6 days ago
Last Updated: September 13, 2024, 19:11 IST
FILE - In this image from video released by the CIA on Nov. 1, 2017, Hamza bin Laden is shown at his wedding. Years after the death of his father at the hands of a U.S. Navy SEAL raid in Pakistan, Hamza bin Laden finds himself clearly in the crosshairs of world powers. The U.S. has put up to a $1 million bounty for him. The U.N. Security Council has named him to a global sanctions list, sparking a new Interpol notice for his arrest. His home country of Saudi Arabia has revoked his citizenship. (CIA via AP, File)
Under his leadership, Al-Qaeda is reportedly regrouping and planning future attacks on Western targets
Hamza bin Laden, the son of Al-Qaeda founder and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, who was thought to have been killed in a US airstrike in 2019, is reportedly alive and actively leading the terror group.
According to a recent intelligence report seen by The Mirror, Hamza bin Laden is not only alive but is also playing a significant role in Al-Qaeda’s resurgence.
The report further reveals that senior Taliban leaders are aware of Hamza’s status and are in regular contact with him. These leaders are said to be providing him and his family with protection and support.
“These leaders… engage with him, holding regular meetings and securing him and his family. It highlights a deep connection between al-Qaeda and the Taliban, one that is crucial for Western governments to understand. [Hamza] has ascended to the leadership of al-Qaeda, steering [it] towards its most potent resurgence since the Iraq War,” it noted.
The analysis notes that 34-year-old Hamza is based in Jalalabad, a known stronghold for terrorist activities, located around 100 miles east of Kabul. Under his leadership, Al-Qaeda is reportedly regrouping and planning future attacks on Western targets. Additionally, his brother Abdullah bin Laden is also heavily involved in the group’s revival efforts.
“Under his command, al-Qaeda is regrouping and preparing for future attacks on Western targets. Hamza is driven by a powerful determination to continue the legacy of his father, which adds a symbolic and strategic weight to his actions. Moreover, Hamza’s brother, Abdullah bin Laden, plays a critical role in this revival,” the report stated.
The report further suggests that Hamza and his four wives may have sought refuge in Iran in an attempt to evade the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
