On February 28, 2013, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) released issue X of its English-language online magazine Inspire on the Al-Fida' jihadi forum. The release comes almost 10 months since AQAP released issues VIII and IX of Inspire on May 2, 2012.[1] The current issue (Spring 2013, 60pp) includes excerpts of an exclusive interview with American-born Al-Qaeda operative Adam Gadahn, in which he speaks about the Arab spring, as well as a letter by American jihadi Samir Khan, who was killed in Yemen in September 2011 in a U.S. drone strike. The issue also contains previously released messages from Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri and slain Al-Qaeda commander Abu Yahya Al-Libi.
Additionally, AQAP lists some upcoming productions, including a video titled "Lamenting the Loss of Sheikh 'Adil 'Abbaab," which, based on its title, will confirm Sheikh Al-'Abab's death. The latter was reported killed in a drone strike in Yemen in October 2012.[2]
Also noteworthy in this issue are the two new public keys AQAP provides for secured communication with the group. The issue also features a new segment in its Open Source Jihad (OSJ) section, in which an Al-Qaeda "consultant" answers queries pertaining to lone-wolf attacks.
MEMRI will soon publish a detailed review of issue X of Inspire.
Endnotes:
[1] See MEMRI JTTM report AQAP Releases Issues VIII and IX of Its English-Language Magazine 'Inspire', Calling for Lone-Wolf Jihad Attacks Targeting 'Populations'; Permitting Chemical and Biological Weapons, May 7, 2012.
[2] See MEMRI JTTM report Senior AQAP Cleric 'Adel Al-'Abab Killed In Drone Strike, October 19, 2012.
