Al-Qaida has released an audio communique that it claims was recorded by Hamza bin Laden, one of slain leader Osama bin Laden’s young sons. In the message, the younger bin Laden urges attacks on the US and its allies, like Israel, France, and the United Kingdom. This is probably the first time al-Qaida has presented Hamza bin Laden as an official member of the militant group. The alert called for increased training for volunteers and staff at Jewish institutions ahead of Rosh Hashanah, including establishing relationships with local law enforcement and reviewing communications and plans for responding to an active shooter.
The dispatch, released on an al-Qaida website and shared by clandestine supporters on social media, calls upon followers in Kabul, Baghdad and Gaza to wage jihad, or holy war, on large Western cities like Washington, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv. The recording was made before June, but today’s release is thought to be in response to Islamic State’s strengthening support, which it is taking from al-Qaeda.
Osama Bin Laden was killed by US special forces in 2011 in a raid on his compound in Abbotabad, Pakistan. The group has since been led by al-Qaeda’s former second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Hamza Bin Laden’s whereabouts are not known. He is believed to be in his mid-twenties.