Zaydis’ place in Yemeni society is quite different from the situation in Iraq. Many Yemeni Sunnis consider Zaydis to basically be Sunnis. The weakening of Zaydi religous institutions with the fall of the Imamate and the coming of Salafism to northern Yemen, areas traditionally dominated by Zaydis, has also led to a number of Zaydis considering themselves to be closer to Shafi’i Sunnism than Ithna ‘Ashari Shi’ism. A number of Zaydis also became Salafis as a way of protesting rigid social hierarchies dominated by Zaydi sayyids.

Bottom line, though, is that this is not good for Yemen as a whole. This could plunge the country into tit for tat tribal and intra-religious warfare. I will have more to say about this in the coming days.
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Click the following link for a safe Pdf copy of it: al-Qā’ida in the Arabian Peninsula — Statement on the Operations of Defense for the People of the Sunnah