Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 4 - Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula

Aka:  al-Qa’ida in the South Arabian Peninsula; al-Qa’ida in Yemen; al-Qa’ida of Jihad Organization in the Arabian Peninsula; al-Qa’ida Organization in the Arabian Peninsula; Tanzim Qa’idat al-Jihad fi Jazirat al-Arab; AQAP; AQY; Ansar al-Shari’a; Ansar al-Sharia; Ansar al-Shariah; Ansar al Shariah; Partisans of Islamic Law; Sons of Abyan; Sons of Hadramawt; Sons of Hadramawt Committee; Civil Council of Hadramawt; and National Hadramawt Council.

Description:  AQAP was designated as an FTO on January 19, 2010.  In 2009, the now-deceased leader of al-Qa’ida in Yemen, Nasir al-Wahishi, publicly announced that Yemeni and Saudi al-Qa’ida operatives were working together under the banner of AQAP.  The announcement signaled the rebirth of an al-Qa’ida franchise that previously carried out attacks in Saudi Arabia.  AQAP’s stated goals include establishing a caliphate and implementing Sharia in the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Middle East.

Activities:  In August 2024, AQAP claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack at a military post in Abyan, killing 16 Yemeni soldiers and wounding 18 others.

Strength:  AQAP was estimated to have up to 3,000 members.

Location/Area of Operation:  Yemen.

Funding and External Aid:  AQAP receives funding from theft, robberies, oil and gas revenue, kidnap-for-ransom operations, and donations from like-minded supporters.

Verknüpfte Dokumente