Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula

{{Infobox War Faction |name = al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula |native_name = القاعدة في جزيرة العرب |native_name_lang = ar |war = the al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen,
the Yemeni Revolution, the Yemeni Civil War, and
the Global War on Terror |image = ShababFlag.svg |image_size = 275px |caption = The Black Standard used by AQAP |ideology = Salafism[1]

Qutbism[1] |leaders = Nasir al-Wuhayshi  † (2011–15)[2]
Qasim al-Raymi (2015–Present)[3] |headquarters = al-Mukalla, Hadhramaut Governorate, Yemen[4] |area = Yemen;

|active = January 2009 – present[5] |strength = 1,000–3000+[6][7] |partof =

|merger_of = al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia and al-Qaeda in Yemen |allies = * al-Shabaab[9]—hunted by CIA, MI5 and Politiets sikkerhetstjeneste, since 2012. (His legal name in Norway has not been revealed by media.) |}

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)". Counter Extremism Project. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Al Qaeda in Yemen says leader killed in U.S. bombing". Reuters. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Al Qaeda's Hadramawt emirate". Brookings Institution. 12 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ "Al-Qaeda map: Isis, Boko Haram and other affiliates' strongholds across Africa and Asia". 12 June 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "The Failure of Counterinsurgency: Why Hearts and Minds Are Seldom Won". 2013. Retrieved 2015.
  8. ↑ Sudarsan Raghavan (22 February 2011). "Militants linked to al-Qaeda emboldened in Yemen". The Washington Post. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  9. ↑ "Yemen bomb: Suicide bomber hits military parade in Sanaa". GlobalPost. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
    • Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
    • Al-Nusra Front<ref>{{cite web |title=The Paris Attacks Underscore the Deep Threat Still Posed by Al Qaeda |url=http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/markaz/posts/2015/01/10-paris-attacks-yemen-al-qaeda-terror-charlie-hebdo |date=January 10, 2015 |accessdate=2015}}</ref>
    • Khorasan<ref name=ds>{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=James |last2=Siegel |first2=Josh |title=Q&A: Meet Khorasan, the Terrorist Group That Might Be Scarier Than ISIS |url=http://dailysignal.com/2014/09/20/qa-terrorist-group-really-scarier-isis/ |website=The Daily Signal |publisher=[[Heritage Foundation]] |accessdate=19 October 2014 |date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
    • Ansar al-Sharia
    •  Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (against the Hadi Government and the Houthis)
    |opponents = State opponents
    •  Yemen
    •  Saudi Arabia
    •  United States<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5igInLZmzyAxD7PftqCUWHkcy8neA?docId=CNG.a6a1ba2d5337e04a4b1743d4dd0ee65b.361 |title=AFP: Yémen: l'armée, aidée par les Etats-Unis, progresse face à Al-Qaïda |publisher=Google |accessdate=14 November 2013}}</ref>
    Non-state opponents
    • Houthis
    •  Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (in recruiting)<ref name="AQAPIS">{{cite news|title=Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Rejects Isis 'Caliphate', Ending Fears of Deadly Terror Alliance|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/al-qaida-arabian-peninsula-rejects-isis-caliphate-ending-fears-deadly-terror-alliance-1476004|work=International Business Times|date=21 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=In Yemen chaos, Islamic State grows to rival al Qaeda|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/30/us-yemen-security-islamicstate-insight-idUSKCN0PA1T920150630|work=Reuters|date=30 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="AQIM">{{cite news|title=Al-Qaeda dispute with Isis devolves to name-calling|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/al-qaeda-dispute-with-isis-devolves-to-name-calling-a6719001.html|work=The Independent|date=3 November 2015}}</ref>
    |battles=Yemeni Insurgency Yemeni Civil War |url = }} Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (Arabic: تنظيم القاعدة في جزيرة العرب‎, translit. Tanẓīm al-Qā‘idah fī Jazīrat al-‘Arab, lit. "al-Qaeda Organization in the Arabian Peninsula" or تنظيم قاعدة الجهاد في جزيرة العرب‎, Tanẓīm Qā‘idat al-Jihād fī Jazīrat al-‘Arab, "Organization of Jihad's Base in the Arabian Peninsula"), or AQAP, also known as Ansar al-Sharia in Yemen (Arabic: جماعة أنصار الشريعة‎, Jamā‘at Anṣār ash-Sharī‘ah, "Group of the Helpers of the Sharia"),<ref name=State041012>{{cite web |title=Terrorist Designations of Ansar al-Sharia as an Alias for Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula |url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/10/198659.htm |publisher=Department of State |accessdate=26 June 2014}}</ref> is a militant Islamist organization, primarily active in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. It was named for al-Qaeda, and says it is subordinate to that group and its now-deceased leader Osama bin Laden, a Saudi citizen of Yemeni heritage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Al-Qaeda’s Yemen branch eyes a new haven |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/al-qaedas-yemen-branch-eyes-a-new-haven/2013/08/08/d0efa992-0041-11e3-8294-0ee5075b840d_story.html |website=The Washington Post |date=8 August 2013 |accessdate=23 April 2015}}</ref> It is considered the most active<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cfr.org/yemen/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-aqap/p9369 |title=Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)&nbsp;– Council on Foreign Relations |publisher=Cfr.org |accessdate=2012-06-04}}</ref> of al-Qaeda's branches, or "franchises," that emerged due to weakening central leadership.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2011/10/06/the-al-qaeda-brand-died-last-week/ |title=The al-Qaeda Brand Died Last Week |work=[[Forbes]] |date=September 6, 2011 |accessdate=September 7, 2011}}</ref> The U.S government believes AQAP to be the most dangerous al-Qaeda branch due to its emphasis on attacking the far enemy and its reputation for plotting attacks on overseas targets.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula? |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/14/middleeast/yemen-al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula/ |publisher=CNN |date=14 January 2015 |accessdate=23 April 2015}}</ref> The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, Australia, Canada, Russia, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the European Union and the United States.

    Ideology and formation

    Current territorial situation in Yemen. AQAP territory is shown in white, primarily in the Al Bayda and Hadhramaut provinces.
    Like al-Qaeda, AQAP opposes the Al Saud monarchy.<ref name="reuters1">{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE6A70TK20101108 |title=FACTBOX-Al Qaeda's Yemen-based wing |agency=Reuters |date=8 November 2010 |accessdate=November 8, 2010}}</ref> AQAP was formed in January 2009 from a merger of al-Qaeda's Yemeni and Saudi branches.<ref name="channel1">{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/al-qaeda-in-the-arabian-peninsula-who-are-they |title=Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula: who are they? |publisher=Channel4 News |accessdate=November 12, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104230819/http://www.channel4.com/news/al-qaeda-in-the-arabian-peninsula-who-are-they |archivedate=4 November 2010 <!--DASHBot--> |deadurl=no}}</ref> The Saudi group had been effectively suppressed by the Saudi government, forcing its members to seek sanctuary in Yemen.<ref name="novak">{{cite news |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/01/arabian_peninsula_al.php |title=Arabian Peninsula al Qaeda groups merge |last=Novak |first=Jane |date=January 26, 2009 |work=[[Long War Journal]] |accessdate=January 27, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211172638/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/01/arabian_peninsula_al.php |archivedate=11 February 2010 <!--DASHBot--> |deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Wong">{{cite news |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/yemen-major-staging-base-al-qaeda/story?id=9478552 |title=Yemen: 'Major Staging Base' for Al Qaeda: Q and A With Former CIA Official and Al Qaeda Expert Bruce Riedel |last=Wong |first=Kristina |date=January 5, 2010 |publisher=ABC News |accessdate=January 27, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110063942/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/yemen-major-staging-base-al-qaeda/story?id=9478552 |archivedate=10 January 2010 <!--DASHBot--> |deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2010, it was believed to have several hundred members.<ref name="channel1"/>

    Transformation into an active al-Qaeda affiliate

    AQAP fighters in Yemen, 2014.
    The percentage of terrorist plots in the West that originated from Pakistan declined considerably from most of them (at the outset), to 75% in 2007, and to 50% in 2010, as al-Qaeda shifted to Somalia and Yemen.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8009819/Anwar-al-Awlaki-the-new-Osama-bin-Laden.html |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Philip |last=Johnston |title=Anwar al Awlaki: the new Osama bin Laden? |date=September 17, 2010}}</ref> U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton formally designated al-Qaeda in Yemen a terrorist organization on December 14, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gerstein |first=Josh |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0110/Clinton_named_AlQaeda_Yemen_as_terror_group_a_month_ago.html |title=Clinton named Al-Qaeda Yemen as terror group a month ago |publisher=Politico.Com |date=January 18, 2010 |accessdate=April 8, 2010}}</ref> On August 24, 2010, The Washington Post journalist Greg Miller wrote that the CIA believed Yemen's branch of al-Qaeda had surpassed its parent organization, Osama bin Laden's core group, as al-Qaeda's most dangerous threat to the U.S. homeland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/24/AR2010082406763.html |title=CIA sees increased threat in Yemen |author=Greg Miller |date=August 24, 2010 |accessdate=April 28, 2014}}</ref> On August 26, 2010, Yemen claimed that U.S. officials had exaggerated the size and danger of al-Qaeda in Yemen, insisting also that fighting the jihadist network's local branch remained Sanaa's job.<ref>{{cite web |author=(AFP)&nbsp;– Aug 26, 2010 |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gZ7mtDjUJQgZ6jrRCbJpa6fXL4lA |title=AFP: Yemen says US officials exaggerate Qaeda threat |publisher=Google |date=August 26, 2010 |accessdate=October 31, 2010}}</ref> A former bodyguard of Osama bin Laden warned of an escalation in fighting between al-Qaeda and Yemeni authorities, and predicted the government would need outside intervention to stay in power. However, Ahmed al-Bahri told the Associated Press that attacks by al-Qaeda in southern Yemen was an indication of its increasing strength.<ref>{{cite web |author=(FoxNews) - August 26, 2010 |accessdate=March 8, 2014 |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=August 26, 2010 |url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/08/26/bin-ladens-bodyguard-warns-escalation-yemen-predicts-involvement/ |title=Bin Laden's Bodyguard Warns Escalation in Yemen}}</ref>

    Operations and activities carried out as al-Qaeda in Yemen and Saudi Arabia

    Main article: USS Cole bombing
    al-Qaeda was responsible for the USS Cole bombing in October 2000 in the southern port of Aden, killing 17 U.S. sailors.<ref name="reuters1"/> In 2002, an al-Qaeda attack damaged a French supertanker in the Gulf of Aden.<ref name="reuters1"/> The Global Terrorism Database attributes the 2004 Khobar massacre to the group.<ref> {{cite news |url=http://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/search/IncidentSummary.aspx?gtdid=200405290002 |title=Incident Summary 200405290002 |publisher=[[Global Terrorism Database]] |date=May 29, 2004 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.start.umd.edu%2Fgtd%2Fsearch%2FIncidentSummary.aspx%3Fgtdid%3D200405290002&date=2010-01-16 |archivedate=January 16, 2010 |accessdate=January 1, 2010}}</ref> In this guise, it is also known as "The Jerusalem Squadron." In addition to a number of attacks in Saudi Arabia, and the kidnap and murder of Paul Johnson in Riyadh in 2004, the group is suspected in connection with a bombing in Doha, Qatar, in March 2005.<ref name="qatar"> {{cite news |url=http://www.forbes.com/home/energy/2005/03/25/cz_0325oxan_qatarattack.html |title=The Advent Of Terrorism In Qatar |work=[[Forbes]] |date=March 25, 2005 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2F2005%2F03%2F25%2Fcz_0325oxan_qatarattack.html&date=2010-01-16 |archivedate=January 16, 2010}}</ref> For a chronology of recent Islamist militant attacks in Saudi Arabia, see Insurgency in Saudi Arabia.

    Operations and activities carried out as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula

    2009

    In the 2009 Little Rock recruiting office shooting, Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, formerly known as Carlos Leon Bledsoe, a Muslim convert who had spent time in Yemen, on June 1, 2009 opened fire with an SKS Rifle in a drive-by shooting on soldiers in front of a United States military recruiting office in Little Rock, Arkansas, in a jihad attack. He killed Private William Long, and wounded Private Quinton Ezeagwula. He said that he was affiliated with and had been sent by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/22littlerock.html|title=Man Claims Terror Ties in Little Rock Shooting |last=Dao |first=James |date=January 21, 2010 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=January 22, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125152356/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/22littlerock.html?hp |archivedate=25 January 2010 <!--DASHBot--> |deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="cnn.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/01/arkansas.recruiter.shooting/ |author=Mike Phelan, Mike Mount, and Terry Frieden |title=Suspect arrested in Arkansas recruiting center shooting |publisher=CNN |date=June 1, 2009 |accessdate=March 25, 2010}}</ref><ref name="nytimes1">{{cite news |last=Dao |first=James |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/us/17convert.html |title=A Muslim Son, a Murder Trial and Many Questions |location=Arkansas;Yemen |work=The New York Times |date=February 16, 2010 |accessdate=June 23, 2010}}</ref> AQAP said it was responsible for Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's attempted Christmas Day bombing of Northwest Airlines Flight 253 as it approached Detroit on December 25, 2009.<ref name="AQAPClaimsXmasAttempt"> {{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6901918/Detroit-terror-attack-al-Qaeda-regional-group-claims-responsibility.html |title=Detroit terror attack: al-Qaeda regional group claims responsibility |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=December 28, 2009 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworldnews%2Fnorthamerica%2Fusa%2F6901918%2FDetroit-terror-attack-al-Qaeda-regional-group-claims-responsibility.html+&date=2010-01-16 |archivedate=January 16, 2010 |location=London}}</ref> In that incident, Abdulmutallab reportedly tried to set off plastic explosives sewn to his underwear, but failed to detonate them properly.<ref name="reuters1"/>

    2010

    On February 8, 2010, deputy leader Said Ali al-Shihri called for a regional holy war and blockade of the Red Sea to prevent shipments to Israel. In an audiotape he called upon Somalia's al-Shabaab militant group for assistance in the blockade.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Yemen: Qaeda Affiliate Urges Joint Blockade of Red Seas |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York |date=February 9, 2010 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/world/middleeast/09briefs-Yemen.html |accessdate=February 9, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211055427/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/world/middleeast/09briefs-Yemen.html |archivedate=11 February 2010 <!--DASHBot--> |deadurl=no}}</ref> The 2010 cargo plane bomb plot was discovered on October 29, 2010, when two packages containing bombs found on cargo planes, based on intelligence received from government intelligence agencies, in the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. The packages originated from Yemen, and were addressed to outdated addresses of two Jewish institutions in Chicago, Illinois, one of which was the Congregation Or Chadash, a LGBT synagogue.<ref name=wsjegypt>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703414504575584681982002308.html?mod=googlenews_wsj Chicago Synagogue Cites Web Visits From Egypt], Wall Street Journal 31-10-2010</ref> On October 30, 2010, On November 5, 2010, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula took responsibility for the plot.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/05/yemen.security.concern/?hpt=T2 |title=Yemen-based al Qaeda group claims responsibility for parcel bomb plot |publisher=CNN |date=6 November 2010 |accessdate=November 8, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113054043/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/11/05/yemen.security.concern/?hpt=T2 |archivedate=13 November 2010 <!--DASHBot--> |deadurl=no}}</ref> It posted its acceptance of responsibility on a number of radical Islamist websites monitored by the SITE Intelligence Group and the NEFA Foundation, and wrote: "We will continue to strike blows against American interests and the interest of America's allies." It also claimed responsibility for the crash of a UPS Boeing 747-400 cargo plane in Dubai on September 3. The statement continued: "since both operations were successful, we intend to spread the idea to our mujahedeen brothers in the world and enlarge the circle of its application to include civilian aircraft in the West as well as cargo aircraft."<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Updated 22 minutes ago 11/8/2010 12:24:00 PM +00:00 |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40031838/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/ |title=Al-Qaida claims responsibility for cargo bombs |publisher=MSNBC |accessdate=November 8, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107072723/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40031838/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/ |archivedate=7 November 2010 <!--DASHBot--> |deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Entous |first=Adam |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704353504575596831033307148.html?mod=googlenews_wsj |title=Yemeni al Qaeda Claims Package Bomb Attempts |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=5 November 2010 |accessdate=November 8, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/05/yemeni-al-qaeda-group-claims-responsibility-failed-mail-bomb-plot-cargo-planes/ |title=Yemeni Al Qaeda Group Claims Responsibility for Failed Mail Bomb Plot on U.S. Cargo Planes |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=November 8, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108131854/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/05/yemeni-al-qaeda-group-claims-responsibility-failed-mail-bomb-plot-cargo-planes/ |archivedate=8 November 2010 <!--DASHBot--> |deadurl=no}}</ref> American authorities had said they believed that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was behind the plot.<ref name=wsjegypt/> Officials in the United Kingdom and the United States believe that it is most likely that the bombs were designed to destroy the planes carrying them.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/world/01terror.html |work=The New York Times |first1=Mark |last1=Mazzetti |first2=Robert F. |last2=Worth |first3=Eric |last3=Lipton |title=Bomb Plot Shows Key Role Played by Intelligence |date=31 October 2010}}</ref> In November 2010, the group announced a strategy, called "Operation Hemorrhage", which it said was designed to capitalize on the "security phobia that is sweeping America." The program would call for a large number of inexpensive, small-scale attacks against United States interests, with the intent of weakening the U.S. economy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/11/21/al-qaeda-threat.html?ref=rss |publisher=CBC News |title=Yemen group vows small-scale attacks |date=21 November 2010}}</ref>

    2012

    On 21 May 2012, a soldier wearing a belt of explosives carried out a suicide attack on military personnel preparing for a parade rehearsal for Yemen's Unity Day. With over 120 people dead and 200 more injured, the attack was the deadliest in Yemeni history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2012/05/21/yemen-ruthlessly-symbolic-attack |title=In Yemen, a ruthlessly symbolic attack |author=Jane Ferguson |date=21 May 2012 |publisher=Al Jazeera |accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> AQAP claimed responsibility for the attack.<ref name=AJ215>{{cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/05/201252175919491219.html |title=Al-Qaeda claims deadly Yemen suicide blast |date=21 May 2012 |publisher=Al Jazeera |accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> During the June 2012 al Qaeda retreat from key southern Yemen stronghold, the organization planted land mines, which killed 73 civilians.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news |title=Yemen says al Qaeda land mins killed 73 this week |newspaper=The Examiner |date=2012-06-27}}</ref> According to the governor's office in Abyan province, 3,000 mines were removed from around Zinjibar and Jaar.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

    2013

    On 5 December 2013, an attack on the Yemeni Defense Ministry in Sana'a involving a series of bomb and gun attacks killed at least 56 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/05/world/meast/yemen-violence/index.html |title=Militants attack hospital at Yemen's Defense Ministry |publisher=CNN |date=December 5, 2013 |accessdate=2013-12-06}}</ref> After footage of the attack was aired on Yemeni television, showing an attack on a hospital within the ministry compound and the killing of medical personnel and patients, the head of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula released a video message apologizing. Qassim al-Raimi claimed that the team of attackers were directed not to assault the hospital in the attack, but that one had gone ahead and done so.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/22/world/meast/yemen-al-qaeda-apology/ |title=Al Qaeda: We're sorry about Yemen hospital attack |publisher=CNN |date=2013-12-22 |accessdate=2014-01-22}}</ref>

    2014

    On 9 May 2014, several soldiers from Yemen were killed after a skirmish sparked when a vehicle attacked a palace gate.<ref name="BBC 9-5-14">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27352009# |title=Yemen soldiers killed near Sanaa presidential palace |publisher=BBC |date=9 May 2014 |accessdate=9 May 2014}}</ref> The group also publishes the online magazines Voice of Jihad and Inspire. In New Zealand it is listed as a terror group.<ref>http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/designated-entities-26-11-2014.pdf</ref> In December 2014, the group released a video depicting Luke Somers, a journalist whom they were holding hostage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pentagon-confirms-failed-effort-to-rescue-somers/2014/12/04/3e624c68-7bdf-11e4-8241-8cc0a3670239_story.html |title=Pentagon confirms failed effort to rescue Somers |work=The Washington Post |date=4 December 2014 |accessdate=4 December 2014 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> On 26 November, U.S. Navy SEALs and Yemeni special forces attempted a hostage rescue where eight hostages, none American, were freed, but Luke Somers and four others had been moved to another location by AQAP prior to the raid. The nationalities of the eight hostages rescued were six Yemenis, one Saudi, and one Ethiopian. On 6 December, 40 SEALs used V-22 Ospreys to land a distance from the compound where Somers and Korkie were kept at about 1 a.m. local time, according to a senior defense official. An AQAP fighter apparently spotted them while relieving himself outside, a counter-terrorism official with knowledge of the operation told ABC News, beginning a firefight that lasted about 10 minutes. According to CBS News, dog barking could have alerted the hostage takers of the operation. When the American soldiers finally entered the building where Somers and Korkie were kept, they found both men alive, but gravely wounded. Korkie and Somers died some minutes later despite attempts to save them.

    2015

    On 7 January 2015, Saïd Kouachi and Chérif Kouachi attacked French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, resulting in 11 French citizens killed and another 11 injured. The French-born brothers of Algerian descent stated they were members of Al-Qaeda in Yemen, to an eyewitness.<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/11330636/Terrorists-shouted-they-were-from-Al-Qaeda-in-the-Yemen-before-Charlie-Hebdo-attack.html |title=Terrorists shouted they were from Al Qaeda in the Yemen before Charlie Hebdo attack |date=7 January 2015 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |accessdate=7 January 2015}}</ref> On 9 January, AQAP confirmed responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo shooting in a speech from top Shariah cleric Harith bin Ghazi al-Nadhari. The reason given was to gain "revenge for the honor" of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.<ref>{{cite web |title=Al-Qaeda Group Claims Responsibility for Paris Terror Attack |url=http://time.com/3661650/charlie-hebdo-paris-terror-attack-al-qaeda/ |date=9 January 2015 |accessdate=2015}}</ref>

    Battle of Al Mukalla

    On 2 April 2015, AQAP fighters stormed the coastal city of Al Mukalla and captured it on the 16th of April after the two week Battle of Al Mukalla. They seized government buildings and reportedly used trucks to cart off more than $120 million from the central bank, according to the bank’s director. AQAP forces soon passed control to a civilian council, giving it a budget of more than $4 million to provide services to residents of the city. AQAP maintains a police station in the city to mediate Sharia disputes, but has so far avoided imposing its rule across the city. AQAP has refrained from using its name, instead using the name the 'Sons of Hadhramaut' to emphasize its ties to the surrounding province.<ref>{{cite web |title=Al Qaeda Tries a New Tactic to Keep Power: Sharing It |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/10/world/middleeast/qaeda-yemen-syria-houthis.html |website=The New York Times |date=9 June 2015 |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref>

    Ansar al-Sharia

    AQAP fighters in Yemen.
    In the wake of the 2011 Yemeni revolution and the Battle of Zinjibar, an Islamist insurgent organisation called Ansar al-Sharia (Yemen) (Supporters of Islamic Law), emerged in Yemen and seized control of areas in the Abyan Governorate and surrounding governorates in southern Yemen and declared them an Islamic emirate. There was heavy fighting with the Yemeni security forces over the control of these territories, with Ansar al-Sharia driven out of most of their territory over 2012.<ref name=Reuters2>{{cite web |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/15/us-yemen-violence-idUSBRE85E0AG20120615 |title=Yemeni army claims major advance in campaign against al Qaeda |agency=Reuters |accessdate=1 August 2015}}</ref> In April 2011, Shaykh Abu Zubayr Adil bin Abdullah al-Abab, AQAP's chief religious figure, explained the name change as a re-branding exercise: "the name Ansar al-Sharia is what we use to introduce ourselves in areas where we work to tell people about our work and goals."<ref name=fpSeptember2012>{{cite web |url=http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/09/21/know_your_ansar_al_sharia |title=Know Your Ansar Al Sharia |work=Foreign Policy |date=2012-09-21 |accessdate=2014-01-22}}</ref> On 4 October 2012, the United Nations 1267/1989 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee and the United States State Department designated Ansar al-Sharia as an alias for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.<ref name= State041012 /> The State Department described the establishment of Ansar al-Sharia as an attempt to attract followers in areas of Yemen where AQAP had been able to establish territorial control and implement its interpretation of Sharia.<ref name= State041012 />

    U.S. drone strikes

    Main article: Targeted killing
    Predator drone
    In 2010 the White House was reported to be considering using the CIA's armed Predator drones to fight Al-Qaeda in Yemen. A CIA targeted killing drone strike killed Kamal Derwish, an American citizen, and a group of al-Qaida operatives (including Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi) in Yemen in November 2002. Drones became shorthand in Yemen for a weak government allowing foreign forces to have their way.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-08/27/c_13464637_2.htm |title=Yemen rejects U.S. role in fighting al-Qaida |agency=Xinhua News Agency |accessdate=October 31, 2010}}</ref> On September 30, 2011, a U.S. drone attack in Yemen resulted in the death of Anwar al-Awlaki, one of the group's leaders, and Samir Khan, the editor of Inspire, its English-language magazine. Both were U.S. citizens.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/09/30/us-born-terror-boss-anwar-al-awlaki-killed/ |publisher=Fox News Channel |title=Two U.S.-Born Terrorists Killed in CIA-Led Drone Strike |date=30 September 2011}}</ref> The pace of U.S. drone attacks quickened significantly in 2012, with over 20 strikes in the first five months of the year, compared to 10 strikes during the course of 2011.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-drone-targets-in-yemen-raise-questions/2012/06/02/gJQAP0jz9U_story.html U.S. drone targets in Yemen raise questions]&nbsp;– ''The Washington Post'', June 3, 2012</ref> Over the period 19–21 April 2014, a series of drone attacks on AQAP killed dozens of militants, and at least 3 civilians.<ref>{{cite news |last=MUKHASHAF |first=MOHAMED |title=Air strikes in Yemen kill 40 al Qaeda militants in two days |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/04/20/uk-yemen-violence-idUKBREA3I08T20140420 |accessdate=22 April 2014 |agency=Reuters |date=20 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/21/us-drone-strike-al-qaida-militants |title=Third suspected US drone strike kills 'several' al-Qaida militants |date=21 April 2014 |accessdate=22 April 2014 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/04/21/uk-yemen-drones-idUKBREA3K0R420140421 |title=Drone strikes alone won't stamp out al Qaeda in Yemen&nbsp;— analysts |date=21 April 2014 |agency=Reuters |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27100817 |title=Three suspected militants killed in Yemen drone strike |date=21 April 2014 |publisher=BBC |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Raddatz |first=Martha |title=After Celebratory Video, Al Qaeda Pounded By Deadly Airstrikes |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/celebratory-video-al-qaeda-pounded-deadly-airstrikes/story?id=23407443 |accessdate=22 April 2014 |newspaper=abc news |date=21 April 2014}}</ref> A spokesperson for the Yemeni Supreme Security Committee described the attacks, which included elements of the Yemeni army as well as US drones, as "massive and unprecedented".<ref name="cnn1">{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/21/world/meast/yemen-drone-strike/ |title=Yemen strikes may target top al Qaeda leaders |date=21 April 2014 |publisher=CNN |accessdate=22 April 2014 |author=Jamjoom, Mohammed |author2=Smith, Matt}}</ref> The attacks were alleged to have targeted AQAP leadership, with a major AQAP base in Wadi al-Khayala reported to have been destroyed.<ref name="wp">{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/new-drone-strike-in-yemen-kills-al-qaida-militants/2014/04/21/42e8442a-c944-11e3-b81a-6fff56bc591e_story.html |title=Yemen says strikes on al-Qaida base kill 55 |date=21 April 2014 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref>

    Senior leaders

    Nasir al-Wuhayshi, former leader and founder of AQAP. He was later killed by an airstrike in June 2015.
    Name Position Situation
    Nasir al-Wuhayshi Former Emir and founder of AQAP
    • Founder and former Emir of AQAP<ref name="channel1"/>
    • Deputy leader and General Manager of al-Qaeda<ref>{{cite web |title=Rewards for Justice&nbsp;— Reward Offers for Information on Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Leaders |url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/01/135364.htm |date=January 19, 2010 |accessdate=December 2014}}</ref><ref>http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/08/aqap_emir_also_serve.php</ref>
    • Killed in a drone strike in June 2015<ref name=confirmation/><ref name="AQAP leader killed">[{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/15/middleeast/yemen-aqap-leader-killed/index.html CNN Yemen AQAP leader killed] |title=Top al Qaeda leader reported killed in Yemen |author=Dana Ford, CNN |date=15 June 2015 |publisher=CNN |accessdate=16 June 2015}}</ref>
    Qasim al-Raymi Emir and former military commander
    • Senior military commander in AQAP<ref name="cnn.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/01/15/yemen.al.qaeda/ |title=Yemen says 6 al Qaeda leaders killed |publisher=CNN |accessdate=January 16, 2010 |date=January 15, 2010}}</ref><ref name=Iht2008-01-18>{{Dead link|date=July 2009}}{{cite news |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/01/18/africa/ME-GEN-Yemen-Attack.php |title=2 tourists dead in attack in Yemen |work=[[International Herald Tribune]] |date=18 January 2008 |accessdate=18 January 2008}}</ref>
    • In 2007, he and AQAP leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi announced the emergence of al-Qaida in Yemen, AQAP’s predecessor group<ref name="Qasim al-Rimi">{{cite web |title=Qasim al-Rimi |url=http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/qasim_al_rimi.html |accessdate=January 2015}}</ref>
    • He played an important role in recruiting the current generation of militants making up the Yemen-based AQAP<ref name="Qasim al-Rimi"/>
    • Succeeded Nasir al-Wuhayshi as leader of AQAP.<ref name=confirmation/>
    Said Ali al-Shihri Deputy Emir
    • Deputy leader and highest ranking Saudi official in AQAP<ref name=Ctc20120-07-24> {{cite news |url=http://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/a-profile-of-aqaps-upper-echelon |title=A Profile of AQAP’s Upper Echelon |publisher=[[Combatting Terrorism Center]] |author=Gregory D. Johnsen |date=2012-07-24 |accessdate=2013-04-26 |deadurl=No |quote=As the deputy commander and highest-ranking Saudi in AQAP, al-Shihri played a key role in recruiting other Saudis and fundraising in the kingdom. In late 2009, a cell phone video of al-Shihri surfaced in which he made a plea for money from wealthy Saudi donors. In an effort to avoid detection the video never left the phone on which it was recorded. Instead, an AQAP courier traveled throughout Saudi Arabia showing the video message to different individuals.}} </ref>
    • Killed in a drone strike in 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.siteintelgroup.com/Jihadist-News/aqap-concludes-biography-of-slain-deputy-leader-in-3rd-episode-of-series.html |title=AQAP Concludes Biography of Slain Deputy Leader in 3rd Episode of Series&nbsp;— Jihadist News |author=SITE |accessdate=22 March 2015}}</ref>
    Khalid Batarfi Senior commander
    • Led jihadist fighters in their takeover of Yemen's Abyan Governorate in 2011, where he was accorded the position of emir.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/yemen-prison-break-aqap-senior-commander-saudi-bombing-campaign/ |publisher=CBS News |title=Amid Yemen chaos, al Qaeda stages prison break |date=2 April 2015 |accessdate=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="telegraph">{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/11515401/The-al-Qaeda-commander-at-home-in-a-governors-palace.html |work=The Telegraph |title=The al-Qaeda commander at home in a governor's palace |date=4 April 2015 |accessdate=9 April 2015 |first=Richard |last=Spencer}}</ref>
    • Current senior military strategist and commander for AQAP forces in Hadhramaut Governorate and coordinated AQAP forces in the Battle of Al Mukalla<ref name="selfies">{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-operative-khalid-batarfi-takes-selfies-inside-mukalla-government-1494971 |work=International Business Times |title=Yemen: Al-Qaeda operative Khalid Batarfi takes selfies inside Mukalla government |first=Umberto |last=Bacchi |date=4 April 2015 |accessdate=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="selfies">{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-operative-khalid-batarfi-takes-selfies-inside-mukalla-government-1494971 |work=International Business Times |title=Yemen: Al-Qaeda operative Khalid Batarfi takes selfies inside Mukalla government |first=Umberto |last=Bacchi |date=4 April 2015 |accessdate=9 April 2015}}</ref>
    Ibrahim al-Rubaysh Mufti
    • He was reported to be AQAP's mufti.<ref name=DoDList2> {{cite web |url=http://www.dod.mil/news/May2006/d20060515%20List.pdf |title=List of Individuals Detained by the Department of Defense at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from January 2002 through May 15, 2006 |publisher=[[United States Department of Defense]] |date=2006-05-15 |accessdate=2006-05-15 }}</ref>
    • Also served as a senior advisor for AQAP operational planning, and was involved in the planning of attacks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ibrahim al-Rubaysh |url=http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/ibrahim_al_rubaysh.html |year=2013 |accessdate=January 2015}}</ref>
    • Killed in a drone strike in April 2015<ref>{{cite news |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b5ef017dedd54d7986a67fd913b94f4b/yemens-al-qaida-branch-says-its-top-cleric-has-been-killed |agency=[[Associated Press]] |title=Yemen al-Qaida branch says top cleric killed in drone attack |date=14 April 2015}}</ref>
    Nasser bin Ali al-Ansi Deputy General Manager
    • al-Ansi became an appointed Deputy general manager of Al-Qaeda in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Osama bin Laden’s Files: Al Qaeda’s deputy general manager in Yemen |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/03/osama-bin-ladens-files-al-qaedas-deputy-general-manager-in-yemen.php |website=Long War Journal |date=March 2015 |accessdate=2015}}</ref>
    • al-Ansi was a senior ranking Shari'a official within AQAP.
    • He claimed responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo shooting on behalf of AQAP<ref>{{cite news |last=Aboudi |first=Sami |title=Al Qaeda claims French attack, derides Paris rally |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/14/us-france-shooting-aqap-idUSKBN0KN0VO20150114 |agency=Reuters |date=14 January 2015 |accessdate=15 January 2015}}</ref>
    • Killed in a drone strike in April 2015<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/07/middleeast/aqap-commander-killed/ |title=Senior AQAP leader Nasr Ibn Ali al-Ansi killed |author=Dana Ford |date=7 May 2015 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>
    Anwar al-Awlaki Chief of External Operations
    • Senior recruiter and involved in organizing external operations to be conducted for AQAP<ref name=att>{{Cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/technology/ci_13914150 |last=Cardona |first=Felisa |date=December 3, 2009 |title=U.S. attorney defends dropping radical cleric's case in 2002 |newspaper=[[The Denver Post]] |accessdate=December 7, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Boston Marathon Bombers Inspired By Anwar al-Awlaki |url=http://blog.adl.org/extremism/boston-marathon-bombers-inspired-by-anwar-al-awlaki |publisher=Anti-Defamation League}}</ref><ref name="sofrep.com">{{cite web |title=Getting to Know al-Qaeda&nbsp;– Part II: AQAP |url=http://sofrep.com/12282/getting-to-know-al-qaeda-part-ii-aqap/ |date=October 2012 |accessdate=2015}}</ref>
    • Killed in a drone strike in September 2011<ref>{{cite news |title=Islamist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki 'killed in Yemen' |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15121879 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=15 April 2015 |date=30 September 2011}}</ref>
    Harith bin Ghazi al-Nadhari Senior Shari'a official
    • Senior ranking Shari'a official within AQAP.
    • He rebuked the Islamic State announcement of expanding their caliphate into Yemen and renewed loyalties to al-Qaeda and its leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri<ref name="AQAPIS"/>
    • Killed in a drone strike in January 2015<ref>{{cite web |title=AQAP says senior leader killed in drone strike |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/aqap-says-senior-leader-harith-nadhari-killed-drone-strike-yemen/ |date=February 2015 |accessdate=February 2015}}</ref>
    Ibrahim al-Banna Chief of Security
    • Has served as AQAP's chief of security<ref name="Ibrahim al-Banna">{{cite web |title=Ibrahim al-Banna |url=http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/ibrahim_al_banna.html |accessdate=January 2015}}</ref>
    • He was a founding member of AQAP and provided military and security guidance to the AQAP leadership<ref name="Ibrahim al-Banna"/>
    • Falsely reported to have been killed in October 2011<ref name="sofrep.com"/>
    • He was added to the U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice list on October 19, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/10/232932.htm |title=Rewards for Justice&nbsp;— Reward Offers for Information on Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Leaders |work=U.S. Department of State |accessdate=22 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/ibrahim_al_banna.html |title=Rewards for Justice&nbsp;— Wanted |accessdate=22 March 2015}}</ref>
    Othman al-Ghamdi Operational commander
    • Al-Ghamdi has been involved in raising funds for the organization’s operations and activities in Yemen.<ref name="Othman al-Ghamdi">{{cite web |title=Othman al-Ghamdi |url=http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/othman_al_ghamdi.html |accessdate=January 2015}}</ref>
    • Al-Ghamdi appeared in a video released in May 2010, where he was identified publicly as AQAP’s operational commander.<ref name="Othman al-Ghamdi"/>
    • He was a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay from April 2006 to June 2006 until he was handed over to Saudi Arabian authorities and subsequently released.<ref name="sofrep.com"/>
    Ibrahim al-Asiri Explosives expert
    • al-Asiri is the chief bomb-maker and weapons specialists for AQAP<ref>[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/03/158911.htm Department of State's Terrorist Designation of Ibrahim Hassan Tali Al-Asiri], [[U.S. Department of State]], 24 March 2011</ref><ref name=SaudiGazette2009-08-31> {{cite news |url=http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009083148387 |title=Suicide bomber named |date=September 1, 2009 |author=Abdullah Al-Oreifij |work=[[Saudi Gazette]] |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saudigazette.com.sa%2Findex.cfm%3Fmethod%3Dhome.regcon%26contentID%3D2009083148387&date=2009-09-01 |archivedate=August 2, 2009 |accessdate=August 2, 2009}}</ref>
    • He was reported to have been responsible for making the bombs used by his brother Abdullah al-Asiri in his suicide bombing, the 2009 Christmas Day bomb plot, the 2010 cargo plane bomb plot, and the May 8th 2012 Terror Plot.<ref name=DailyBeast2012-05-14> {{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com//content/newsweek/2012/05/13/al-qaeda-s-body-bombs-al-asiri-s-next-threat.html |title=Ibrahim al-Asiri: The Body Bomb Menace |work=[[Daily Beast]] |date=2012-05-14 |accessdate=2012-05-14 |quote=Newsweek has learned that U.S. intelligence officials circulated a secret report that laid out in vivid detail how doctors working for al-Asiri had developed the surgical technique. An American government source familiar with the report described it as 15 to 20 pages, single spaced, and replete with schematics and pictures. “It was almost like something you’d see in Scientific American,” the source said. |author=Daniel Klaidman, Christopher Dickey}}</ref>
    Ibrahim al-Qosi Spokesman
    • al-Qosi was a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay from January 2002 to July 2012 until he was handed over to Sudan after serving a short sentence as part of a plea bargain.
    • He appeared in a video released in December 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Joscelyn|first1=Thomas|title=Ex-Guantanamo detainee now an al Qaeda leader in Yemen|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/12/ex-guantanamo-detainee-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-yemen.php|website=Long War Journal|publisher=Long War Journal|accessdate=10 December 2015}}</ref>

    Members

    The group has taken advantage of Yemen's "slow collapse into near-anarchy. Widespread corruption, growing poverty and internal fragmentation have helped make Yemen a breeding ground for terror."<ref name=Telegraph2010-01-03> {{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/6927845/Britain-and-US-close-embassies-in-Yemen-over-fears-of-imminent-attack-from-al-Qaeda.html |title=Britain and US close embassies in Yemen over fears of imminent attack from al-Qaeda |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=January 3, 2010 |author=Adrian Blomfield, Duncan Gardham |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworldnews%2Fmiddleeast%2Fyemen%2F6927845%2FBritain-and-US-close-embassies-in-Yemen-over-fears-of-imminent-attack-from-al-Qaeda.html&date=2010-01-16 |archivedate=January 16, 2010 |location=London}}</ref> More than two years later, on April 25, 2012, a suspected US drone strike killed Mohammed Said al-Umdah, a senior AQAP member cited as the number four in the organization and one of the 2006 escapees. He had been convicted of the 2002 tanker bombing and for providing logistical and material support.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9UBFKBG1.htm |title=Yemen army recaptures center of al-Qaida-held city |agency=Associated Press |date=January 16, 2010 |accessdate=April 25, 2012}}</ref> Yemeni analyst, Barak Barfi, discounted claims that marriage between the militant group and Yemeni tribes is a widespread practice, though he states that the bulk of AQAP members hail from the tribes.<ref name=barfi>{{Citation |last=Barfi |first=Barak |title=Yemen on the Brink?: The Resurgence of al Qaeda in Yemen |publisher=New America Foundation |year=2010 |url=http://www.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/Barfi.pdf }}</ref> AQAP is a popular choice for radicalized Americans seeking to join Islamist terror organizations overseas. In 2013 alone, at least three American citizens or permanent residents — Marcos Alonso Zea, Justin Kaliebe, and Shelton Thomas Bell — have attempted to join AQAP.<ref name="Anti-Defamation League">{{cite web |title=Long Island Arrest Highlights Continuing Lure Of Terror Groups Abroad |url=http://blog.adl.org/extremism/long-island-arrest-highlights-continuing-lure-of-terror-groups-abroad |work=Access ADL |publisher=Anti-Defamation League |accessdate=2013-10-21}}</ref> They count among over 50 Americans who have attempted to join terrorist groups overseas, including AQAP, since 2007.<ref name="Anti-Defamation League"/> Reportedly, as many as 20 Islamist British nationals traveled to Yemen in 2009 to be trained by AQAP.<ref> {{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/6924502/Detroit-terror-attack-Britain-sends-counter-terrorist-forces-to-Yemen.html |title=Detroit terror attack: Britain sends counter-terrorist forces to Yemen |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=January 3, 2010 |author=Sean Rayment, Adrian Blomfield, Richard Spencer, Philip Sherwell |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworldnews%2Fmiddleeast%2Fyemen%2F6924502%2FDetroit-terror-attack-Britain-sends-counter-terrorist-forces-to-Yemen.html&date=2010-01-16 |archivedate=January 16, 2010 |location=London}}</ref> In February 2012, up to 500 Internationalistas from Somalia's Al Shabaab, after getting cornered by a Kenyan offensive and conflict with Al Shabaab national legions, fled to Yemen.<ref>http://www.longwarjournal.org/ linked to http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=23090&tirsan=3</ref> It is likely that a number of this group merged with AQAP. The following is a list of people who have been purported to be AQAP members. Most, but not all, are or were Saudi nationals. Roughly half have appeared on Saudi "most wanted" lists. In the left column is the rank of each member in the original 2003 list of the 26 most wanted.
    Most
    wanted    		 English Arabic Notes
    Yousif Saleh Fahd al-'Uyayri (or Ayyiri, etc.) يوسف صالح فهد العييري leader, writer, and webmaster, killed June 2003 in Saudi Arabia<ref name="MIA">{{cite web |url=http://ctc.usma.edu/atlas/Atlas-ResearchCompendium.pdf |title=CTC Sentinel&nbsp;— Combating Terrorism Center at West Point |accessdate=22 March 2015}}</ref>
    3 Khalid Ali bin Ali Hajj خالد علي بن علي حاج leader, killed in Riyadh March or April 2004<ref name="AliHajj">[http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?ArchiveId=2572 Saudi al-Qaida cell promises revenge], [[Al Jazeera]], 20 March 2004</ref>
    1 Abdulaziz Issa Abdul-Muhsin al-Muqrin عبد العزيز عيسى عبد المحسن المقرن url=https://sites.google.com/site/roblwagnerarchives/bitter-high-school-dropout/ |title="Bitter School Dropout Who Became a Flamboyant Killer" by Rob L. Wagner, '&#39;Saudi Gazette'&#39;, June 20, 2004 |publisher=Google |date=2004-06-20 |accessdate=2012-06-04}}</ref>
    5 Saleh Muhammad 'Audhuallah al-'Alawi al-Oufi صالح محمد عوض الله العلوي العوفي leader, killed 17 or 18 August 2005 in Madinah<ref name="Oufi">[http://arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=68673&d=19&m=8&y=2005 Al-Qaeda Chief in Kingdom Killed], ''[[Arab News]]'', 19 August 2005</ref>
    2 Rakan Muhsin Mohammed al-Saikhan راكان محسن محمد الصيخان killed 12 April 2004 in Riyadh
    7 Saud Hamoud 'Abid al-Qatini al-'Otaibi سعود حمود عبيد القطيني العتيبي senior member, one of 15 killed in a 3-day battle in Ar Rass April 2005<ref name="Rass15">[http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=61858&d=10&m=4&y=2005 Death of Top Terrorists in Al-Rass Gunbattle Confirmed], ''[[Arab News]]'', 10 April 2005</ref><ref name=Al-Ras>[https://sites.google.com/site/roblwagnerarchives/battle-of-al-ras "Battle of Al-Ras" by Sabria S. Jawhar and Rob L. Wagner, Saudi Gazette, April 12, 2005]. Google.com (2003-05-12). Retrieved 2011-12-29.</ref>
    4 Abdul Kareem Al-Majati عبد الكريم المجاطي Moroccan, killed with Saud al-Otaibi at Ar Rass,<ref name="Rass15"/> was wanted in the USA under the name Karim El Mejjati
    6 Ibrahim Muhammad Abdullah al-Rais إبراهيم محمد عبدا لله الريس killed 8 December 2003 in Riyadh
    8 Ahmad Abdul-Rahman Saqr al-Fadhli أحمد عبدالرحمن صقر الفضلي killed 22 April 2004 in Jeddah
    9 Sultan Jubran Sultan al-Qahtani alias Zubayr Al-Rimi سلطان جبران سلطان القحطاني q.v., killed 23 September 2003 in Jizan
    10 Abdullah Saud Al-Siba'i عبد الله سعود السباعي killed 29 December 2004<ref name="ksaposter">[http://www.saudiembassy.net/documents/Wanted%20Poster.pdf KSA wanted list], Embassy of Saudi Arabia to the USA</ref>
    11 Faisal Abdul-Rahman Abdullah al-Dakhil فيصل عبدالرحمن عبدالله الدخيل killed with al-Muqrin<ref name="CBCMuqrin"/>
    12 Faris al-Zahrani فارس آل شويل الزهراني ideologue, captured 5 August 2004 in Abha<ref name="Zahrani">[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/28/terror/main663581.shtml Saudis' Most Wanted Is Captured], [[CBS News]], 6 August 2004</ref>
    13 Khalid Mobarak Habeeb-Allah al-Qurashi خالد مبارك حبيب الله القرشي killed 22 April 2004 in Jeddah
    14 Mansoor Muhammad Ahmad Faqeeh منصور محمد أحمد فقيه surrendered 30 December 2003 in Najran
    15 'Issa Saad Muhammad bin 'Ushan عيسى سعد محمد بن عوشن ideologue, killed 20 July 2004 in Riyadh
    16 Talib Saud Abdullah Al Talib طالب سعود عبدالله آل طالب at large; (last of the original 26)
    17 Mustafa Ibrahim Muhammad Mubaraki مصطفى إبراهيم محمد مباركي killed 22 April 2004 in Jeddah
    18 Abdul-Majiid Mohammed al-Mani' عبد المجيد محمد المنيع ideologue, killed 12 October 2004 in Riyadh<ref name="CNNMani">[http://arabic.cnn.com/2004/middle_east/10/13/saudi.militant_clashes/index.html Report of death of al-Mani'], [[CNN]], 13 October 2004</ref>
    19 Nasir Rashid Nasir Al-Rashid ناصر راشد ناصر الراشد killed 12 April 2004 in Riyadh
    Sultan bin Bajad Al-Otaibi سلطان بن بجاد العتيبي spokesman<ref name="SBOtaibi">[http://www.siteinstitute.org/bin/articles.cgi?ID=publications12304&Category=publications&Subcategory=0 SITE notice] about Sultan al-Otaibi</ref> and writer for al-Qaeda, killed 28 or 29 December 2004<ref name="ABCOtaibi">[http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1274732.htm Australian Broadcasting Corp.] on Sultan al-Otaibi and Bandar al-Dakhil, 31 December 2004</ref>
    20 Bandar Abdul-Rahman Abdullah al-Dakhil بندر عبدالرحمن عبدالله الدخيل killed December 2004<ref name="ABCOtaibi"/>
    21 Othman Hadi Al Maqboul Almardy al-'Amari عثمان هادي آل مقبول العمري recanted, under an amnesty deal, 28 June 2004 in Namas<ref name="Amri">[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040629/world.htm Top Saudi militant surrenders], The Tribune (of India), 29 June 2004</ref><ref name="Hawali">[http://www.islamtoday.net/albasheer/show_news_content.cfm?id=30832 Islam Today] report of mediation in the surrender of Othman al-'Amri. The mediator was Safir al-Hawali; see [[Salman al-Ouda]].</ref>
    22 Talal A'nbar Ahmad 'Anbari طلال عنبر أحمد عنبري killed 22 April 2004 in Jeddah
    23 'Amir Muhsin Moreef Al Zaidan Al-Shihri عامر محسن مريف آل زيدان الشهري killed 6 November 2003 in Riyadh<ref name="buried">[http://www.saudiembassy.net/2004news/news/NewsDetail.asp?cIndex=1424 Death confirmed of wanted terrorist suspect Alshihri], Embassy of Saudi Arabia to USA, 22 February 2004</ref>
    24 Abdullah Muhammad Rashid al-Rashoud عبد الله محمد راشد الرشود q.v., ideologue, killed May or June 2005 in Iraq
    25 Abdulrahman Mohammad Mohammad Yazji عبدالرحمن محمد محمد يازجي killed 6 April 2005<ref name="ksaposter"/>
    26 Hosain Mohammad Alhasaki حسين محمد الحسكي Moroccan, held in Belgium<ref name="ksaposter"/>
    Turki N. M. al-Dandani تركي ناصر مشعل الدندني cell leader, a former # 1 most wanted,<ref name="WatanLists">[http://www.alwatan.com.sa/daily/alamn/amn01.htm KSA's 19 most wanted] and other information, ''[[Al-Watan, San'a'|Al-Watan]]'', 1 May 2004</ref> died by suicide July 2003 in al-Jawf<ref name="TDandani">[http://hir.harvard.edu/articles/1141/ Royal Crackdown], by John Walsh, ''[[Harvard International Review]]'', Fall 2003; about Turki al-Dandani. Details are at present available only in Arabic.</ref>
    Ibrahim bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad al-Muzaini إبراهيم بن عبد العزيز بن محمد المزين killed with Khalid Ali Hajj<ref name="AliHajj"/>
    Abdul-Rahman Mohammed Jubran al-Yazji عبدالكريم محمد جبران اليازجي killed 2 June 2004 in Ta'if<ref name="Yazji">[http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/6/2/93138.shtml Newsmax] on the death of Abdul-Rahman Yazji</ref>
    Mohammed Othman Abdullah al-Waleedi al-Shuhri محمد عثمان عبدالله الوليدي الشهري <ref name="WatanLists"/>
    Mansour Faqeeh منصور فقيه surrendered<ref name="ArabNewsFaqeeh">[http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=50174&d=20&m=8&y=2004 New Pictures of Most Wanted 7 Released], ''[[Arab News]]'', 20 August 2004</ref>
    Hamid Fahd Abdullah al-Salmi al-Shamri حمد فهد عبدالله الأسلمي الشمري <ref name="WatanLists"/>
    Ahmad Nasser Abdullah al-Dakhil أحمد ناصر عبدالله الدخيل <ref name="WatanLists"/> (dead)
    Turki bin Fuheid al-Mutairi a/k/a Fawaz al-Nashimi تركي بن فيهد المطيري killed with al-Muqrin<ref name="CBCMuqrin"/>
    Jubran Ali Hakmi جبران علي حكمي <ref name="AliHakmiAndHani">[http://www.alriyadh.com/Contents/12-05-2003/Mainpage/LOCAL1_7682.php ''Riyadh Daily''], 12 May 2003 (in Arabic)</ref>
    Hani Said Ahmed Abdul-Karim al-Ghamdi هاني سعيد أحمد عبد الكريم الغامدي <ref name="AliHakmiAndHani"/>
    Ali Abdul-Rahman al-Ghamdi علي عبد الرحمن الغامدي surrendered 26 June 2003<ref name="AliAlGhamdi">[http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/06/26/riyadh.bombing.suspect/index.html Key Riyadh bombings suspect gives up], [[CNN]], 26–27 June 2003</ref>
    Bandar bin Abdul-Rahman al-Ghamdi بندر عبد الرحمن الغامدي captured September 2003 in Yemen<ref name="bbcSeveral">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/middle_east/3531657.stm Summary of several captures] in the Arabian Peninsula, [[BBC]], 4 March 2004</ref> and extradited to KSA
    Fawaz Yahya al-Rabi'i فواز يحيى الربيعي q.v., killed 1 October 2006 in Yemen
    Abdul-Rahman Mansur Jabarah عبدالرحمن منصور جبارة "Canadian-Kuwaiti of Iraqi origin",<ref name="WatanLists"/> dead according to al-Qaeda; brother of Kuwaiti-Canadian Mohamed Mansour Jabarah
    Adnan bin Abdullah al-Omari captured somewhere outside KSA, extradited to KSA November 2005<ref name="bbcOmari">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4419202.stm Report on al-Omari], [[BBC News]], 8 November 2005</ref>
    Abdul-Rahman al-Mutib killed in al Qasim December 2005<ref name="BBCMutib">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4563848.stm Saudis 'kill militant fugitive'], [[BBC]], 28 December 2005</ref>
    Muhammad bin Abdul-Rahman al-Suwailmi, alias Abu Mus'ab al-Najdi محمد بن عبد الرحمن السويلمي killed in al Qasim December 2005<ref name="BBCMutib"/>
    According to Saudi authorities,<ref name="Riyadh12">[http://saudinf.com/main/y5802.htm Saudi government identifies 12 dead bombers] re the Riyadh residential compound attack</ref> these 12 died or were killed while committing the Riyadh compound bombings on 12 May 2003. Several were previously wanted.
    Khaled Mohammad Muslim Al-Juhani خالد محمد مسلم الجهني leader of this group
    Abdul-Karim Mohammed Jubran Yazji عبد الكريم محمد جبران اليازجي
    Mohammed Othman Abdullah Al-Walidi Al-Shehri ومحمد عثمان عبد الله الوليدي الشهري
    Hani Saeed Ahmad Al Abdul-Karim Al-Ghamdi هاني سعيد أحمد عبد الكريم الغامدي
    Jubran Ali Ahmad Hakami Khabrani جبران علي أحمد حكمي خبراني
    Khaled bin Ibrahim Mahmoud خالد بن إبراهيم محمود called "Baghdadi"
    Mehmas bin Mohammed Mehmas Al-Hawashleh Al-Dosari محماس بن محمد محماس الهواشلة الدوسري
    Mohammed bin Shadhaf Ali Al-Mahzoum Al-Shehri محمد بن شظاف علي آل محزوم الشهري
    Hazem Mohammed Saeed حازم محمد سعيد called "Kashmiri"
    Majed Abdullah Sa'ad bin Okail ماجد عبدالله سعد بن عكيل
    Bandar bin Abdul-Rahman Menawer Al-Rahimi Al-Mutairi بندر بن عبد الرحمن منور الرحيمي المطيري
    Abdullah Farres bin Jufain Al-Rahimi Al-Mutairi عبدالله فارس بن جفين الرحيمي المطيري
    Abdullah Hassan Al Aseery عبد الله حسن عسيري Died trying to assassinate a Saudi prince in October 2009.
    The following five were reported killed in Dammam in early September 2005.<ref name="Dammam5">[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-09-08-saudis-militants_x.htm?csp=34 Saudi Arabia says 5 militants slain belonged to al-Qaeda], [[Associated Press]], 8 September 2005</ref>
    Zaid Saad Zaid al-Samari a former most wanted, killed by Saudi forces in 2005<ref>http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=1717409&ct=2513299&printmode=1</ref>
    Saleh Mansour Mohsen al-Fereidi al-Harbi
    Sultan Saleh Hussan al-Haseri
    Naif Farhan Jalal al-Jehaishi al-Shammari
    Mohammed Abdul-Rahman Mohammed al-Suwailmi
    Abu Hareth Muhammad al-Oufi Former Guantanamo captive who appeared in threatening YouTube video in January 2009, and who voluntarily turned himself in to Saudi authorities a month later.<ref name=Abc2009-01-23> {{cite news |url=http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=6714422 |title=Report: Ex-Gitmo Detainee Joins Al-Qaida in Yemen |publisher=[[ABC News]] |date=January 23, 2009 |author=Maggie Michael |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2Fprint%3Fid%3D6714422&date=2009-10-24 |archivedate=October 24, 2009}}</ref>
    Abu Abdurrahman - al Faranghi<ref>{{cite news |title=none |newspaper=Verdens Gang |date=2012-07-02 |author=Vikås, Marianne |author2=Coombs, Casey L. |author3=Johnsrud, Ingar |author4=Akerhaug, Lars |author5=[[Tom Bakkeli|Bakkeli, Tom]] |page=12 |language=Norwegian}}</ref> A convert—allegedly trained as a bombmaker<ref>Leon Watson (2012-06-26). "Norwegian man trained by Al Qaeda in Yemen is planning an attack on the West, say security forces". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2012-10-09.

Bibliography

  • Johnsen, Gregory (2012). The Last Refuge: Yemen, al-Qaeda, and America's War in Arabia, Scribe, Melbourne. ISBN 9781922070012.

Further reading

External links

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