A former colonel with Egyptian special forces, Saif al-Adel, is serving as al-Qaeda’s interim head, according to unconfirmed reports.
Al-Adel fought the Soviets alongside Osama bin Laden in 1980 and is on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list.
Al-Adel is thought to be a high-ranking member of al-Qaeda and also affiliated with the Egyptian Islamic jihad. He is wanted by the United States for his involvement in the August 7, 1998, bombings of the United States embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya. The United States is offering a reward of $5 million for information leading to the apprehension of al-Adel. The reward offered predates his reported new position in al-Qaeda.
The Egyptian born al-Adel was appointed to head al-Qaeda by eight or so top commanders in the Afghan-Pakistani border area, according to site Strategic Intelligence News.
Former bin Laden associate Noman Benotman, told Reuters al-Adel is operating as interim leader while bin Laden’s Deputy Ayman Al Zawahri collects pledges of loyalty, reports website Global Jihad. Benotman renounced al-Qaeda and is now an analyst with U.K.-based counterextremism think tank Quilliam Foundation.
Al-Adel’s leadership was not a decision of the formal Shura council of al-Qaeda, says site Strategic Intelligence News. The site reports the Saudi and Yemeni branches of al-Qaeda are not happy with al-Adel as leader. Reportedly, they want someone from the Arabian Peninsula to head al-Qaeda. The Arabian Peninsula is believed by Muslims to be the holy region.
Al-Adel’s leadership is not fully confirmed and may be a reflection of a power struggle within al-Qaeda. Some still expect bin Laden’s deputy, Ayman Al Zawahiri will officially succeed bin Laden.
On May 3 NPR reported Saif al-Adel is one of the “rising stars” bin Laden elevated to lead al-Qaeda after his death. In the report, Rick ‘Ozzie’ Nelson of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, is quoted saying of al-Adel, “He’s a seasoned operator, he has experience, he has the bona fides within the organization. ... He’s been with al-Qaeda for many years, and that’s critical to minimize the effect of losing bin Laden.”
The same report said al-Adel has been under house arrest in Iran for the last nine years and only in late 2010 did he return to Pakistan to fight with al-Qaeda.
Osama bin Laden began establishing al-Qaeda during the 1979-1989 conflict with the Soviets in Afghanistan. At that time, he worked with Abdullah Azzam to establish a financial support network to bring in and train young Islamists for jihad, according to a brief account on the organization by Bill Moyer’s Journal.
After the conflict with the Soviets, bin Laden decided to keep al-Qaeda in operation as a foundation for future jihad. Azzam wanted to focus on establishing an Islamist government in Afghanistan, but bin Laden wanted to prepare al-Qaeda to fight around the globe. When Azzam was killed in 1989, bin Laden took full charge of al-Qaeda.
Al-Adel fought the Soviets alongside Osama bin Laden in 1980 and is on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list.
Al-Adel is thought to be a high-ranking member of al-Qaeda and also affiliated with the Egyptian Islamic jihad. He is wanted by the United States for his involvement in the August 7, 1998, bombings of the United States embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya. The United States is offering a reward of $5 million for information leading to the apprehension of al-Adel. The reward offered predates his reported new position in al-Qaeda.
The Egyptian born al-Adel was appointed to head al-Qaeda by eight or so top commanders in the Afghan-Pakistani border area, according to site Strategic Intelligence News.
Former bin Laden associate Noman Benotman, told Reuters al-Adel is operating as interim leader while bin Laden’s Deputy Ayman Al Zawahri collects pledges of loyalty, reports website Global Jihad. Benotman renounced al-Qaeda and is now an analyst with U.K.-based counterextremism think tank Quilliam Foundation.
Al-Adel’s leadership was not a decision of the formal Shura council of al-Qaeda, says site Strategic Intelligence News. The site reports the Saudi and Yemeni branches of al-Qaeda are not happy with al-Adel as leader. Reportedly, they want someone from the Arabian Peninsula to head al-Qaeda. The Arabian Peninsula is believed by Muslims to be the holy region.
Al-Adel’s leadership is not fully confirmed and may be a reflection of a power struggle within al-Qaeda. Some still expect bin Laden’s deputy, Ayman Al Zawahiri will officially succeed bin Laden.
On May 3 NPR reported Saif al-Adel is one of the “rising stars” bin Laden elevated to lead al-Qaeda after his death. In the report, Rick ‘Ozzie’ Nelson of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, is quoted saying of al-Adel, “He’s a seasoned operator, he has experience, he has the bona fides within the organization. ... He’s been with al-Qaeda for many years, and that’s critical to minimize the effect of losing bin Laden.”
The same report said al-Adel has been under house arrest in Iran for the last nine years and only in late 2010 did he return to Pakistan to fight with al-Qaeda.
Osama bin Laden began establishing al-Qaeda during the 1979-1989 conflict with the Soviets in Afghanistan. At that time, he worked with Abdullah Azzam to establish a financial support network to bring in and train young Islamists for jihad, according to a brief account on the organization by Bill Moyer’s Journal.
After the conflict with the Soviets, bin Laden decided to keep al-Qaeda in operation as a foundation for future jihad. Azzam wanted to focus on establishing an Islamist government in Afghanistan, but bin Laden wanted to prepare al-Qaeda to fight around the globe. When Azzam was killed in 1989, bin Laden took full charge of al-Qaeda.
