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| caption = The [[Black Standard]] used by AQAP
| ideology = {{ubl|class=nowrap|
|[[Anti-Americanism]]|[[Anti Western]]
|[[Pan-Islamism]]
|[[Islamic extremism]]<ref name="Kendall 2021">{{cite journal |author-last=Kendall |author-first=Elisabeth |date=8 September 2021 |url=https://ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CTC-SENTINEL-072021.pdf |title=Twenty Years After 9/11: The Jihadi Threat in the Arabian Peninsula |url-status=live |editor1-last=Cruickshank |editor1-first=Paul |editor2-last=Hummel |editor2-first=Kristina |journal=[[CTC Sentinel]] |volume=14 |issue=7 |pages=63–75 |publisher=[[Combating Terrorism Center]] |location=[[West Point, New York]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908175925/https://ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CTC-SENTINEL-072021.pdf |archive-date=8 September 2021 |access-date=10 November 2021}}</ref>
|[[Islamic Fundamentalism]]|[[Qutbism]]<ref name="counterextremism.com">{{cite web |title=Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) |url=http://www.counterextremism.com/threat/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-aqap |website=Counter Extremism Project |access-date=23 April 2015 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225080226/https://www.counterextremism.com/threat/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-aqap%20 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|[[Wahabism]]|[[Salafism]]|[[Salafi jihadism]]<ref name="Kendall 2021" /><ref name="counterextremism.com" /><br />[[Irredentism]]<ref name="undocs.org">{{cite web|url=http://undocs.org/S/2018/705|title=S/2018/705 – E|website=undocs.org|access-date=2018-08-15|archive-date=2019-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808190033/https://undocs.org/S/2018/705|url-status=live}}</ref>
|[[Anti-Zionism]]{{refn|<ref name=Time1999>{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,17676,00.html|title=Conversation With Terror|magazine=Time|date=January 1999|access-date=22 March 2015|archive-date=5 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205200538/http://content.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,17676,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Letter2002>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/nov/24/theobserver|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826184301/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/nov/24/theobserver|archive-date=2013-08-26|title=Full text: bin Laden's 'letter to America' | World news | Observer.co.uk|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=26 August 2013}}</ref>}}
|[[Antisemitism]]{{refn|<ref name=Time1999 /><ref name=Letter2002 /><ref name=May1998>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/who/interview.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990508145341/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/who/interview.html|title=frontline: the terrorist and the superpower: who is bin laden?: interview with osama bin laden (in may 1998)|archive-date=8 May 1999|publisher=pbs.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adl.org/blog/new-isis-and-al-qaeda-propaganda-prioritize-the-us-and-jews-as-targets|title=New ISIS and Al-Qaeda propaganda prioritize the US and Jews as targets|website=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=2018-09-06|archive-date=2017-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823160548/https://www.adl.org/blog/new-isis-and-al-qaeda-propaganda-prioritize-the-us-and-jews-as-targets|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adl.org/blog/isis-augments-its-threats-against-israel|title=ISIS Augments Its Threats Against Israel|website=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=2018-09-06|archive-date=2017-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823115829/https://www.adl.org/blog/isis-augments-its-threats-against-israel|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Israel>{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/al-qaeda-calls-attacks-jews-and-americans-everywhere-over-jerusalem|title=Al-Qaeda calls for attacks on Jews and Americans 'everywhere' over Jerusalem|website=Middle East Eye|access-date=2019-12-27|archive-date=2019-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711062526/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/al-qaeda-calls-attacks-jews-and-americans-everywhere-over-jerusalem|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|[[Anti-Christian sentiment]]|[[Anti-Shi'ism]]|[[Anti-imperialism]]<ref name="counterextremism.com" />
}}
| position =
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*[[Al Bayda Governorate]]
*[[Marib Governorate]]
| active = January 2009 – present
| size = {{ubl|class=nowrap|
<ref>{{cite web|date=2010-01-02|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20100102-us-general-petraeus-meets-yemeni-president-anti-terrorism-talks|title=US general Petraeus meets Yemeni president for anti-terrorism talks |website=France 24|access-date=2024-10-18}}</ref>
|1,000 (2014 estimate)<ref>{{cite web|date=2015-06-19|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2014/239413.htm|title=Country Reports on Terrorism 2014|website=U.S. Department of State|access-date=2024-10-12|archive-date=2024-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515035727/https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/239631.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
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*{{flagdeco|ISIL}} [[Aden-Abyan Islamic Army]]
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} [[al-Qaeda of Saudi Arabia]]
| merger = al-Qaeda in Yemen and [[al-Qaeda of Saudi Arabia|al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia]]
| allies = '''Non-state allies:'''
*{{flagicon image|ShababFlag.svg}} [[al-Shabaab (militant group)|al-Shabaab]] <small>(2009–present)</small><ref>{{cite web |title=Thirty-fourth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2734 (2024) concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities |url=https://nordicmonitor.com/2022/02/the-un-report-indicates-al-qaeda-and-isis-enjoys-safe-haven-in-turkish-controlled-idlib/ |website=United Nations Security Council |date=2024-07-22 |access-date=15 February 2022 |archive-date=15 February 2022 |archive-url=https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n24/191/91/pdf/n2419191.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
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*[[File:Houthis Logo.png|25px]] [[Houthis]]
'''State opponents'''
*{{flag|Yemen}} <small>([[Presidential Leadership Council]])</small>
*{{flagu|Yemen}} <small>([[Supreme Political Council]])</small>
*{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}
*{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}
*{{flag|United States}}
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}
*{{flag|France}}
*{{flag|Australia}}
| battles = {{Collapsible list
|bullets = yes
| [[Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen#Second Battle of Lawdar|Second Battle of Lawdar]]
| [[Battle of Radda]]
| [[2014 hostage rescue operations in Yemen]]
}}
{{Collapsible list
|bullets = yes
|title = '''[[Yemeni civil war (2014–present)]]''' | [[January 2015 Sanaa bombing]]
| [[Fall of Zinjibar and Jaar]]
| [[Southern Abyan Offensive (2016)]]
| [[Aden unrest (2015–2019)#Battle of Al-Mansoura|Battle of Al-Mansoura]]
| [[Battle of Mukalla (2016)]]
| [[Abyan conflict#Al Wadea offensive|Al Wadea offensive]]
| [[Battle of Al-Masini Valley]]
| [[Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen#Operation Decisive Sword|Operation Decisive Sword]]
| [[Abyan conflict#Battle of Maraqisha|Battle of Maraqisha]]
| [[Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen#Operation Crushing Revenge|Operation Crushing Revenge]]
| [[Al Bayda offensive]]
}}
| url = {{Official URL}}
| preceded by = {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} [[Al-Qaeda of Saudi Arabia|Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia]]<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|center|250px}} Al-Qaeda in Yemen
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*[[2012 Sana'a bombing]]
*[[2013 Sana'a attack]]
*[[Charlie Hebdo shooting]]
*[[Naval Air Station Pensacola shooting]]
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}}
'''Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula''' ({{
Originally established in 2009 as a merger between al-Qaeda in Yemen and [[al-Qaeda of Saudi Arabia]], the group took advantage of the 2011 [[Yemeni Revolution]] to seize and establish several [[emirate]]s in southern Yemen, including [[Battle of Zinjibar|in Zinjibar]], the capital of [[Abyan Governorate|Abyan governorate]].<ref name=":2" /> After being driven out through [[2012 Abyan offensive|a government offensive]] in 2012, the group began shifting to eastern [[Hadhramaut Governorate|Hadhramaut governorate]] while maintaining a presence across the country.<ref name=":4" /> AQAP would once again capitalize on political turmoil in the country when the [[Yemeni civil war (2014–present)|Yemeni civil war]] broke out in 2015. During that year the group seized much of Hadhramaut, [[Battle of Mukalla (2015)|including its capital Mukalla]], reestablished its emirates in the south, and was active in 82 of Yemen's 333 districts.<ref name=":2" /> AQAP would reach its peak in power in early 2016 after connecting its territory in Abyan and Shabwah governorates through [[Southern Abyan Offensive (2016)|an offensive in February]]. Its strength has since waned due to internal struggles and operations waged against them by multiple parties in the civil war, as well as through a [[Drone strikes in Yemen|drone campaign by the United States]] which has killed many of its senior members and leaders.<ref name=":2" />
In 2011, AQAP created [[Ansar al-Sharia (Yemen)|Ansar al-Sharia]] ({{
== Organization ==
=== Formation ===
On 12 October 2000, [[USS Cole bombing|two AQY suicide bombers]] drove a rubber dinghy loaded with explosives into the side of the ''[[USS Cole]]'' while it was docked at the [[Port of Aden]], blowing a hole in the side of the ship and killing 17 members of the crew, as well as injuring 40.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-02-13 |title=USS Cole bombing: Sudan agrees to compensate families |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51487712 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205095516/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51487712 |archive-date=2024-02-05 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> This same tactic was used on 6 October 2002, when the ''[[MV Limburg]]'' was bombed while approaching the Mina al-Dabah port, killing 1 crew member and wounding 12.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last1=Henley |first1=Jon |last2=Stewart |first2=Heather |date=2002-10-07 |title=Al-Qaida suspected in tanker explosion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/oct/07/alqaida.france |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618231712/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/oct/07/alqaida.france |archive-date=2024-06-18 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2006-10-01 |title=Al-Qaeda fugitive killed in Yemen |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5396862.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103184030/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5396862.stm |archive-date=2023-11-03 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
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After the [[September 11 attacks]], Saleh was heavily pressured by the United States into cracking down on al-Qaeda groups in the country. Saleh obliged and agreed to coordinated several operations with the U.S. to defeat al-Qaeda, such as with a [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] [[Drone warfare|drone strike]] on 3 November 2002 which killed AQY leader [[Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi|Abu Ali al-Harithi]] in [[Marib Governorate|Marib governorate]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2002-11-05 |title=U.S. Predator Kills 6 Al Qaeda Suspects |url=https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=130027&page=1 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> By the end of 2003, AQY and other al-Qaeda affiliates were significantly weakened.<ref name=":1" /> In February 2006, 23 al-Qaeda members [[2006 Yemen prison escape|escaped imprisonment]] in Sana'a through digging a 140-metre long tunnel. The escapees would end up rebuilding al-Qaeda's footprint within the country over the next few years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-02-05 |title=USS Cole plotter escapes prison |url=https://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/05/cole.escape/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060207015844/https://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/05/cole.escape/index.html |archive-date=2006-02-07 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Al-Qaeda maintained a presence in Yemen, evident by multiple high-profile attacks in the country such as the [[2007 Marib suicide car bombing|2007 Marib car bombing]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-06-09 |title=Probe urged into attack on Spanish tourists in Yemen |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/6/9/probe-urged-into-attack-on-spanish-tourists-in-yemen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910124858/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/6/9/probe-urged-into-attack-on-spanish-tourists-in-yemen |archive-date=2024-09-10 |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> and the [[2008 attack on the United States embassy in Yemen|2008 attack on the United States embassy in Sana'a]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-09-17 |title=Car Bomb Hits U.S. Embassy In Yemen |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/car-bomb-hits-us-embassy-in-yemen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924083753/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/car-bomb-hits-us-embassy-in-yemen/ |archive-date=2021-09-24 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>
After initial success through early operations such as the [[Riyadh compound bombings|2003 Riyadh bombings]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-04-21 |title=Saudi Arabia sentences five to death over 2003 attacks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27103375 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130815/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27103375 |archive-date=2024-05-11 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> murder of [[Paul Marshall Johnson Jr.]] in 2004,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-06-21 |title=Special coverage of the murder of American hostage Paul Johnson Jr. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5262516 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116162439/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5262516 |archive-date=2022-11-16 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> [[2004 Khobar massacre|2004 Khobar attack]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-12-03 |title=Exclusive footage shows deadly attack in Saudi's al-Khobar in 2004 |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/webtv/reports/2015/12/03/Exclusive-footage-shows-deadly-2004-attack-in-Saudi-s-al-Khobar-city |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422193623/https://english.alarabiya.net/webtv/reports/2015/12/03/Exclusive-footage-shows-deadly-2004-attack-in-Saudi-s-al-Khobar-city |archive-date=2021-04-22 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Al Arabiya}}</ref> and the 2005 Qatar theatre bombing,<ref name="qatar">{{cite news |date=25 March 2005 |title=The Advent Of Terrorism In Qatar |url=https://www.forbes.com/home/energy/2005/03/25/cz_0325oxan_qatarattack.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209133214/http://www.forbes.com/2005/03/25/cz_0325oxan_qatarattack.html |archive-date=9 February 2008 |work=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> [[al-Qaeda of Saudi Arabia]]'s remnants had been forced to flee to Yemen by late 2008 due to extreme pressure by the Saudi government. Al-Qaeda of Saudi Arabia and al-Qaeda in Yemen merged in January 2009 to form Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.<ref name=":1" /> [[Nasir al-Wuhayshi]], leader of the Yemeni branch, was confirmed to be the
=== Ideology ===
The primary goals of AQAP are similar to that of its parent organization and other [[Jihadism|jihadist]] groups. AQAP seeks to create to expel Western presence and influences in the Arabian Peninsula and to establish an [[Islamic state|Islamic emirate]] within Yemen. The group declares that the government of Yemen is a secular and "[[Apostasy in Islam|apostate]]" entity which must be overthrown and replaced by an Islamic government which adheres to their interpretation of
In addition to attacking the Yemeni government, AQAP is one of the few al-Qaeda affiliates which actively attempts to attack the "far enemy", that being the United States. They advocate for the unity of Muslims in order to attack American targets, whether civilian, military or diplomatic.<ref name="auto1" /> AQAP asserts that Yemen should be the epicenter of jihad against America and secular Arab governments, as opposed to then-occupied [[Iraq]] or [[Afghanistan]], as they deem it a religious obligation to expel "polytheists and apostates" from the Arabian Peninsula. They also believe that attacking American interests in the Arabian Peninsula, specifically [[Extraction of petroleum|oil production]], would lead to the U.S. withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan and eventually collapsing entirely.<ref name=":39">{{Cite web |last=Koehler-Derrick |first=Gabriel |date=2011-10-03 |title=A False Foundation? AQAP, Tribes and Ungoverned Spaces in Yemen |url=https://ctc.westpoint.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/CTC_False_Foundation3.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604201752/https://ctc.westpoint.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/CTC_False_Foundation3.pdf |archive-date=2024-06-04 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=CDC Westpoint |page=}}</ref> Prior to the Yemeni revolution, most of AQAP's high profile activities were attempted attacks against the United States, most notably the attempted bombing of Northwest Airlines Flight 253 in 2009 and a [[2010 transatlantic aircraft bomb plot|cargo plane bomb plot in 2010]]. A July 2010 letter from senior al-Qaeda core member [[Atiyah Abd al-Rahman|Atiyya Abd al-Rahman]] urged AQAP to avoid conflict with the Yemeni government and instead dedicate itself towards attacking America.<ref name=":10" /> One of AQAP's main ideologues on jihad against the West was [[Anwar al-Awlaki]], a [[Yemeni Americans|Yemeni American]] preacher who had incited multiple attacks in the United States.<ref name=":24" />
=== Structure ===
AQAP's leadership and organizational structure is hierarchical and decentralized.<ref name=":1" /> The leader of the organization is the emir, who as of March 2024 is [[Sa'ad bin Atef al-Awlaki]]. The emir oversees all of the groups activities and consults with the Shura Council to decide its general direction and tactics.<ref name=":10" /> Specific duties attributed to the emir include 'approving targets, recruiting new members, allocating resources to training and attack planning, and tasking others to carry out attacks'.<ref name=":11" />
Directly below the emir is the deputy leader, military commander, regional commanders for each of [[Governorates of Yemen|Yemen's governorates]] and department heads for different subdivisions.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=2024-08-16 |title=AQAP (Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) |url=https://www.counterextremism.com/threat/aqap-al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910225840/https://www.counterextremism.com/threat/aqap-al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula |archive-date=2024-09-10 |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Counter Extremism Project |language=en}}</ref> A [[United Nations]] [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] report from 2018 states that the group possesses 'doctrinal (shari'a), propaganda, military, security and financial subdivisions'.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=2018-07-27 |title=Twenty-second report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2368 (2017) concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities |url=https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n18/201/01/pdf/n1820101.pdf |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=United Nations Security Council |page=9}}</ref> The military branch directs AQAP's attacks, bombings, kidnappings and robberies, with its chief currently being Ammar al-San’ani.<ref name=":11" />
=== Size and Membership ===
The [[International Crisis Group]] maintains that before the Yemeni revolution in 2011, AQAP possessed at most 'several hundred members.'<ref name=":33">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-17 |title=Yemen's al-Qaeda: Expanding the Base |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/gulf-and-arabian-peninsula/yemen/174-yemen-s-al-qaeda-expanding-base |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314041918/https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/gulf-and-arabian-peninsula/yemen/174-yemen-s-al-qaeda-expanding-base |archive-date=2024-03-14 |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=International Crisis Group}}</ref> According to the Yemeni foreign minister [[Abu Bakr al-Qirbi|Abu Bakr al-Kurbi]], the group had as many as 300 members by late 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-02 |title=US general Petraeus meets Yemeni president for anti-terrorism talks |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20100102-us-general-petraeus-meets-yemeni-president-anti-terrorism-talks |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Daniel |date=2013-08-07 |title=Why Yemen's al-Qaeda branch is so feared by the West |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/why-yemen-s-al-qaeda-branch-is-so-feared-by-the-west-1.1331558 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817071500/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/why-yemen-s-al-qaeda-branch-is-so-feared-by-the-west-1.1331558 |archive-date=2024-08-17 |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=CBC News}}</ref> An estimate from the [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]] suggested that AQAP had approximately 1,000 members in 2014.<ref name=":35">{{Cite web |date=2015-06-19 |title=Country Reports on Terrorism 2014 |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/239631.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515035727/https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/239631.pdf |archive-date=2024-05-15 |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=U.S. Department of State |page=376 |quote=Strength: AQAP is estimated to have approximately one thousand members.}}</ref> This number had increased to 4,000 in a State Department release covering the group during 2016, after the Yemeni civil war had started.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-19 |title=Country Reports on Terrorism 2016 |url=https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/crt_2016.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516165841/https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/crt_2016.pdf |archive-date=2019-05-16 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=U.S. Department of State |page=435 |quote=Strength: AQAP is estimated to have up to four thousand members.}}</ref> A UN Security Council report from July 2024 indicated that AQAP had between 2,000 and 3,000 members.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-22 |title=Thirty-fourth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2734 (2024) concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities |url=https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n24/191/91/pdf/n2419191.pdf |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=United Nations Security Council |page=14}}</ref>
According to analyst Murad Batal al-Shishani, as of 2010 AQAP was primarily composed of Yemenis, who reportedly make up 56 percent of the groups membership. Among Yemenis, tribal representation is equally split among northern and southern tribes. The rest of the organization was composed of Saudis, who made up 37 percent, and foreigners, who made up 7 percent.<ref name=":40">{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Alistair |date=2010-05-01 |title=Exploiting Grievances Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula |url=https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/wps/ceip/0019028/f_0019028_16287.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918192348/https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/wps/ceip/0019028/f_0019028_16287.pdf |archive-date=2024-09-18 |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |series=Number 111}}</ref>
== Operations and activities in Yemen ==
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A series of coordinated U.S. airstrikes and Yemeni ground raids from 19 to 21 April in Abyan and Shabwah killed close to 55 AQAP members. In retaliation, AQAP killed 4 security officials over the next day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Black |first=Ian |date=2014-04-22 |title=Yemen conflict highlighted after 55 killed in air raids and drone strikes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/22/yemen-conflict-in-spotlight-after-drone-strikes-air-raids |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423014948/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/22/yemen-conflict-in-spotlight-after-drone-strikes-air-raids |archive-date=2014-04-23 |access-date=2024-09-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
On 29 April, the Yemeni government launched an offensive against AQAP strongholds in Abyan and Shabwah governorates. The offensives specifically targeted the mountainous [[Al Mahfad District|al-Mahfad district]] in Abyan and the town of 'Azzan in Shabwah, where AQAP forces had entrenched themselves after being forced out of population centres in the south. The same day, the army reported killing 8 AQAP militants and suffering 3 deaths, while an AQAP ambush on a convoy in Shabwah killed 15 soldiers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-04-29 |title=Yemen army launches major al-Qaeda offensive in south |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27212888 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627065546/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27212888 |archive-date=2023-06-27 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 1 May, 7 AQAP fighters, including Uzbek commander Abu Muslim al-Uzbeki were killed by fighting in al-Mahfad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-01 |title=Yemeni Army Kills 7 al-Qaida Fighters |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/yemeni-army-kills-7-al-qaida-fighters/1905512.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620141058/https://www.voanews.com/a/yemeni-army-kills-7-al-qaida-fighters/1905512.html |archive-date=2017-06-20 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref> On 3 May, 5 militants were killed in by airstrikes in Shabwah. The next day, the military reported killing 20 AQAP members and wounding dozens more.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-04 |title=Army kills 40 Al Qaeda suspects in south Yemen — ministry |url=https://jordantimes.com/news/region/army-kills-40-al-qaeda-suspects-south-yemen-%E2%80%94-ministry |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816100141/https://jordantimes.com/news/region/army-kills-40-al-qaeda-suspects-south-yemen-%E2%80%94-ministry |archive-date=2017-08-16 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Jordan Times |language=en}}</ref> On 6 May, al-Mahfad was captured by the army after a battle which killed "dozens" of AQAP fighters, who were forced to flee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-06 |title=Yemeni military seizes southern al Qaeda stronghold |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20140506-yemen-army-seizes-stronghold-qaeda-linked-militants-aqap |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506191212/https://www.france24.com/en/20140506-yemen-army-seizes-stronghold-qaeda-linked-militants-aqap |archive-date=2014-05-06 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> By 8 May, the army had secured al-Mahfad and Azzan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-08 |title=Western Missions in Yemen on Alert as Army Moves Against al-Qaida |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/western-missions-in-yemen-on-alert-as-army-moves-against-al-qaeda/1910561.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624044917/https://www.voanews.com/a/western-missions-in-yemen-on-alert-as-army-moves-against-al-qaeda/1910561.html |archive-date=2024-06-24 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>[[File:AQAP fighters in Yemen, 2014.jpg|thumb|left|240x240px|AQAP fighters in Yemen, 2014.]]On 9 May, at least
On 25 June, AQAP launched an attack on [[Seiyun Airport|Seiyun airport]], Hadhramaut. Gunmen stormed the airport, killing
After being driven out of the southern areas of the country over the past two years, AQAP began regrouping in the eastern [[Hadhramaut Governorate|Hadhramaut governorate]] of Yemen, where they prepared for the establishment of another "emirate". On 22 July, the group began distributing leaflets across the governorate ordering people to adhere to their law.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last1=Mukhashaf |first1=Mohammed |last2=Bayoumy |first2=Yara |date=2014-07-22 |title=Yemen's al Qaeda wing seeks to set up 'emirate' in east |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/yemens-al-qaeda-wing-seeks-set-emirate-east-115323279.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917002115/https://www.yahoo.com/news/yemens-al-qaeda-wing-seeks-set-emirate-east-115323279.html |archive-date=2024-09-17 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref>
On 21 September, the Houthis [[Houthi takeover in Yemen|took control]] of the capital of Yemen, Sana'a, after a [[Battle of Sanaa (2014)|brief battle]] with government forces. The same day, the [[Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi|Hadi]] government and the Houthis agreed to form a joint-unity government. The [[Shiite]] Houthis,
On 4 October, an AQAP attack in [[Al Bayda, Yemen|al-Bayda]] city killed at least
AQAP took responsibility for a suicide bombing in [[Tahrir Square, Sanaa|Tahrir Square]], Sana'a, on 9 October which killed 47 people and injured at least 75 others. The Square had previously been the centerpoint of the revolution a month earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-10 |title=Al Qaeda claims responsibility for Sanaa suicide bombings |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/al-qaeda-claims-responsibility-sanaa-suicide-bombings-184821975.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222224730/https://ca.news.yahoo.com/al-qaeda-claims-responsibility-sanaa-suicide-bombings-184821975.html |archive-date=2015-12-22 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-CA}}</ref>
On 15 October, Houthis and AQAP forces clashed in Rada'a, killing at least
On 21 November, AQAP released a message rebuking the [[Islamic State]], which had declared the established of a [[Islamic State – Yemen Province|Yemen branch]] earlier in the week. Up until that point AQAP had adopted a more neutral approach to ISIS compared to other al-Qaeda branches which were in direct conflict with ISIS.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruickshank |first=Paul |date=2014-11-21 |title=Al Qaeda in Yemen rebukes ISIS |url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/21/world/meast/al-qaeda-yemen-isis/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806152929/https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/21/world/meast/al-qaeda-yemen-isis/index.html |archive-date=2024-08-06 |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
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{{Main|2014 hostage rescue operations in Yemen}}
On 26 November, United States [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEALs]] from [[SEAL Team Six|DEVGRU]] collaborated with Yemeni special forces [[2014 hostage rescue operations in Yemen|in a hostage rescue mission]] to free American journalist [[Luke Somers]], along with multiple other hostages held by AQAP. The mission took place in northern Hadhramaut, along the border with Saudi Arabia. The team engaged AQAP in a firefight near a cave housing the hostages, killing
On 3 December, a suicide car bomb targeted the home of the Iranian ambassador to Yemen in Sana'a, killing 3 people and injuring 17. AQAP was suspected to have
On 16 December, AQAP attempted [[2014 Radda bombings|a car bombing]] against Houthi gathering points in Rada'a. One bomb made it to the target, but another bomb came short, exploding next to a school bus. The bombings killed 31 people altogether, 20 of them children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Almasmari |first=Hakim |date=2014-12-16 |title=Bomb meant for militants kills 20 children in Yemen, officials say |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/16/world/meast/yemen-violence/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410073225/https://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/16/world/meast/yemen-violence/ |archive-date=2023-04-10 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
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On 5 March, Nour Ahmad Nikbakht [[2013 Iranian diplomat kidnapping#Return|was repatriated to Iran]] by AQAP in a prisoner swap with Iranian government. In return for the diplomat, AQAP freed 5 senior al-Qaeda leaders held by Iran; Egyptians [[Saif al-Adel]], [[Abu Khayr al-Masri]] and [[Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah]], and Jordanians [[Khalid al-Aruri]] and [[Sari Shihab]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldman |first=Adam |date=2023-04-10 |title=Top al-Qaeda operatives freed in prisoner swap with Iran |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/top-al-qaeda-operatives-freed-in-prisoner-swap-with-iran/2015/09/18/02bc58e2-5e0c-11e5-9757-e49273f05f65_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001203351/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/top-al-qaeda-operatives-freed-in-prisoner-swap-with-iran/2015/09/18/02bc58e2-5e0c-11e5-9757-e49273f05f65_story.html |archive-date=2015-10-01 |access-date=2024-09-26 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
[[President of Yemen|President]] [[Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi]] resigned on 21 January, leading to the Houthis seizing the Presidential Palace a few days later and consolidating their power. After the Houthis dissolved parliament and established their own [[Supreme Political Council|interim government]] on 6 February, Hadi fled Sana'a on 21 February to [[Aden]], where he later rescinded his abdication and labeled [[Cabinet of Yemen|his government]] as the legitimate representatives of Yemen.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-02-06 |title=Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels announce takeover |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31169773 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916022607/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31169773 |archive-date=2024-09-16 |access-date=2024-09-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-02-24 |title=Yemen's president retracts resignation after escape from house arrest |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/24/yemens-president-retracts-resignation-after-escape-from-house-arrest |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203222157/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/24/yemens-president-retracts-resignation-after-escape-from-house-arrest |archive-date=2022-12-03 |access-date=2024-09-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Hadi fled Yemen on 25 March as a [[Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war|ten-country coalition led by Saudi Arabia]] and endorsed by the United States announced their intervention in Yemen in support of the internationally recognized government and against the Houthis.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-26 |title=Saudi Arabia, allies launch air campaign in Yemen against Houthi fighters |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/03/25/saudi-arabia-allies-launch-air-strikes-on-houthi-rebels-in-yemen--saudi-envoy.html |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Al Mukala (2285805011).jpg|thumb|The coast of Mukalla.]]
On 20 March, AQAP captured the capital of [[Lahij Governorate|Lahij governorate]], [[Lahij|al-Houta]], killing 20 soldiers and occupying the city for multiple hours before being driven out.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2015-03-21 |title=Yemen mosque bombings 'could only be done by the enemies of life' – president |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/21/yemen-mosque-bombings-enemies-of-life-president-abedrabbo-mansour-hadi-houthi-isis-al-qaida |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913161731/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/21/yemen-mosque-bombings-enemies-of-life-president-abedrabbo-mansour-hadi-houthi-isis-al-qaida |archive-date=2024-09-13 |access-date=2024-09-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> By late-March, most army and coalition forces were battling the Houthis, who were [[Battle of Aden (2015)|attempting to push into Aden]]. This gave AQAP an opportunity to make major gains in regions away from the Houthi conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kirkpatrick |first1=David |last2=Fahim |first2=Kareem |date=2015-04-02 |title=Affiliate of Al Qaeda Seizes Major Yemeni City, Driving Out the Military |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/04/world/middleeast/al-qaeda-al-mukalla-yemen.html?_r=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920223500/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/03/world/middleeast/yemen-al-qaeda-attack.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimesworld |archive-date=2024-09-20 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> On 2 April, AQAP fighters stormed the capital of Hadhramaut governorate, [[Mukalla]], breaching its central prison and releasing over 300 inmates, about a third of which were believed to be AQAP affiliated. Among the released included senior commander [[Khalid Batarfi]], who led AQAP's Abyan offensive in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boghani |first=Priyanka |date=2024-03-04 |title=With Yemen in Turmoil, Al Qaeda Breaks Hundreds Out of Prison |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/with-yemen-in-turmoil-al-qaeda-breaks-hundreds-out-of-prison/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304124215/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/with-yemen-in-turmoil-al-qaeda-breaks-hundreds-out-of-prison/ |archive-date=2024-03-04 |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=PBS}}</ref> The militants had also seized key government buildings within the city, such as the presidential palace and the central bank, the latter of which they looted more than US$1 million from. By the next day, Mukalla, the fifth-largest city in Yemen, had fallen completely to AQAP as the military was driven out by mortar fire.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Al-Batati |first1=Saeed |last2=Fahim |first2=Kareem |date=2015-04-03 |title=Affiliate of Al Qaeda Seizes Major Yemeni City, Driving Out the Military |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/04/world/middleeast/al-qaeda-al-mukalla-yemen.html?_r=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816191213/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/04/world/middleeast/al-qaeda-al-mukalla-yemen.html?_r=0 |archive-date=2024-08-16 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> On 4 April, the [[Hadhramaut Tribal Alliance]], a pro-government tribal militia, occupied 2 army bases and began to enter the city to battle AQAP.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-04 |title=Yemen Tribal Forces Vow to Retake Mukalla From al-Qaida |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/yemen-tribal-forces-vow-to-retake-mukalla-from-al-qaida/2706647.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609145517/https://www.voanews.com/a/yemen-tribal-forces-vow-to-retake-mukalla-from-al-qaida/2706647.html |archive-date=2023-06-09 |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref> By 7 April, AQAP had reportedly lost nearly half of the city to the tribesmen.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-07 |title=Suspected al Qaeda militants take Yemen border post with Saudi |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSKBN0MY18F20150407/?irpc=932 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Reuters}}</ref> On 12 April, a U.S. drone strike in Mukalla killed multiple AQAP members, including senior cleric [[Ibrahim al-Rubaysh]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=2015-04-14 |title=Drone Attack Kills Top Cleric, al-Qaeda Branch Says |url=https://time.com/3821486/yemen-al-qaeda-branch-cleric-drone/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215072302/https://time.com/3821486/yemen-al-qaeda-branch-cleric-drone/ |archive-date=2023-12-15 |access-date=2024-09-21 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref> AQAP militants seized Mukalla's [[Riyan Airport|Rayan airport]], a nearby oil terminal on the coast of the city, and the city's main army base on 16 April. The next day, the group seized a large weapons depot near the city, capturing dozens of tanks, rocket launchers and small arms. After forging a truce with the local tribes of the city, AQAP had consolidated their power in Mukalla.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-17 |title=Al-Qaida in Yemen Takes Massive Weapons Depot From Army |url=http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/04/17/world/middleeast/ap-ml-yemen.html?_r=0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519023856/http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/04/17/world/middleeast/ap-ml-yemen.html?_r=0 |archive-date=2015-05-19 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bennett |first1=Brian |last2=King |first2=Laura |date=2015-04-17 |title=Al Qaeda in Yemen using chaos of war to carve out terrorism haven |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-us-alqaeda-20150418-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623053804/https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-us-alqaeda-20150418-story.html |archive-date=2024-06-23 |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Soon after, the group transferred power to a civilian council, assigning them a budget of over $4 million to maintain the city. AQAP refrained from imposing the strict Sharia law that they once imposed in their Abyan emirate, their only notable presence in the city being a police station where they mediated local disputes.<ref name=":36">{{Cite web |last=Hubbard |first=Ben |date=2015-06-09 |title=Al Qaeda Tries a New Tactic to Keep Power: Sharing It |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/10/world/middleeast/qaeda-yemen-syria-houthis.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313004730/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/10/world/middleeast/qaeda-yemen-syria-houthis.html |archive-date=2023-03-13 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The group reportedly collected an estimated US$2 million daily from customs fees on goods entering through the [[port of Mukalla]].<ref name=":2" />
By mid-June, AQAP had occupied large portions of Hadhramaut as its new emirate, and were engaging the Houthis in al-Bayda, although to a lesser amount of success. AQAP has prioritized establishing relations with the local tribes of Hadhramaut and al-Bayda in order to gain their acceptance. The largely Sunni tribes of the area see AQAP as a bulwark against the Shiite Houthis.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Naylor |first=Hugh |date=2023-04-09 |title=Quietly, al-Qaeda offshoots expand in Yemen and Syria |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/quietly-al-qaeda-offshoots-expand-in-yemen-and-syria/2015/06/04/9575a240-0873-11e5-951e-8e15090d64ae_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605010144/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/quietly-al-qaeda-offshoots-expand-in-yemen-and-syria/2015/06/04/9575a240-0873-11e5-951e-8e15090d64ae_story.html |archive-date=2015-06-05 |access-date=2024-09-21 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> AQAP has used Mukalla and their Hadhramaut emirate in general as a headquarters and a launching pad for its activities in the rest of the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riedel |first=Bruce |date=2015-07-12 |title=Al-Qaida's Hadramawt emirate |url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/al-qaidas-hadramawt-emirate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711001810/https://www.brookings.edu/articles/al-qaidas-hadramawt-emirate/ |archive-date=2024-07-11 |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Brookings |language=en-US}}</ref>
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In July, AQAP's relations with the [[Islamic State – Yemen Province|Islamic State - Yemen Province]] (ISY) deteriorated into open conflict. Tensions between the two groups rose after ISY had incurred significant losses and began to operate more significantly in the Qayfa area of al-Bayda, an AQAP stronghold. On 10 July, clashes broke out between AQAP and ISY in Qayfa, killing 14 AQAP fighters and 22 ISY members.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Perkins |first=Brian |date=2018-09-21 |title=Clashes Between Islamic State and AQAP Emblematic of Broader Competition |url=https://jamestown.org/program/clashes-between-islamic-state-and-aqap-emblematic-of-broader-competition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914050615/https://jamestown.org/program/clashes-between-islamic-state-and-aqap-emblematic-of-broader-competition/ |archive-date=2024-09-14 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=The Jamestown Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref> After ISY had published a video depicting 12 AQAP members captured by the group, AQAP retaliated by attacking ISY positions in Qayfa, killing 25 and seizing ISY weapons and equipment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=al-Tamimi |first=Nabil |date=2018-08-02 |title=Al-Qaeda, ISIS clash in Yemen's al-Bayda |url=https://almashareq.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_am/features/2018/08/02/feature-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205204930/https://almashareq.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_am/features/2018/08/02/feature-01 |archive-date=2023-02-05 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Al-Mashareq |language=en-GB}}</ref> AQAP and ISY continued to publish messages attacking each other in August, with an IS-affiliated media source claiming that ISY had killed 47 AQAP fighters by mid-September. On 21 October, ISY reported an attack on AQAP that destroyed two of their vehicles and killed one of their fighters. An ISY attack on AQAP positions on 5 November reportedly destroyed an AQAP vehicle.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamming |first=Tore |date=2018-11-07 |title=Why Did the Jihadi Cold War in Yemen End? |url=https://warontherocks.com/2018/11/why-did-the-jihadi-cold-war-in-yemen-end/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914045113/https://warontherocks.com/2018/11/why-did-the-jihadi-cold-war-in-yemen-end/ |archive-date=2024-09-14 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=War on the Rocks |language=en-US}}</ref>
On 6 August, an ''[[Associated Press]]'' investigation revealed that the Saudi-led coalition had been making secret deals with AQAP since 2016 that had them leave their strongholds without conflict. AQAP militants would retreat from the areas with their loot and equipment without being targeted, with the coalition then claiming large victories against AQAP forces. The Yemeni government and coalition see AQAP as essentially on the same side as them in the civil war, deeming the spread of the Iran-aligned Houthis as a bigger threat than the proliferation of AQAP. The report also revealed that hundreds of AQAP members had been recruited by coalition-backed militias due their reputation as exceptional fighters. AQAP membership within the coalition had gotten to the point where it was difficult to discern who was and wasn't AQAP.<ref name=":37">{{Cite web |last1=Michael |first1=Maggie |last2=Wilson |first2=Trish |last3=Keath |first3=Lee |date=2018-08-07 |title=AP Investigation: US allies, al-Qaida battle rebels in Yemen |url=https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-united-states-ap-top-news-middle-east-international-news-f38788a561d74ca78c77cb43612d50da |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919220231/https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-united-states-ap-top-news-middle-east-international-news-f38788a561d74ca78c77cb43612d50da |archive-date=2024-09-19 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
On 24 November, AQAP attacked a military base in Abyan utilizing small arms and RPGs, killing 5 soldiers and injuring one.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-24 |title=5 UAE soldiers killed in attack in Yemen |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181124-5-uae-soldiers-killed-in-attack-in-yemen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912191913/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181124-5-uae-soldiers-killed-in-attack-in-yemen/ |archive-date=2024-09-12 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Middle East Monitor}}</ref> Two days later, a U.S. drone strike attacked an AQAP hideout in [[Al Quraishyah District|al-Quraishyah district]], al-Bayda, killing 2 commanders and 4 members.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-11-26 |title=Suspected US drone strike kills 6 al-Qaida fighters in Yemen |url=https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2018/11/26/suspected-us-drone-strike-kills-6-al-qaida-fighters-in-yemen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928033003/https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2018/11/26/suspected-us-drone-strike-kills-6-al-qaida-fighters-in-yemen/ |archive-date=2024-09-28 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=CityNews Vancouver |language=en}}</ref>
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On 27 August, Saudi Arabian AQAP suicide bomber [[Abdullah al-Asiri]] attempted to assassinate [[House of Saud|Saudi prince]] [[Muhammad bin Nayef]] at a [[Ramadan]] gathering in his home in [[Jeddah]]. Asiri was sent to Saudi Arabia from Yemen, and had previously expressed his intention to turn himself in to Saudi authorities. Though Arisi was killed in the bombing, Nayef was only slightly injured. Abdullah al-Asiri was the brother of AQAP bombmaker Ibrahim al-Asiri, who had made the bomb used for the assassination.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-08-29 |title=Attempt on prince's life came from Yemen |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna32608911 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914235823/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna32608911 |archive-date=2024-09-14 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
In the aftermath of the [[2009 Fort Hood shooting|shooting at Fort Hood]], [[Texas]] on 5 November, the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]
On 25 December, Nigerian student [[Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab]] [[Northwest Airlines Flight 253|attempted to bomb Northwest Airlines Flight 253]] while it approached its destination in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]].<ref name="AQAPClaimsXmasAttempt">{{cite news |date=28 December 2009 |title=Detroit terror attack: al-Qaeda regional group claims responsibility |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6901918/Detroit-terror-attack-al-Qaeda-regional-group-claims-responsibility.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505065405/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6901918/Detroit-terror-attack-al-Qaeda-regional-group-claims-responsibility.html |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=2 April 2018 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London}}</ref> As it prepared to land, Abdulmutallab tried to detonate [[Pentaerythritol tetranitrate|PETN]] explosives attached to his underwear, but the device failed to detonate properly. AQAP took responsibility for the attempted bombing on 28 December, claiming that they supplied the explosives to the perpetrator from Yemen along with training and instructions to detonate it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-12-29 |title=Al Qaeda link investigated as clues emerge in foiled terror attack - CNN.com |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/12/28/airline.terror.attempt/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231031329/http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/12/28/airline.terror.attempt/index.html |archive-date=2009-12-31 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Abdulmutallab had previously travelled to Yemen multiple times before the incident, once in 2005 in order to study Arabic, and again in the fall of 2009, meeting with and likely planning the bombing with various AQAP members, including Anwar al-Awlaki.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kenton |first=Peter |date=2010-02-19 |title=Yemen A Turning Point For Christmas Bomb Suspect |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/02/19/123824057/yemen-a-turning-point-for-christmas-bomb-suspect |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228023231/https://www.npr.org/2010/02/19/123824057/yemen-a-turning-point-for-christmas-bomb-suspect |archive-date=2012-02-28 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=NPR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-01-07 |title=Plane 'plotter' met Yemen cleric |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8445454.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628082347/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8445454.stm |archive-date=2024-06-28 |access-date=2024-10-22 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== 2010 ===
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On 6 December, [[Saudi Arabia]]n Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani [[Naval Air Station Pensacola shooting|attacked Naval Air Station Pensacola]] in [[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]], [[Florida]], killing 3 U.S. Navy members and injuring 8 others before he was shot and killed. The gunman was a second lieutenant in the [[Royal Saudi Air Force]] and was undergoing flight training at the base. He had supposedly committed the shooting due to U.S. support for Israel and the United States being 'anti-Muslim'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-08 |title=FBI says it presumes naval base shooting was act of terrorism |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/florida-navy-base-shooting-1.5388680 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012931/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/florida-navy-base-shooting-1.5388680 |archive-date=2019-12-09 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=CBC}}</ref> AQAP released a message on 2 February 2020 claiming responsibility for the shooting.<ref>{{cite web |last=Joscelyn |first=Thomas |date=2020-02-03 |title=AQAP claims 'full responsibility' for shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/02/aqap-claims-full-responsibility-for-shooting-at-naval-air-station-pensacola.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203140344/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/02/aqap-claims-full-responsibility-for-shooting-at-naval-air-station-pensacola.php |archive-date=2020-02-03 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Long War Journal}}</ref> The FBI later corroborated these claims on 18 May after breaking into Alsharami's phone and uncovering significant connections between him and AQAP since 2015.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last1=Shortell |first1=David |last2=Perez |first2=Evan |date=2020-05-18 |title=FBI finds al Qaeda link after breaking encryption on Pensacola attacker's iPhone |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/18/politics/pensacola-shooting-al-qaeda/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603114946/https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/18/politics/pensacola-shooting-al-qaeda/index.html |archive-date=2020-06-03 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
== Media and Propaganda ==
AQAP had held a unique position in al-Qaeda, maintaining a leadership role in its propaganda network.<ref name=":13" /> AQAP's media wing is managed through its [[Al-Malahem Media|Al-Malahem Media Foundation]].<ref name=":11" /> The main component of their media wing is an Arabic [[online magazine]] known as ''Sada al-Malahem'' ({{langx|ar|صدى الملاحم|lit=Echoes of Battle}}).<ref name=":41">{{Cite news |last=Black |first=Ian |date=2010-07-01 |title=Al-Qaida puts celebrities and bombs online with Inspire magazine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/01/al-qaida-online-inspire-magazine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011212922/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/01/al-qaida-online-inspire-magazine |archive-date=2022-10-11 |access-date=2024-10-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Debuting in January 2008 and published in a [[bimonthly]] fashion, the magazine is designed specifically to appeal broadly to Yemenis beyond class, tribe and regional identity.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":40" /><ref name=":39" /> Their propaganda utilizes a "diagnosis" and "prognostic" framework in order to exploit the grievances of Yemenis, typically young males, and allocate blame as well as provide a clear answer to the issue.<ref name=":40" /> The "diagnosis" of the issue is aligned with the ideology of AQAP and al-Qaeda, though intertwined with the local issues in Yemen, leading to a local and global theme which both address the "far enemy", the United States, and the "near enemy", the local Arab governments who are propped up by it. Among these global issues include the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict|Israeli-Palestinian conflict]] and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,<ref name=":39" /> while local issues usually focus on corruption, poverty, inadequate service provision and inequities in natural resource allocation. The group has also provided commentary on the [[Southern Movement|Southern movement]] and [[Houthi insurgency]], the former in a supportive though opportunistic manner in order to gather support from southern tribes, and latter in a hostile, sectarian manner.<ref name=":40" /> After defining the issue, the "prognostic" section usually advocates for jihad against the United States and the Arab governments as the answer to it.<ref name=":40" />
=== Inspire ===
{{Main|Inspire (magazine)}}
In July 2010, AQAP launched '''''Inspire''''', an English-language magazine targeted to Muslim audience in the Western world who cannot understand Arabic.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Lemieux |first=Tony |last2=Brachman |first2=Jarret |last3=Levitt |first3=Jason |last4=Wood |first4=Jay |year=2014 |title=Inspire Magazine: A Critical Analysis of its Significance and Potential Impact Through the Lens of the Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills Model |url=https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=communication_facpub |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401052317/https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=communication_facpub |archive-date=2024-04-01 |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Georgia State University}}</ref><ref name=":11" /> The magazine features guides and instructions on how to conduct [[Lone wolf attack|lone wolf]] terrorist attacks in the West, as well as general AQAP propaganda and bylines from prominent al-Qaeda figures such as Osama Bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.<ref name=":41" /> According to its late creator, editor and publisher [[Samir Khan]], the magazine 'Tackle['s] issues that are not only happening abroad in the [[Muslim world]], but also focus[es] on domestic issues pertinent to the Muslim community in the West', in addition to rehabilitating the image of AQAP and providing commentary on current issues and events.<ref name=":42" /> ''Inspire'' has been described as "a streamlined and seamless fusion of ideologically-driven material with pragmatic instructional and skillbuilding content." with the goal of motivating terrorism and providing readers with easy ways to conduct their own attacks, evident by each article featuring a section titled "Open Source Jihad."<ref name=":42" /><ref name=":46">{{Cite web |date=2015-09-15 |title=Drone Strike That Killed Awlaki 'Did Not Silence Him,' Journalist Says |url=https://www.npr.org/2015/09/14/440215976/journalist-says-the-drone-strike-that-killed-awlaki-did-not-silence-him |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719132335/https://www.npr.org/2015/09/14/440215976/journalist-says-the-drone-strike-that-killed-awlaki-did-not-silence-him |archive-date=2024-07-19 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=NPR}}</ref> Critics and viewers have noted its difference in tone and design to other AQAP media such as ''Sala al-Mahalem'', with an approach more oriented towards youth in the United States and other Western nations through its modern look and use of [[Colloquialism|colloquial]] English as well as [[Popular culture|pop culture]] references.<ref name=":39" /><ref name=":42" /> Reception to the magazine's first issue was largely skeptikal from online jihadists due to its foreign presentation as well as technical issues, though opinions eventually grew more positive later on, with each issues amassing thousands of views and downloads on Islamist [[Internet forum|forums]] by 2014.<ref name=":41" /><ref name=":42" />
=== Anwar al-Awlaki ===
[[File:Anwar al-Awlaki sitting on couch, lightened.jpg|thumb|240x240px|Anwar al-Awlaki.]]
{{Main|Anwar al-Awlaki}}
'''Anwar al-Awlaki''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: أنور العولقي, <small>[[Romanization of Arabic|romanized]]:</small> ''Anwar al-'Awlaqī''; April 21 or 22, 1971 – September 30, 2011) was a Yemeni-American preacher who served as AQAP's "leader of external operations" according to the United States government.<ref name=":47">{{Cite news |date=2011-09-30 |title=Islamist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki killed in Yemen |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15121879 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409083131/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15121879 |archive-date=2024-04-09 |access-date=2024-10-22 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Born in [[New Mexico]] in 1971, he became a part time imam at a mosque in [[Denver]], [[Colorado]], eventually becoming the imam of [[Dar Al-Hijrah|Dar al-Hijrah mosque]] in 2000, where his popularity grew exponentially over the years.<ref name=":48">{{Cite web |last=Shane |first=Scott |date=2015-08-27 |title=The Lessons of Anwar al-Awlaki |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-lessons-of-anwar-al-awlaki.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221125238/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-lessons-of-anwar-al-awlaki.html |archive-date=2023-12-21 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> During his tenure, [[Nawaf al-Hazmi|Nawaz al-Hazmi]] and [[Khalid al-Mihdhar]], two [[Hijackers in the September 11 attacks|hijackers]] in the September 11 attacks, attended his mosque for prayers, leading to the FBI starting an extensive investigation on him. While he originally condemned the attacks and was overall supportive of the United States, his opinion on the country soured by 2002 after the FBI conducted various raids on Islamic institutions in [[Northern Virginia|North Virginia]] and he discovered their investigation against him.<ref name=":48" /><ref name=":49">{{Cite news |date=2010-10-30 |title=Obituary: Anwar al-Awlaki |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11658920 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628082343/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11658920 |archive-date=2024-06-28 |access-date=2024-10-22 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Awlaki later moved to [[London]], and in 2004, he moved to Yemen and became a lecturer at [[al-Iman University]]. He was detained by Yemeni authorities without trial in 2006, and released in 2007. After his release, Awlaki began openly advocating for violent jihad against the United States and non-Muslims.<ref name=":48" /><ref name=":49" />
Awlaki has been referred to as the most popular English recruiter for al-Qaeda and jihadism in general, even after his death.<ref name=":46" /> Among his methods of output included a [[Blog|web blog]], a [[Facebook]] page, booklets, CD's, audio recordings, online lectures, magazines and videos among others, which would then be spread across the internet, [[YouTube]], and on Islamist forums.<ref name=":49" /><ref name=":50">{{Cite web |last=Windrem |first=Robert |date=2015-07-25 |title=Dead Cleric Anwar al-Awlaki Still Sways Terror Wannabes |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dead-cleric-anwar-al-awlaki-still-sways-terror-wannabes-n397506 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313201307/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dead-cleric-anwar-al-awlaki-still-sways-terror-wannabes-n397506 |archive-date=2024-03-13 |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":51">{{Cite web |last=Shane |first=Scott |last2=Mekhennet |first2=Souad |date=2010-05-08 |title=Imam’s Path From Condemning Terror to Preaching Jihad |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329001838/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html |archive-date=2024-03-29 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> According to ''[[The New York Times]]'', Awlaki utilized a combination of "scripture and vitriol", a captivating character and oration style, as well as an advanced knowledge and usage of [[Internet|the internet]] in order to promote violent extremism to Muslim youth in the West.<ref name=":51" /> Analysts have frequently noted Awlaki's fluency in [[American English]] as well as Arabic, allowing him to maintain a "dual identity" which balanced religious legitimacy and relatability.<ref name=":51" /><ref name=":52">{{Cite web |last=Heffelfinger |first=Christopher |last2=Shane |first2=Scott |last3=Boucek |first3=Christopher |date=2010-06-01 |title=The Rise of Anwar al-Awlaki |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/events/2010/06/the-rise-of-anwar-al-awlaki?lang=en |url-status=live |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |language=en}}</ref> Also commonly noted is his signature passive and soft demeanor, giving him a down-to-earth and relatable persona as opposed to more brutal and outwardly violent al-Qaeda figureheads such as [[Abu Musab al-Zarqawi]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-07 |title=Yemen: Nigerian may have met radical cleric |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna34748012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116222304/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna34748012 |archive-date=2021-01-16 |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Awlaki headed the proliferation of a personalized, "do-it-yourself" type of jihad, where he encouraged followers to conduct lone wolf attacks in their home country. He was heavily involved with the production of ''Inspire'', writing an article for the magazine's debut issue.<ref name=":46" /><ref name=":50" /><ref name=":41" />
On 6 April 2010, the United States government authorized the [[targeted killing]] of Awlaki. This had come after numerous terrorist attacks in the country had been shown to have had connections to him, including the Fort Hood shooting and the attempted bombing of Northwest Airlines Flight 253, both from the previous year.<ref name=":23" /><ref name=":49" /> On 16 July 2010, he was placed on the list of [[Specially Designated Global Terrorist|Specially Designated Global Terrorists]], with U.S. officials stating that he had pledged allegiance to AQAP and was officially a part of the organization.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-07-16 |title=US puts Muslim cleric on terror blacklist |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-10669422 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910115337/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-10669422 |archive-date=2017-09-10 |access-date=2024-10-22 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The United States permitted the targeting of Awlaki on the grounds that he was a recruiter and chief of external operations for AQAP, who actively partook in the planning of attacks that would 'murder innocent Americans.'<ref name=":23" /><ref name=":47" /> This position has been a source of controversy, with some maintaining that Awlaki was more likely playing a non formal role within the group.<ref name=":52" /><ref name=":24" /> Awlaki would eventually be killed in a U.S. drone strike on 30 September 2011 while entering a [[pickup truck]] five other with other AQAP members, including ''Inspire'' editor Samir Khan.<ref name=":24" /> Commentators have noted that Awlaki's killing had allowed him to achieve a "martyrdom" status among Islamists, with his media still receiving attention years after his death and numerous Islamic terrorists having been known to possess his propaganda, such as [[Dzhokhar Tsarnaev|Dzhokhar]] and [[Tamerlan Tsarnaev]], who committed the [[Boston Marathon bombing|2013 Boston Marathon bombing]].<ref name=":46" /><ref name=":48" />
=== Other media organizations ===
AQAP maintains multiple other media organizations with both direct and indirect connections to them. ''Al-Marsa'' is an AQAP [[newspaper]] launched in January 2016, running a total of 57 issues.<ref name=":43">{{Cite web |last=Kendall |first=Elisabeth |date=2016-05-03 |title=How can al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula be defeated? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/05/03/how-can-al-qaeda-in-the-arabian-peninsula-be-defeated/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706051717/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/05/03/how-can-al-qaeda-in-the-arabian-peninsula-be-defeated/ |archive-date=2022-07-06 |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref name=":44">{{Cite web |last=Kendall |first=Elisabeth |date=2022-01-11 |title=The war for hearts and minds: the evolution of al-Qaeda’s media strategy |url=https://engelsbergideas.com/essays/the-war-for-hearts-and-minds-the-evolution-of-al-qaedas-media-strategy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229125859/https://engelsbergideas.com/essays/the-war-for-hearts-and-minds-the-evolution-of-al-qaedas-media-strategy/ |archive-date=2024-02-29 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Engelsberg Ideas |language=}}</ref> The newspaper, published through [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]], covers updates on the entire al-Qaeda network, as well as standard coverage of various world events such as the [[shooting of Alton Sterling]] and the [[assassination of Jamal Khashoggi]].<ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Watkinson |first=William |date=2016-07-08 |title=Al-Qaeda has used the Alton Sterling police shooting in latest magazine, say SITE |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/al-qaeda-uses-alton-sterling-police-shooting-latest-magazine-say-site-1569533?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rss&utm_content=/rss/yahoous/news&yptr=yahoo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008164402/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/al-qaeda-uses-alton-sterling-police-shooting-latest-magazine-say-site-1569533?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rss&utm_content=/rss/yahoous/news&yptr=yahoo |archive-date=2024-10-08 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=International Business Times UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Joscelyn |first=Thomas |date=2018-11-30 |title=Al Qaeda tries to capitalize on Saudi controversy |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/11/al-qaeda-tries-to-capitalize-on-saudi-controversy.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610190812/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/11/al-qaeda-tries-to-capitalize-on-saudi-controversy.php |archive-date=2024-06-10 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=FDD's Long War Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> Though the paper was initially meant to be released multiple times per month, hostile pressure on AQAP eventually led to it not releasing an issue since July 2017. ''Al-Masra'' eventually returned on 28 November, 2018, publishing a 58th issue and announcing their reformation as a 'periodical.'<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-29 |title=Al-Qaeda-linked newspaper reappears after more than a year |url=https://monitoring.bbc.co.uk/product/c200gcoj |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=BBC Monitoring}}</ref> Since then, the newspaper has been dormant. Also in January 2016, Ansar al-Sharia announced the creation of their own media outlet, ''Wikalat al-Athir''. The network would publish pro-AQAP and Ansar al-Sharia media glorifying their contributions to various areas they governed, such as "repairing schools, building roads, funding hospitals, connecting electricity and water, dispensing aid, mending fishing nets and solving land disputes."<ref name=":43" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-04 |title=Gulf of Aden Security Review - March 4, 2016 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-march-4-2016#_edn166881ebac5eb9700066876ad9901fa62 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419123122/https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-march-4-2016#_edn166881ebac5eb9700066876ad9901fa62 |archive-date=2024-04-19 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Critical Threats}}</ref> In May 2018, al-Badr Media Foundation, a pro-AQAP media outlet, announced its presence online.<ref name=":45" /> The group stated that its mission is to support AQAP by dispelling rumours about the group purported by Western and Arab media, encourage people to join AQAP, and increase "security awareness" within the group.<ref name=":11" /> Its first release on 24 May was a [[PDF]] detailing how to avoid detection and assassination from drone strikes.<ref name=":45" /><ref name=":44" />
== Funding ==
AQAP has maintained various sources of income at different points throughout its history. According to the U.S. Department of State, 'AQAP’s funding primarily comes from robberies and kidnap for ransom operations, and donations from like-minded supporters (specifically from Saudi Arabia).''''<ref name=":35" />'''<ref name=":1" /> The group began heavily utilizing kidnappings for ransom as a strategy after 2011, reportedly generating $20 million or $30 million in ransom payments for European hostages by 2013.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":11" /> In 2017, Yemeni officials estimated that AQAP spends about $10 million annually to maintain operations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=David |first=Javier E. |date=2017-07-31 |title=Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said to be flush with cash and positioned to launch new attacks |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/31/al-qaeda-in-arabian-peninsula-said-to-be-flush-with-cash-and-positioned-to-launch-new-attacks.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901063149/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/31/al-qaeda-in-arabian-peninsula-said-to-be-flush-with-cash-and-positioned-to-launch-new-attacks.html |archive-date=2022-09-01 |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>
The outbreak of the Yemeni civil war and subsequent government and coalition ignorance towards AQAP allowed the group to significantly bolster it's finances. AQAP was able to gain money through bank robbing and seaport control for smuggling routes.<ref name=":33" /> The highlight of their financial gain was through their occupation of Mukalla from 2015 to 2016, which a UAE official described as 'al-Qaeda’s lungs' as well as being called the equivalent to the Islamic State's former Syrian capital, [[Raqqa]].<ref name=":33" /><ref name=":38">{{Cite web |last=Bayoumy |first=Yara |last2=Browning |first2=Noah |last3=Ghobari |first3=Mohammed |date=2016-04-08 |editor-last=Robinson |editor-first=Simon |editor2-last=Rohde |editor2-first=David |title=How Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen has made al Qaeda stronger – and richer |url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/yemen-aqap/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201102941/https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/yemen-aqap/ |archive-date=2023-12-01 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Reuters |place=Dubai/Cairo}}</ref> During the initial battle in April 2015, AQAP looted the central bank in the city, seizing an estimated $100 million; enough money to fund their operations for ten years according to a Yemeni official.<ref name=":38" /> The [[port of Mukalla]] provided AQAP with a significant source of income in the form of fuel smuggling, where hundreds of oil trucks would arrive at the port to pick up and transport fuel across the country.<ref name=":36" /> Through imposing taxes and custom tariffs on shippers and traders, AQAP reportedly earned up to $2 million to $5 million through Mukalla daily.<ref name=":38" /><ref name=":10" /> Attempting to legitimize their endeavors as a [[Sovereign state|de-facto]] [[quasi-state]], in October 2015 AQAP attempted to sign a deal with the Yemeni government allowing them to [[export]] oil through the port while receiving 25% of the profit, though it was immediately rejected.<ref name=":38" /> AQAP utilized extortion against state firms during their occupation, such as in January 2016 when they demanded $4.7 million from Yemen's national oil company, receiving $1.4 million.<ref name=":38" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zavis |first=Alexandra |date=2018-10-10 |title=Mukalla is an oasis of stability in war-torn Yemen. So why do some residents miss Al Qaeda? |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-yemen-al-qaeda-20181010-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227015225/https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-yemen-al-qaeda-20181010-story.html |archive-date=2024-02-27 |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The loss of Mukalla in April 2016 constituted a significant blow to AQAP's funding, though AQAP was allowed to keep their loot from the city in a deal with the government.<ref name=":33" /><ref name=":37" />
An ''Associated Press'' investigation from 2018 suggested that the Yemeni government and Saudi-led coalition had been outright paying AQAP to leave certain areas in order to claim them as military victories.<ref name=":37" /> According to the security chief of Shabwah, AQAP fighters were paid to withdraw from [[As Said District|al-Said district]], their base in the governorate, as the UAE and coalition began an offensive which targeted the district in February 2018. A reported 200 AQAP members were paid off by the coalition, including a senior member who was paid $26,000. According to a mediator in the deal, the coalition had offered $5 million to AQAP and $13,000 to each individual fighter who left.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Maggie |date=2018-08-06 |title=Details of deals between US-backed coalition, Yemen al-Qaida |url=https://apnews.com/article/al-qaida-middle-east-ali-abdullah-saleh-yemen-dirty-war-al-qaida-in-the-arabian-peninsula-69aea38d9d604071a8d44efc9962ea1a |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523104602/https://apnews.com/article/al-qaida-middle-east-ali-abdullah-saleh-yemen-dirty-war-al-qaida-in-the-arabian-peninsula-69aea38d9d604071a8d44efc9962ea1a |archive-date=2024-05-23 |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
== Ansar al-Sharia ==
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== U.S. operations ==
{{Main|Drone strikes in Yemen}}{{See also|Targeted killing}}[[File:MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft.jpg|thumb|A [[US Air Force|U.S. Air Force]] [[General Atomics MQ-1 Predator|MQ-1 Predator]] drone.]]
Since 2009, the United States has led a [[Drone strikes in Yemen|drone campaign]] against AQAP, targeting both prominent leaders and lower-tier members. Though the first drone strike against an al-Qaeda group in Yemen was conducted by the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]] in 2002, it was not until 2009 when President [[Barack Obama]] began the officially campaign. Obama's decision was influenced by both the [[2009 Fort Hood shooting|Fort Hood shooting]] in November 2009 and the [[Northwest Airlines Flight 253|attempted bombing of Northwest Airlines flight 253]] in December 2009, the latter which was directly conducted by AQAP.<ref name=":31">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-26 |title=The War in Yemen |url=https://www.newamerica.org/future-security/reports/americas-counterterrorism-wars/the-war-in-yemen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913192543/https://www.newamerica.org/future-security/reports/americas-counterterrorism-wars/the-war-in-yemen/ |archive-date=2024-09-13 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=New America |language=en}}</ref> The first attack in the drone campaign was an airstrike on an [[Al-Majalah camp attack|AQAP camp in al-Majalah]] on 17 December 2009. The attack reportedly killed 55 people; 14 AQAP fighters and 41 civilians.<ref name="New Yorker" /> The U.S. intensified drone strikes in 2011 as AQAP gained significant ground in the backdrop of the Yemeni revolution.<ref name=":31" /> A drone strike on 30 September 2011 killed prominent American-Yemeni cleric [[Anwar al-Awlaki]].<ref name=":22" /> The U.S. government placed Awlaki on a [[Disposition Matrix|CIA kill list]] and froze his assets a year before, accusing him of inciting and directing multiple terror plots in the United States.<ref name=":23" /> The attack had also killed [[Samir Khan]], an American citizen from Saudi Arabia who was the main editor and publisher of AQAP's magazine, ''Inspire''.<ref name=":24" /> U.S. drone strikes peaked in 2012 as in the same year the Obama administration approved the usage of "signature" strikes; the killing of individuals who exhibit "terrorist behaviour" of some sort.<ref name=":31" /><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bergen |first1=Peter |last2=Rowland |first2=Jennifer |date=2012-06-11 |title=Obama ramps up covert war in Yemen |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/06/11/opinion/bergen-yemen-drone-war/index.html |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Drone strikes decreased through 2014 but re-escalated in 2015 following the breakout of the Yemeni civil war and AQAP's vast seizure of territory.<ref name=":31" /> A drone strike on 16 June 2015 killed AQAP leader Nasser al-Wuhayshi.<ref name=":15" />
The [[Presidency of Donald Trump|administration of Donald Trump]] further expanded the drone campaign upon his inauguration in 2017. Trump loosened the [[rules of engagement]] concerning American operations and labeled three governorates in Yemen as "areas of active hostilities".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Savage |first1=Charlie |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |date=2017-03-12 |title=Trump Administration Is Said to Be Working to Loosen Counterterrorism Rules |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/12/us/politics/trump-loosen-counterterrorism-rules.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008013131/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/12/us/politics/trump-loosen-counterterrorism-rules.html |archive-date=2024-10-08 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> From 2–6 March 2017, the U.S. conducted 25-40 drone strikes across Yemen targeting AQAP.<ref name=":31" /> In 2019 Trump an executive order set by Obama requiring the publishing of civilian deaths in a drone strike.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-03-07 |title=Trump revokes Obama rule on reporting drone strike deaths |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47480207 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009214836/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47480207 |archive-date=2024-10-09 |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> According to UK-based [[Watchdog journalism|watchdog]] group [[Airwars]], 'From mid 2019 onwards, covert and clandestine actions in Yemen appear to have dominated US engagements.',<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |last=Ryan |first=Missy |date=2020-10-28 |title=Trump administration increased strikes and raids in Yemen, watchdog finds |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/us-airstrikes-yemen-civilian-deaths/2020/10/27/97016ce0-1856-11eb-bb35-2dcfdab0a345_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211014128/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/us-airstrikes-yemen-civilian-deaths/2020/10/27/97016ce0-1856-11eb-bb35-2dcfdab0a345_story.html |archive-date=2020-12-11 |access-date=2024-10-14 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> though the official number of drone strikes in 2019 was considerably lower than that of previous years. The reduction in drone strikes continued into 2020 as the Trump administration seemed to shift away from counter-terrorism as a primary focus of [[Foreign policy of the United States|U.S. foreign policy]].<ref name=":31" /><ref name=":32" /> Despite this, the drone campaign continued to significantly affect AQAP's operational capacity, such as with a drone strike on 31 January 2020 which killed AQAP leader Qasim al-Raymi.<ref name=":30" /> The [[Presidency of Joe Biden|Joe Biden administration]] further de-escalated the drone campaign, revolking Yemen's classification as a "theater of active armed conflict" in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sterman |first=David |date=2022-12-14 |title=The State of America's Drone Wars in 2022 |url=https://www.newamerica.org/future-security/blog/the-state-of-americas-drone-wars-in-2022/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615035108/https://www.newamerica.org/future-security/blog/the-state-of-americas-drone-wars-in-2022/ |archive-date=2024-06-15 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=New America |language=en}}</ref> The most recent drone strike reportedly conducted by the U.S. was on 26 February 2023.<ref name=":31" /> According to [[New America (organization)|New America]], the drone campaign has killed over 1,000 people,<ref name=":31" /> and has 'weakened the organization's [AQAP's] ability to maintain its internal cohesion' according to [[Armed Conflict Location and Event Data|ACLED]].<ref name=":2" /> Critics of the drone campaign have argued that drone strikes have increased [[anti-Americanism]] and anti-government sentiment in the local populace of Yemen and has helped AQAP in gaining recruits.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":10" />
In addition to drone strikes, the U.S. has conducted several ground raids against AQAP, mostly utilizing [[SEAL Team Six|DEVGRU]] [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEALs]]. On 26 November 2014, DEVGRU collaborated with Yemeni special forces [[2014 hostage rescue operations in Yemen|in a hostage rescue mission]] to free American journalist [[Luke Somers]], along with multiple other hostages held by AQAP. The mission took place in northern Hadhramaut, along the border with Saudi Arabia. The team engaged AQAP in a firefight near a cave housing the hostages, killing seven militants. The raid rescued eight hostages of various nationalities, but they did not include Somers, who was moved to another area alongside four other hostages days before the raid.<ref name=":25" /> Later in December, AQAP published a video threatening to kill Somers within 72 hours of its release. [[2014 hostage rescue operations in Yemen#Second raid|Another rescue mission]] subsequently occurred on 6 December 2014 in southern Shabwah.
On 29 January 2017, DEVGRU conducted [[Raid on Yakla|a raid]] in al-Ghayil, a town in the Yakla region of al-Bayda. The raid was authorized in order to collect key AQAP documents and information, as well as the possibility of neutralizing AQAP leader [[Qasim al-Raymi]], whom UAE intelligence suggested could be present. Originally meant to be unexpected, AQAP prematurely detected the SEALs, eventually leading to a heavy firefight in the village which claimed the life of [[William Owens (Navy SEAL)|
== Senior leaders and members ==
Line 539 ⟶ 569:
| '''[[Sa'ad bin Atef al-Awlaki]]''' || [[Emir]] and former military commander ||
*Succeeded Khalid Batarfi as leader of AQAP since March 2024.<ref name=":20" />
*Emir of Shabwah
|-
|'''Ammar al-San’ani'''
Line 546 ⟶ 577:
|-
| '''[[Ibrahim al-Banna]]''' || Chief of security ||
*
* Reportedly was AQAP media chief until at least 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-10-15 |title=US drone strike kills 9 al-Qaida militants in Yemen, clashes in Sanaa leaves 12 dead |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/yemen-says-media-chief-for-al-qaidas-yemeni-branch-killed-along-with-6-others-in-airstrike/2011/10/15/gIQAzogalL_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015221745/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/yemen-says-media-chief-for-al-qaidas-yemeni-branch-killed-along-with-6-others-in-airstrike/2011/10/15/gIQAzogalL_story.html |archive-date=2011-10-15 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=The Washington Post}}</ref>
* Founding member of AQAP and provides military and security guidance to AQAP leadership.<ref name="Ibrahim al-Banna">{{cite web |title=Ibrahim al-Banna |url=http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/ibrahim_al_banna.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214173925/https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/ibrahim_al_banna.html |archive-date=14 December 2018 |access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|'''Abdullah Mubarak'''
|Religious leader
|
* Appointed as shari'a official in October 2017.<ref name=":21" /><ref name=":45">{{Cite web |last=Joscelyn |first=Thomas |date=2018-05-26 |title=Analysis: AQAP remains under pressure |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/05/analysis-aqap-remains-under-pressure.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007175527/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/05/analysis-aqap-remains-under-pressure.php |archive-date=2024-10-07 |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=FDD's Long War Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Succeeded [[Ibrahim Sulayman Muhammad al-Rubaysh|Ibrahim al-Rubaysh]], who was killed in April 2015.<ref name=":21" />
|-
| '''[[Ibrahim al Qosi]]''' || Senior sharia official ||
* AQAP spokesperson and shura council member.
* Joined AQAP in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joscelyn |first=Thomas |date=2015-12-09 |title=Ex-Guantanamo detainee now an al Qaeda leader in Yemen |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/12/ex-guantanamo-detainee-now-an-al-qaeda-leader-in-yemen.php |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=FDD's Long War Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Detained at Guantanamo Bay from January 2002 to July 2012 before being transferred to Sudan as part of a plea bargain.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-07 |title=The Guantánamo Docket |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/guantanamo-bay-detainees.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007003436/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/guantanamo-bay-detainees.html#detainee-54 |archive-date=2024-10-07 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>
|}
Line 567 ⟶ 598:
! Name || Position || Situation
|-
| '''[[Nasir al-Wuhayshi]]'''{{KIA}} ||
* Founder and former emir of AQAP from 2009 to 2015.<ref name=":16" />
* Deputy Emir and general manager of [[al-Qaeda]].<ref name=":16" />
*Killed in a drone strike in June 2015.<ref name=":15" />
|-
| '''[[Qasim al-Raymi]]'''{{KIA}} ||
* Succeeded Nasir al-Wuhayshi as leader of AQAP from 2015 to 2020.<ref name=":30" />
*
* In 2007, he and AQAP leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi announced the emergence of al-Qaeda in Yemen (AQY), 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 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130201648/https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/qasim_al_rimi.html |archive-date=30 January 2019 |access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref>
* Killed in a drone strike in late January 2020.<ref name=":30" />
|-
| '''[[Khalid Batarfi]]'''{{tooltip|#|died of unknown cause}} ||
* Succeeded Qasim al-Raymi as leader of AQAP from 2020 to 2024.<ref name=":34">{{Cite web |last=Gambrell |first=Jon |date=2024-03-11 |title=Al-Qaida's Yemen branch says leader Khalid al-Batarfi dead in unclear circumstances |url=https://apnews.com/article/yemen-al-qaida-leader-dies-b96205a1ac2faaca4bfa3104ef8088e6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613074414/https://apnews.com/article/yemen-al-qaida-leader-dies-b96205a1ac2faaca4bfa3104ef8088e6 |archive-date=2024-06-13 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
* Joined AQAP in 2010, becoming the regional emir of [[Abyan Governorate|Abyan]] and leading its takeover in 2011.<ref name=":34" />
* Captured by Yemeni authorities in 2011.
* Freed in 2015 during the [[Battle of Mukalla (2016)|battle of Mukalla]], where he would then be appointed emir of Hadhramaut from 2015 to 2020.<ref name=":34" />
* Died in March 2024.<ref name=":34" />
|-
|'''[[Said Ali al-Shihri]]'''{{KIA}}
|Deputy emir
|
* Deputy
*
*Killed in a drone strike in July 2013.<ref name=":304">{{cite web
|-
|'''[[Ibrahim Sulayman Muhammad al-Rubaysh]]'''{{KIA}}
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|
* Explosives expert and weapons specialists for AQAP.<ref>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/03/158911.htm Department of State's Terrorist Designation of Ibrahim Hassan Tali Al-Asiri] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716035935/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/03/158911.htm|date=2020-07-16}}, [[U.S. Department of State]], 24 March 2011</ref><ref name="SaudiGazette2009-08-31">{{cite news |author=Abdullah Al-Oreifij |date=1 September 2009 |title=Suicide bomber named |url=http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009083148387 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906081305/http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009083148387 |archive-date=6 September 2009 |access-date=2 August 2009 |work=[[Saudi Gazette]]}}</ref>
*Reported to have been responsible for making the bombs used by his brother [[Abdullah al-Asiri]] in his suicide bombing, the [[Northwest Airlines Flight 253|attempted bombing of Northwest Airlines flight 253 in 2009]], the [[2010 cargo plane bomb plot]], and
* Killed in a drone strike in late 2017.
|-
|'''[[Anwar al-Awlaki]]'''{{KIA}}
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* Senior recruiter and involved in organizing external operations to be conducted for AQAP.<ref name="att">{{Cite news |last=Cardona |first=Felisa |date=3 December 2009 |title=U.S. attorney defends dropping radical cleric's case in 2002 |url=http://www.denverpost.com/technology/ci_13914150 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225080153/https://www.denverpost.com/2009/12/02/u-s-attorney-defends-dropping-radical-clerics-case-in-2002/ |archive-date=25 December 2018 |access-date=7 December 2009 |newspaper=[[The Denver Post]]}}</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 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207034358/http://blog.adl.org/extremism/boston-marathon-bombers-inspired-by-anwar-al-awlaki |archive-date=2016-12-07 |access-date=2015-01-15 |publisher=Anti-Defamation League}}</ref><ref name="sofrep.com">{{cite web |date=October 2012 |title=Getting to Know al-Qaeda – Part II: AQAP |url=http://sofrep.com/12282/getting-to-know-al-qaeda-part-ii-aqap/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225080142/https://thenewsrep.com/12282/getting-to-know-al-qaeda-part-ii-aqap/ |archive-date=25 December 2018 |access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref>
* Killed in a drone strike in September 2011.<ref name=":24" />
|-
|'''[[Samir Khan]]'''{{KIA}}
|Editor and publisher of Inspire magazine
|
* Editor and publisher of ''Inspire
* Killed in a drone strike in September 2011.<ref name=":24" />
|-
|'''[[Nasser bin Ali al-Ansi]]{{KIA}}'''
Line 641 ⟶ 672:
* Killed in a drone strike in April 2012.<ref name=":14" />
|-
|'''[[Fahd al-Quso|Fahed al-Quso]]'''{{KIA}}
|Operational commander
|
Line 665 ⟶ 696:
|Field commander
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*
*Surrendered to Saudi authorities in Yemen in February 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iv6J77Kd-3UaF2UVo-2bmBepx9eQ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124190307/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iv6J77Kd-3UaF2UVo-2bmBepx9eQ |archive-date=2013-01-24 |access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref>
|-
Line 671 ⟶ 702:
|Field commander
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* Leader of Ansar al-Sharia from 2011 to 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dearden |first=Lizzie |date=2016-02-04 |title=The Al-Qaeda leader in Yemen 'has been killed' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/alqaeda-leader-in-yemen-jalal-baleedi-killed-in-drone-strike-a6852636.html |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>
* Field commander of AQAP in Abyan, Shabwa, Lahij, Hadhramaut, and al-Bayda governorates.<ref name=":17" />
* Joined AQAP in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Al-Moshki |first=Ali Ibrahim |date=2014-08-14 |title=Who is Jalal Baleedi? |url=https://yementimes.com/en/1807/news/4202/Who-is-Jalal-Baleedi.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814225838/https://yementimes.com/en/1807/news/4202/Who-is-Jalal-Baleedi.htm |archive-date=2014-08-14 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Yemen Times}}</ref>
* Killed in a drone strike in February 2016.<ref name=":17" />
|}
== See also ==
*[[Ansar al-Sharia (Yemen)]]
*[[Al-Malahem Media]]
*[[Inspire (magazine)|''Inspire'' (magazine)]]
*[[Drone strikes in Yemen]]
*[[List of armed groups in the Yemeni civil war]]
*[[:Category:Terrorist incidents attributed to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula|Terrorist incidents attributed to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula]]
== References ==
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