Sanaa: The militant group Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has announced the death of its leader, Khalid al-Batarfi, under mysterious circumstances. The announcement came through a video released by the group, which depicted al-Batarfi’s body draped in the organization’s black-and-white flag, signifying a funeral shroud.
Al-Batarfi, who was believed to be in his early 40s, had been at the helm of AQAP since February 2020, following the death of his predecessor, Qassim al-Rimi, in a U.S. drone strike. The U.S. government had previously placed a $5 million bounty on al-Batarfi for his role in leading what is considered one of the most dangerous branches of the extremist group, active even after the death of Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.
The video released by AQAP did not provide details regarding the cause of al-Batarfi’s death, and no visible signs of injury were apparent on his face. The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activities, confirmed the release of the video informing about Batarfi’s death.
In a strategic announcement made on the eve of Ramadan, AQAP declared Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki as the new leader of the organization. The United States has a $6 million bounty on al-Awlaki, who has been vocal in calling for attacks against the U.S. and its allies.
Al-Batarfi’s tenure as leader of AQAP was marked by his history of militancy, which included fighting alongside the Taliban during the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan and leading forces in Yemen’s Abyan province. His escape from prison in 2015 during an AQAP raid in Mukalla, the capital of Yemen’s largest province, Hadramawt, further solidified his position within the group.
As AQAP continues to pose a significant threat, the death of al-Batarfi and the appointment of al-Awlaki as the new leader underscore the ongoing instability and the persistent challenge of extremism in the region.
