Tariq al-Dahab

Last updated
Tariq al-Dahab
Born1974-1977
Died15 February 2012
Nationality Yemeni
OccupationAQAP Emir
Military career
AllegianceFlag of al-Qaeda.svg Al-Qaeda
Service/branchShababFlag.svg AQAP
Years of service?–2012
RankEmir of the Rada'a District
Battles/wars Yemen Insurgency
  • Al Bayda Governorate clashes (2012-2013) 

Tariq al-Dahab, was the AQAP Emir in the Rada'a District. He was the brother in law of Al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki by his sister. He was a member of the powerful al-Dahab clan.

Contents

As the Emir of Rada'a

In the middle of January 2012, he led an offensive in the Rada'a District, and succeeded in capturing it. [1] While in control of the city, Tariq flew al Qaeda’s banner in the city buildings and his fighters swore allegiance to Ayman al-Zawahiri, Qaeda's overall Emir. He then released a short videotape urging Muslims “to unite and be patient” as “the Islamic Caliphate is coming.” His half brother, however, Hizamm was one of several tribal leaders who convinced Tariq to withdraw his fighters from Rada’a. In exchange, some 400 of his AQAP fighters, including Hizam's and Tariq's younger brother, Nabil al-Dahab, were freed from government custody. Also, the tribal leaders promised to enforce sharia, or Islamic law, in Rada’a. [2] [3]

Death

A month later, on 15 February, Dahab was killed in a family feud and an ensuing gun battle between his followers and the followers of his half brother, Hizam al-Dahab, who was a follower of Ali Abdullah Saleh. Hizam and his supporters then fled the scene, taking refuge in another house. Tariq's followers led by another brother, Qaed al-Dahab, pursued them and a battle ensued, leaving 16 dead, including Hizam. Tariq was 35 years old when he was killed. [4] [5] A US intelligence official who closely tracks Yemen and AQAP said Nabil and Qaid will succeed Tariq as the new Emirs for Rada'a. [3] [6] Later, AQAP issued a eulogy and acknowledged Tariq's death. [7]

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References

  1. "Awlaki relative led Yemeni raid". upi.com. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  2. "AQAP leader, Yemeni tribal leader killed in clashes in Rada'a - FDD's Long War Journal". longwarjournal.org. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  3. 1 2 "AQAP commander says 'the Islamic Caliphate is coming' - FDD's Long War Journal". longwarjournal.org. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  4. "Yemen family feud kills senior Al Qaeda leader - Toronto Star". thestar.com. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  5. "A Post-Mortem Analysis of AQAP Tribal Implementer Tariq al-Dhahab". theosintjournal.blogspot.gr. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  6. "Al-Qaeda leader killed by half-brother in Rada'a". yementimes.com. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  7. SITE. "AQAP Gives Eulogy for Slain Radda' Chief Tariq al-Dhahab". siteintelgroup.com. Retrieved 5 February 2017.