Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq
The leader of the al-Qaeda affiliated al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Nasser al-Wahishi, has vowed to free militants currently imprisoned around the region.
In a message posted on Islamic militant websites earlier today, al-Wahishi urges imprisoned militants to remain faithful to their fundamentalist ideology and claims that “victory is imminent” for the group.
Interpol has recently issued a security alert over suspected al-Qaeda involvement in the recent large-scale prison escapes in Iraq, Libya, and Pakistan.
This message from al-Wahishi will renew fears in the region that AQAP is growing in strength and influence after the US closed 19 diplomatic missions in the region and the UK closed its embassy in Sana’a after intelligence of a terror plot emerged.
The Yemeni authorities have claimed to have foiled the terror plot likely referred to in the intercepts of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahri targeting Western embassies and international shipping the in Red Sea.
The US are reported to have launched nine drone strikes within Yemen since 27th July, killing 38 suspected militants, with the latest coming on 10th August, targeting suspected AQAP militants involved in the recent suspected terror plot.