Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is a Sunni extremist group based in Yemen that has orchestrated numerous high-profile terrorist attacks. Emerging in January 2009, AQAP marked its presence through the amalgamation of Yemeni and Saudi terrorist elements, signaling its ambition to become a central hub for regional terrorism in the Arabian Peninsula. The precursor to AQAP was al-Qa’ida in Yemen (AQY), formed by several al-Qa’ida veterans who escaped from a Sanaa prison.
Initially led by the now-deceased Amir Nasir al-Wahishi, AQAP’s leadership also comprised the late deputy Amir Sa‘id al-Shahri and Nasir al-Wahishi’s successor, Qasim al-Rimi. Anwar al-Aulaqi, a dual US-Yemeni citizen known for his radical ideology and propagandist activities, played a prominent role within AQAP until his demise in September 2011.
Throughout 2015, AQAP faced significant losses in its leadership ranks, including the death of Nasir al-Wahishi. Following Wahishi’s death, Qasim al-Rimi was named as his successor, maintaining the group’s operational continuity.
AQAP’s activities have targeted local, US, and Western interests both within the Arabian Peninsula and abroad. One of its most notorious operations occurred on December 25, 2009, when AQAP dispatched Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian-born operative, who attempted to detonate an explosive device aboard a Northwest Airlines flight—an incident marking the first attack inside the United States by an al-Qa’ida affiliate since 9/11.
Subsequent attempts to attack the United States, including the sending of explosive-laden packages in October 2010, highlighted AQAP’s persistent threat. The group’s involvement in the January 2015 attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine’s office in Paris further underscored its global reach. A week after the attack, AQAP claimed responsibility, emphasizing its role in choosing the target and financing the operation.
To expand its influence and amplify its message, AQAP launched the English-language publication, Inspire magazine, in 2010, aiming to reach a broader audience.
In addition to targeting Western interests, AQAP has also engaged in attacks against the Yemeni government. In December 2013, the group orchestrated a complex assault on Yemen’s Ministry of Defense, resulting in the deaths of at least 52 people. In February 2014, AQAP freed over two dozen prisoners from Sanaa’s central prison, showcasing its ability to challenge state authority.
Since the rise of the Houthi movement in early 2015, AQAP has shifted its focus towards combating Houthi expansion. The group regularly engages in attacks and skirmishes with Houthi forces, particularly in areas where the Houthi presence is growing. Notably, AQAP has established a stronghold in Mukalla, Hadramawt Governorate, where it has carried out various activities including freeing prisoners, robbing banks, and seizing government facilities.
Despite sustained efforts by domestic and international forces to counter AQAP’s influence, the group remains a resilient and formidable threat in Yemen and beyond. Its ability to adapt to changing circumstances and exploit regional instability underscores the challenges in eradicating the menace posed by AQAP and similar extremist organizations.
