Meet the New Leader of Al Qaeda…His Name is bin Laden
No, this is not another conspiracy theory that we really didn’t kill Osama bin Laden. This is a story about his son, Hamza bin Laden. He is 23 or 24 and he was expected to be in the compound with his father, but when they checked, his body could not be found. He has since been heard talking on a couple of Al Qaeda propaganda tapes and the rumors are, he is being groomed to take his father’s place at the head of Al Qaeda. What isn’t known is if he will be the de facto leader or merely a figurehead for the power behind the throne.
Al Qaeda has lost a lot of prestige and ISIS is now considered the more powerful jihadist organization in the world today. In his most recent tape, the younger bin Laden calls for the various terrorist groups in Syria to unite and to use that as a springboard to liberate Palestine, a mythical land invented by liberals and outcasts from Jordan. His message focused on taking out the Jews. Daddy would have been so proud.
“The Islamic umma (nation) should focus on jihad in al-Sham (Syria)… and unite the ranks of mujahedeen,” he said. “There is no longer an excuse for those who insist on division and disputes now that the whole world has mobilised against Muslims.”
Dr Andreas Krieg, an analyst at King’s College in London, told The Independent the release of the message appeared part of a concerted effort “not to appear too quiet” next to their ISIL rivals.
While Hamza “has been labelled a crown prince” after surviving the raid that killed his father and older brother Khlaed, Krieg said the younger son was “not a key figure within al-Qaeda” at this stage.
“Although his father still has a prominent role in jihadist circles as a mastermind, godfather and inspiration, Hamza has not yet done anything of prominence, he said.
“I think Hamza is following Al Zawahiri knowing that he cannot emerge from his shadow just yet – if ever.