Al-Qaida Leaders

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Monday, 08 September 2008 05:58

The NEFA Foundation is releasing additional content drawn from Al-Somood, a monthly Islamic magazine published by the Taliban’s media center. In this piece, dated August/September 2006, Sheikh Abu Yahya al-Liby reveals "The Truth About What Happens Behind the Bars." Al-Liby, who was being held by the U.S. government, escaped from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan in July 2005. Dell Dailey, the State Department’s Coordinator for Counterterrorism, has said that “Abu Yahya is a senior Al-Qaida member, a top strategist for the group, and trusted and presented as one of the group’s most effective promoters of jihad.” Al-Liby's article provides insights into his time in U.S. custody. For instance, he writes that authorities focused on a number of questions, including whether there was "any information about new operations that the Mujahidin are preparing for against American interests" and "where Sheikh Osama Bin Laden, Doctor Ayman Al-Zawahiri and other leaders are hiding..."

Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri: "To Pakistan Army and the People of Pakistan"

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Wednesday, 20 August 2008 05:52

The NEFA Foundation has released a transcript of the latest audio message from Al-Qaida’s Deputy Commander Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri. Addressing his plea to the Pakistani military, al-Zawahiri spoke for the first time in English and called upon low and mid-ranking soldiers to violently revolt against the leadership of Pervaiz Musharraf and his alliance with the United States. Al-Zawahiri also discussed at length his own experiences and knowledge of Pakistan, though he also conceded that his unfamiliarity with Urdu was forcing him to adopt English, the language of the “enemies of Islam."

Transcript of Geo TV (Pakistan) Interview of Shaykh Mustafa Abu al-Yazid

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Monday, 11 August 2008 05:50

The NEFA Foundation has obtained a transcript of a Pakistani television interview of Shaykh Mustafa Abu al-Yazid (a.k.a. “Shaykh Saeed”). In May 2007, Al-Qaida’s official As-Sahab Media Wing identified al-Yazid as “the overall head of al-Qaida Organization in Afghanistan.” According to As-Sahab, al-Yazid “took part in founding al-Qaida in 1989, and is a member of the Shura council of Qaida al-Jihad.” Interviewed by Geo television, al-Yazid was asked, "is there any Muslim government who you hold responsible for damaging your cause the most?” He responded, "Sadly it is the government of Pakistan which has caused most damage to our cause. President Musharraf violated the trust of Muslims and contributed to destroying the Islamic government of Afghanistan."

Al-Qaida Acknowledges "Martyrdom" of "Abu Khabab al-Masri"

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Wednesday, 06 August 2008 05:49

The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated a copy of the statement from Al-Qaida leader Mustafa Abu al-Yazid acknowledging the “martyrdom” of most wanted Egyptian Al-Qaida commander “Abu Khabab al-Masri” (a.k.a. Midhat Mursi al-Sayyid Umar) in a U.S. airstrike targeting a lawless region of northwestern Pakistan. According to the communiqué, the airstrike also killed Abu Mohammed Ibrahim Bin Abu al-Faraj al-Masri, the son of the former Chief Shariah Judge of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad Movement. The document further threatened, “Although Abu Khabab has departed from us, he has left behind him-by the mercy and grace of Allah-a generation of honorable young men who will cause you torment and avenge him and his brothers, with the support of Allah. Although an expert has left us, he has left in his wake-thanks to Allah-new experts who have trained under him and learned from him over the years to volunteer, to sacrifice, and to be patient and tolerant on the path of righteousness."

New Zawahiri Recording: "Lift the Siege of Gaza!"

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Saturday, 07 June 2008 05:45

The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated a copy of an audio recording of Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri released by Al-Qaida’s official As-Sahab Media Wing on June 4, titled “On the Anniversary of the Disaster – A Call to Help Our People in Gaza.” During the recording, al-Zawahiri once again called upon “the sons of the Islamic nation [to] break the chains of the treacherous regimes and the impotent authorities [surrounding Israel] and set forth to join the battle and aid the mujahideen.” Dr. al-Zawahiri directed a specific call to “my Muslim brothers in Sinai: help your brothers in Gaza. Join in their battles… and if they start to break down the wall of betrayal, join them.” Al-Zawahiri also appealed to Palestinian Muslims to “increase your martyrdom operations, your rockets, and your ambushes... Keep to your Qurans and your battle trenches, and do not abandon the mission of establishing the rule of Islamic law."