The death of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula leader Khalid Al-Batrafi and the appointment of Saad Al-Awlaki as his successor have once again highlighted the group's activities, which have significantly declined over the past few years due to internal conflicts. The organization announced Al-Batrafi's death on Sunday without providing reasons, according to a statement from the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist media. However, tribal sources and others connected to the organization indicated that Al-Batrafi died from a long-standing illness that worsened after the death of the doctor overseeing his treatment, known as Abu Abdullah the Syrian, referred to as al-Qaeda's doctor.
The appointment of Al-Awlaki, who is in his forties, as the current leader represents an attempt to revive the organization and restore its ranks that were disrupted during his predecessor's tenure. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was established in 2009 by Osama bin Laden. This organization claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris in 2015, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people. Thus, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is considered one of the most important and dangerous branches of the main organization, but its activity significantly declined under Al-Batrafi's leadership following the death of Qassem Al-Rimi in a U.S. strike in February 2020, which dealt a severe blow to the group.
The newly appointed Al-Awlaki, a member of the Awaliq tribe in Shabwa Governorate, is a prominent and active field leader in the organization. He is a member of the organization's Shura Council and is on the U.S. "Rewards for Justice" list. The United States has offered a reward of up to six million dollars for information about him. The U.S. State Department states that Al-Awlaki "has openly called for attacks against the United States and its allies." Conflicting tribal and local sources confirm that Al-Awlaki, who was appointed by Al-Batrafi’s will, enjoys the support of most leaders and members of the organization and has received endorsements from field and religious leaders for his appointment, with significant optimism regarding his ability to bring the organization back into the spotlight after nearly two years of decline.
