US Offers $10m Reward In Hunt For Al Qaeda Leader In Yemen
The US State Department has issued an online appeal for information regarding senior members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The department is asking for information about Saad bin Atef Al Awlaki, the group’s leader, and two other senior members, Ibrahim Muhammad Salih Al Banna and Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud Al Qosi. The State Department increased its reward offer for Mr Al Awlaki, who became the leader of AQAP in 2024 following the death of Khalid Saeed Batarfi, to $10 million.
Reward Offers for AQAP Members
Name
Role in AQAP
Reward Amount
Details
Saad bin Atef Al Awlaki
Current Leader (Amir)
$10 million
Became leader in 2024; called for attacks on US and allies; led kidnappings.
Ibrahim Muhammad Salih Al Banna
Founding Member, Chief of Security
$5 million
Involved in organizational security; senior member since AQAP’s formation.
Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud Al Qosi
Senior Member
$4 million
Called for “lone wolf” attacks on the United States.
Overview of AQAP
Full Name: Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Designation: Foreign Terrorist Organization (by the US in January 2010) Ideology: Sunni Extremism Primary Area of Operation: Yemen
Activities Inside Yemen
Year
Event
2013
Attack on Yemen’s Ministry of Defence; at least 52 people killed.
2015–Now
Focusing on fighting the Iran-backed Houthis during Yemen’s civil war.
Ongoing
Established control in Mukalla (Hadramawt Governorate); freed prisoners, robbed banks, and took over government buildings.
Attacks Outside Yemen
Date
Attempted bombing of Northwest Airlines via an explosive device in underwear.
December 2009
Attempted bombing of Northwest Airlines via explosive device in underwear.
October 2010
Attempt to send explosive packages to the US by air freight.
January 2015
Claimed responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris (12 killed).
