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Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula: Difference between revisions

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Restructured members table to "current leaders" and "former leaders" for increased clarity, removed transformation section as its mostly redundant
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146 edits
Further restructuring of members table
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On 7 January, an AQAP car bomb [[January 2015 Sanaa bombing|exploded]] outside of a police academy in Sana'a, killing at least 37 people and injuring 66 others.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-01-07 |title=Yemen bomb blast kills dozens near Sanaa police academy |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30706208 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427212806/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30706208 |archive-date=2024-04-27 |access-date=2024-09-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
 
On 5 February, AQAP announced the death of senior Sharia cleric [[Harith bin Ghazi al-Nadhari|Harith al-Nadhari]] to a U.S. drone strike on 31 January. Al-Nadhari was killed while travelling in a vehicle in Shabwah along with 3 other AQAP members.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |date=2015-02-05 |title=AQAP says senior leader Harith an-Nadhari killed in drone strike in Yemen |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/aqap-says-senior-leader-harith-nadhari-killed-drone-strike-yemen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706153601/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/aqap-says-senior-leader-harith-nadhari-killed-drone-strike-yemen/ |archive-date=2024-07-06 |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
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>
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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>
 
On 7 May, AQAP released a message announcing the death of [[Nasser bin Ali al-Ansi]], who had been killed on 21–22 April from a U.S. drone strike in Mukalla along with 6 other AQAP members. The senior military strategist was in a vehicle parked next to the presidential palace when he was killed. Al-Ansi had appeared in multiple AQAP messages, including videos announcing the ransom and death of Luke Somers, and a video claiming responsibility for the [[Charlie Hebdo shooting|''Charlie Hebdo'' shooting]].<ref name=":19">{{Cite news |last= |date=2015-05-07 |title=Al-Qaida in Yemen says US drone killed man who claimed Charlie Hebdo attack |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/07/yemen-al-qaida-droke-strike-charlie-hebdo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913163407/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/07/yemen-al-qaida-droke-strike-charlie-hebdo |archive-date=2024-09-13 |access-date=2024-09-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
 
On 16 June, AQAP announced the death of leader Nasser al-Wuhayshi from a U.S. drone strike on 11–12 June, along with 2 other militants. The White House labeled Wuhayshi's death a "major blow" to AQAP and the most significant loss in al-Qaeda's leadership since the [[Killing of Osama bin Laden|killing of Osama Bin Laden]] in 2011. At the time of his death, Wuhayshi was essentially second-in-command of al-Qaeda, only behind Ayman al-Zawahiri, and was the main facilitator between all of al-Qaeda's affiliates and their allies. [[Qasim al-Raymi]] was announced to be his successor.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Dawber |first=Alistair |date=2015-06-16 |title=Death of al-Qaeda leader Nasser al-Wuhayshi in US drone strike in Yemen a 'major blow' to Aqap, says White House |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/death-of-alqaeda-leader-nasser-alwuhayshi-in-us-drone-strike-in-yemen-a-major-blow-to-aqap-says-white-house-10324489.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522175523/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/death-of-alqaeda-leader-nasser-alwuhayshi-in-us-drone-strike-in-yemen-a-major-blow-to-aqap-says-white-house-10324489.html |archive-date=2022-05-22 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=The Independent}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Boghani |first=Priyanka |date=2015-06-16 |title=Has the U.S. Killed the Most Important Al Qaeda Member Since Bin Laden? |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/has-the-u-s-killed-the-most-important-al-qaeda-member-since-bin-laden/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516061412/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/has-the-u-s-killed-the-most-important-al-qaeda-member-since-bin-laden/ |archive-date=2024-05-16 |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=PBS |language=en-US}}</ref>
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=== 2024 ===
In an announcement on 10 March, AQAP reported the death of emir Khalid Batarfi, along the selection of his successor [[Sa'ad bin Atef al-Awlaki]]. The announcement did not provide a cause as to how Batarfi died, leading to speculation that he had died by natural causes.<ref name=":20">{{Cite news |date=2024-03-11 |title=Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch announces death of leader Khalid Batarfi |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68533649 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801105144/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68533649 |archive-date=2024-08-01 |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref>
 
On 24 March, AQAP ambushed an STC patrol in Wadi Omran, triggering a firefight which killed 2 soldiers and wounded 4. The militants also burned the vehicle of the patrol group.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-25 |title=Al-Qaeda attack in Yemen kills 2 southern separatist fighters |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/yemen-al-qaeda-attack-kills-2-southern-separatist-fighters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816194905/https://www.newarab.com/news/yemen-al-qaeda-attack-kills-2-southern-separatist-fighters |archive-date=2024-08-16 |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=The New Arab}}</ref>
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== U.S. drone strikes ==
{{Main|Targeted killing}}
[[File:MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft.jpg|thumb|right|180px221x221px|US Air Force [[MQ-1 Predator|Predator]] drone.]]
 
A CIA [[targeted killing]] drone strike killed [[Kamal Derwish]], an American citizen, and a group of al-Qaeda operatives (including [[Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi]]) in Yemen in November 2002. Drones became shorthand in Yemen for a weak government allowing foreign forces to have their way.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-08/27/c_13464637_2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830093429/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-08/27/c_13464637_2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 August 2010 |title=Yemen rejects U.S. role in fighting al-Qaida |agency=Xinhua News Agency |access-date=31 October 2010}}</ref>
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|-
| '''[[Sa'ad bin Atef al-Awlaki]]''' || [[Emir]] and former military commander ||
*Succeeded Khalid Batarfi as leader of AQAP since March 2024.<ref name=":20" />
*Succeeded Khalid Batarfi as leader of AQAP since March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2024/03/al-qaeda-in-the-arabian-peninsula-names-new-emir-u-s-has-6-million-bounty-on-his-head.php|title=Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula names new emir; U.S. has $6 million bounty on his head &#124; FDD's Long War Journal|website=www.longwarjournal.org|date=11 March 2024 }}</ref>
|-
|'''Ammar al-San’ani'''
|Military commander
|
* Military commander since 2018.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |date=2018-02-27 |title=Twenty-first 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/n18/054/89/pdf/n1805489.pdf |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=United Nations Security Council}}</ref>
* Military commander since 2018.<ref name=":13" />
|-
| '''[[Ibrahim al-Banna]]''' || Chief of security ||
* Has served as AQAP's chief of security since at least 2017.<ref name=":13" /><ref name="Ibrahim al-Banna">{{cite web |title=Ibrahim al-Banna |url=http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/ibrahim_al_banna.html |access-date=11 February 2017 |archive-date=14 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214173925/https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/ibrahim_al_banna.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Founding member of AQAP and provides military and security guidance to AQAP leadership.<ref name="Ibrahim al-Banna" />
|-
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|Religious leader
|
* Appointed as shari'a official in October 2017.<ref name=":21" /><ref>{{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 |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=FDD's Long War Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Appointed as Shari'a official in October 2017.
* SucceedsSucceeded [[Ibrahim Sulayman Muhammad al-Rubaysh|Ibrahim al-Rubaysh]], who was killed in April 2015.<ref name=":21" />
|-
| '''[[Ibrahim al Qosi]]''' || Senior sharia official ||
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! Name || Position || Situation
|-
| '''[[Nasir al-Wuhayshi]]'''{{KIA}} || Former [[Emir]] and founder of AQAP ||
* Founder and former Emir of AQAP.<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}} || Former [[Emir]] and former military commander ||
* Military commander until 2015.
* In 2007, he and AQAP leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi announced the emergence of [[Islamic Jihad of Yemen|al-Qaida in Yemen]], AQAP's predecessor group.<ref name="Qasim al-Rimi">{{cite web |title=Qasim al-Rimi |url=http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/qasim_al_rimi.html |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>
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* Killed in a drone strike in late January 2020.
|-
| '''[[Khalid Batarfi]]'''{{tooltip|#|died of unknown cause}} || Former [[Emir]] and former senior commander ||
* Led [[jihad]]ist fighters in their [[al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen|takeover]] of Yemen's [[Abyan Governorate]] in 2011, where he was accorded the position of [[emir]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2 April 2015 |title=Amid Yemen chaos, al Qaeda stages prison break |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/yemen-prison-break-aqap-senior-commander-saudi-bombing-campaign/ |access-date=9 April 2015 |work=CBS News}}</ref><ref name="telegraph">{{cite news |last=Spencer |first=Richard |date=4 April 2015 |title=The al-Qaeda commander at home in a governor's palace |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/11515401/The-al-Qaeda-commander-at-home-in-a-governors-palace.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/11515401/The-al-Qaeda-commander-at-home-in-a-governors-palace.html |archive-date=2022-01-12 |access-date=9 April 2015 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Former senior military strategist and commander for AQAP forces in [[Hadhramaut Governorate]] and coordinated AQAP forces in the [[Battle of Mukalla (2015)|Battle of Mukalla]].<ref name="selfies">{{cite news |last=Bacchi |first=Umberto |date=4 April 2015 |title=Yemen: Al-Qaeda operative Khalid Batarfi takes selfies inside Mukalla government |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-operative-khalid-batarfi-takes-selfies-inside-mukalla-government-1494971 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225080210/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-operative-khalid-batarfi-takes-selfies-inside-mukalla-government-1494971 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |access-date=9 April 2015 |work=International Business Times}}</ref>
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|-
|'''[[Said Ali al-Shihri]]'''{{KIA}}
|Former Deputy Emiremir
|
* Deputy Emir and highest ranking Saudi official in AQAP.<ref name="Ctc20120-07-24">{{cite news |author=Gregory D. Johnsen |date=2012-07-24 |title=A Profile of AQAP's Upper Echelon |url=http://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/a-profile-of-aqaps-upper-echelon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621123022/http://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/a-profile-of-aqaps-upper-echelon |archive-date=2013-06-21 |access-date=2013-04-26 |publisher=[[Combating Terrorism Center]] |quote=As the deputy commander and highest-ranking Saudi in AQAP, al-Shihri played a key role in recruiting other Saudis and fundraising in the kingdom. In late 2009, a cell phone video of al-Shihri surfaced in which he made a plea for money from wealthy Saudi donors. In an effort to avoid detection the video never left the phone on which it was recorded. Instead, an AQAP courier traveled throughout Saudi Arabia showing the video message to different individuals.}}</ref>
*Was a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay until released to Saudi Arabia in November 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=Worth |first=Robert F. |date=22 January 2009 |title=Freed by U.S., Saudi Becomes a Qaeda Chief |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/world/middleeast/23yemen.html?hp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208003510/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/world/middleeast/23yemen.html?hp |archive-date=8 December 2017 |access-date=23 September 2016 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
*Killed in a drone strike in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |author=SITE |date=4 August 2014 |title=AQAP Concludes Biography of Slain Deputy Leader in 3rd Episode of Series&nbsp;— Jihadist News |url=https://news.siteintelgroup.com/Jihadist-News/aqap-concludes-biography-of-slain-deputy-leader-in-3rd-episode-of-series.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004234441/https://news.siteintelgroup.com/Jihadist-News/aqap-concludes-biography-of-slain-deputy-leader-in-3rd-episode-of-series.html |archive-date=4 October 2018 |access-date=22 March 2015}}</ref>
|-▼
|'''[[Mohamed Atiq Awayd Al Harbi]] {{Surrendered}}'''
|Field commander▼
|▼
*Was a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay until released to Saudi Arabia in November 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFP: Two ex-Guantanamo inmates appear in Al-Qaeda video |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZfIcWnHqBz4kQR90lC_pXaHeW4Q |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130090803/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZfIcWnHqBz4kQR90lC_pXaHeW4Q |archive-date=2009-01-30 |access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref>▼
*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>▼
|-▼
|'''Jalal Bala'idi''' {{KIA}}▼
|Field commander▼
|▼
* Field commander of AQAP in southern Abyan, Shabwa, Lahij, Hadhramaut, and al-Bayda governorates.<ref name=":17" />▼
* Killed in a drone strike in February 2016.<ref name=":17" />▼
|-▼
|'''[[Muhammad Sa'id Ali Hasan]]'''{{KIA}}▼
|Operational commander▼
|▼
*Senior military commander.▼
*Logistical and financial manager.▼
* Killed in a drone strike in April 2012.<ref name=":14" />▼
|-
|'''[[Ibrahim Sulayman Muhammad al-Rubaysh]]'''{{KIA}}
|Religious leader
|[[Mufti]]
|
* He was reportedReported to be AQAP's [[mufti]].<ref name="DoDList2">{{cite web |date=2006-05-15 |title=List of Individuals Detained by the Department of Defense at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from January 2002 through May 15, 2006 |url=http://www.dod.mil/news/May2006/d20060515%20List.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20070616044741/http://www.dod.mil/news/May2006/d20060515%20List.pdf |archive-date=2007-06-16 |access-date=2006-05-15 |publisher=[[United States Department of Defense]]}}</ref>
* 'Main ideologue and theological adviser' of AQAP.
* Also served as a senior advisor for AQAP operational planning, and was involved in the planning of attacks.<ref>{{cite web |year=2013 |title=Ibrahim al-Rubaysh |url=http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/ibrahim_al_rubaysh.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202051205/https://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/ibrahim_al_rubaysh.html |archive-date=2017-02-02 |access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref>
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* Killed in a drone strike in April 2015.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 April 2015 |title=Yemen al-Qaida branch says top cleric killed in drone attack |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b5ef017dedd54d7986a67fd913b94f4b/yemens-al-qaida-branch-says-its-top-cleric-has-been-killed |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415053453/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b5ef017dedd54d7986a67fd913b94f4b/yemens-al-qaida-branch-says-its-top-cleric-has-been-killed |archive-date=15 April 2015 |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Nasser bin AliIbrahim al-AnsiAsiri]]'''{{KIA}}'''
|Chief bombmaker
|Senior sharia official▼
|
* ChiefExplosives bomb-makerexpert 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>▼
* Senior shari'a official and military strategist.▼
*Reported Appearedto have been responsible for making the bombs used by his brother [[Abdullah al-Asiri]] in videoshis claimingsuicide responsibilitybombing, forthe capture[[Northwest andAirlines deathFlight 253|attempted bombing of LukeNorthwest SomersAirlines flight 253 in 2009]], the [[2010 cargo plane bomb plot]], and the ''Charlie[[May Hebdo''8th shooting2012 Terror Plot]].<ref name="BBC2014-07-04">{{cite news |last=Aboudi |first=Sami |date=144 JanuaryJuly 20152014 |title=Profile: Al -Qaeda claims'bomb Frenchmaker' attack,Ibrahim derides Paris rallyal-Asiri |url=https://www.reutersbbc.com/articlenews/us-franceworld-shootingmiddle-aqapeast-idUSKBN0KN0VO2015011411662143 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2015011413202820170201170533/http://www.reutersbbc.com/articlenews/2015/01/14/us-franceworld-shootingmiddle-aqapeast-idUSKBN0KN0VO2015011411662143 |archive-date=141 JanuaryFebruary 20152017 |access-date=1510 JanuaryFebruary 20152017 |work=ReutersBBC News}}</ref>
* Killed in a drone strike in Aprillate 20152017.<ref>{{citeCite news |authorlast=DanaMartin Ford|first=David |date=720 MayAugust 20152018 |title=SeniorU.S. AQAPofficials leaderconfident Nasrdrone Ibnstrike Alikilled chief al Qaeda bomb maker |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ibrahim-Ansial-asiri-chief-al-qaeda-bomb-maker-killed-in-u-s-drone-strike/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015132949/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ibrahim-al-asiri-chief-al-qaeda-bomb-maker-killed-in-u-s-drone-strike/ |archive-date=15 October 2018 |access-date=21 August 2018 |work=[[CBS News]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Crowley |first=Michael |date=10 October 2019 |title=Trump Confirms 2017 Killing of Feared Bomb Maker for Al Qaeda |url=httphttps://editionwww.cnnnytimes.com/20152019/10/0510/07world/middleeast/aqapqaeda-commanderbomber-killed/death-trump.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2019021919040220191022011410/https://editionwww.cnnnytimes.com/20152019/0510/0710/world/middleeast/aqapqaeda-commanderbomber-killed/death-trump.html |archive-date=1922 FebruaryOctober 2019 |access-date=27 MayOctober 20152019 |publishernewspaper=CNNThe New York Times}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Anwar al-Awlaki]]'''{{KIA}}
|Chief of Externalexternal Operationsoperations
|
* 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&nbsp;– 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>{{cite news |date=30 September 2011 |title=Islamist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki 'killed in Yemen' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15121879 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624191949/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15121879 |archive-date=24 June 2012 |access-date=15 April 2015 |work=BBC News}}</ref>
▲|-
▲|'''Jalal[[Samir BalaKhan]]'idi''' {{KIA}}
|Editor and publisher of Inspire magazine▼
▲|
* Khan was the editorEditor and publisher of Inspire magazine, an English-language online magazine published by AQAP.▼
* Killed in a drone strike in September 2011.▼
▲|-
|'''[[Nasser bin Ali al-Ansi]]{{KIA}}'''
▲|Senior sharia official
▲|
▲* Senior shari'a official and military strategist.
* Appeared in videos claiming responsibility for capture and death of Luke Somers and the ''Charlie Hebdo'' shooting.
* Killed in a drone strike in April 2015.<ref name=":19" />
|-
|'''[[Harith bin Ghazi al-Nadhari]]'''{{KIA}}
Line 641 ⟶ 635:
* Senior ranking Shari'a official within AQAP.
* He rebuked the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] announcement of expanding their caliphate into Yemen and renewed loyalties to [[al-Qaeda]] and its leader, [[Ayman al-Zawahiri]].<ref name="AQAPIS">{{cite news |date=21 November 2014 |title=Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Rejects Isis 'Caliphate', Ending Fears of Deadly Terror Alliance |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/al-qaida-arabian-peninsula-rejects-isis-caliphate-ending-fears-deadly-terror-alliance-1476004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225080251/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/al-qaida-arabian-peninsula-rejects-isis-caliphate-ending-fears-deadly-terror-alliance-1476004 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |access-date=4 February 2015 |work=International Business Times}}</ref>
* Killed in a drone strike in January 2015.<ref name=":18" />
* Killed in a drone strike in January 2015.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 2015 |title=AQAP says senior leader killed in drone strike |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/aqap-says-senior-leader-harith-nadhari-killed-drone-strike-yemen/ |access-date=11 February 2017 |website=[[CBS News]]}}</ref>
▲|-
▲|'''[[Muhammad Sa'id Ali Hasan]]'''{{KIA}}
▲|Operational commander
▲|
▲*Senior military commander.
▲*Logistical and financial manager.
▲* Killed in a drone strike in April 2012.<ref name=":14" />
|-
|'''[[Fahd al-Quso]]'''{{KIA}}
Line 658 ⟶ 659:
|Operational commander
|
* Al-Ghamdi was involvedInvolved in raising funds for the organization's operations and activities in Yemen.<ref name="Othman al-Ghamdi">{{cite web |title=Othman al-Ghamdi |url=http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/othman_al_ghamdi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202021131/https://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/othman_al_ghamdi.html |archive-date=2017-02-02 |access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref>
* He first appeared in a video released in May 2010, where he was identified publicly as AQAP's operational commander.<ref name="Othman al-Ghamdi" />
* He was a formerFormer detainee at [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp]] from April 2006 to June 2006 until he was handed over to Saudi Arabian authorities and subsequently released.<ref name="sofrep.com" />
* Killed in a drone strike in Yemen in February 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=الحياة |date=8 February 2015 |title=مقتل سعوديين في داعش وآخر قيادي في القاعدة في اليمن وسوريا |url=http://ar.abna24.com/service/arabia/archive/2015/02/08/669839/story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031612/http://ar.abna24.com/service/arabia/archive/2015/02/08/669839/story.html |archive-date=31 July 2018 |access-date=30 July 2018}}</ref>
* AQAP confirmed al-Ghamdi'shis death in September 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last=says |first=Verneoz |date=5 September 2018 |title=AQAP claims Saudi spy network targeted its leaders &#124; FDD's Long War Journal |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/09/aqap-claims-saudi-spy-network-targeted-its-leaders.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224014234/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/09/aqap-claims-saudi-spy-network-targeted-its-leaders.php |archive-date=24 December 2019 |access-date=9 September 2018 |website=www.longwarjournal.org}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[SamirMohamed KhanAtiq Awayd Al Harbi]]''' {{KIASurrendered}}'''
▲|Field commander
▲|Editor and publisher of Inspire magazine
|
▲*Was a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay until released to Saudi Arabia in November 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFP: Two ex-Guantanamo inmates appear in Al-Qaeda video |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZfIcWnHqBz4kQR90lC_pXaHeW4Q |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130090803/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZfIcWnHqBz4kQR90lC_pXaHeW4Q |archive-date=2009-01-30 |access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref>
▲* Khan was the editor and publisher of Inspire magazine, an English-language online magazine published by AQAP.
▲*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>
▲* Killed in a drone strike in September 2011.
|-
|'''[[IbrahimJalal al-Asiri]]Bala'idi''' {{KIA}}
▲|Field commander
|Explosives expert
|
▲* Field commander of AQAP in southern Abyan, Shabwa, Lahij, Hadhramaut, and al-Bayda governorates.<ref name=":17" />
▲* Chief bomb-maker 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>
▲* Killed in a drone strike in February 2016.<ref name=":17" />
*He was reported to have been responsible for making the bombs used by his brother [[Abdullah al-Asiri]] in his suicide bombing, the [[2009 Christmas Day bomb plot]], the [[2010 cargo plane bomb plot]], and the [[May 8th 2012 Terror Plot]].<ref name="BBC2014-07-04">{{cite news |date=4 July 2014 |title=Profile: Al-Qaeda 'bomb maker' Ibrahim al-Asiri |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11662143 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201170533/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11662143 |archive-date=1 February 2017 |access-date=10 February 2017 |work=BBC News}}</ref>
* Killed in a drone strike in late 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=David |date=20 August 2018 |title=U.S. officials confident drone strike killed chief al Qaeda bomb maker |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ibrahim-al-asiri-chief-al-qaeda-bomb-maker-killed-in-u-s-drone-strike/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015132949/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ibrahim-al-asiri-chief-al-qaeda-bomb-maker-killed-in-u-s-drone-strike/ |archive-date=15 October 2018 |access-date=21 August 2018 |work=[[CBS News]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Crowley |first=Michael |date=10 October 2019 |title=Trump Confirms 2017 Killing of Feared Bomb Maker for Al Qaeda |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/world/middleeast/qaeda-bomber-death-trump.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022011410/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/world/middleeast/qaeda-bomber-death-trump.html |archive-date=22 October 2019 |access-date=27 October 2019 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
|}
 
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