Hamza bin Laden, the son of Al-Qaeda founder and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, who was thought to have been killed in a US airstrike in 2019, is reportedly alive and actively leading the terror group.
According to a recent intelligence report seen by The Mirror, Hamza bin Laden is not only alive but is also playing a significant role in Al-Qaeda’s resurgence.
The report further reveals that senior Taliban leaders are aware of Hamza’s status and are in regular contact with him. These leaders are said to be providing him and his family with protection and support.
“These leaders… engage with him, holding regular meetings and securing him and his family. It highlights a deep connection between al-Qaeda and the Taliban, one that is crucial for Western governments to understand. [Hamza] has ascended to the leadership of al-Qaeda, steering [it] towards its most potent resurgence since the Iraq War,” the report stated.
The analysis notes that 34-year-old Hamza is based in Jalalabad, a known stronghold for terrorist activities, located around 100 miles east of Kabul. Under his leadership, Al-Qaeda is reportedly regrouping and planning future attacks on Western targets. Additionally, his brother Abdullah bin Laden is also heavily involved in the group’s revival efforts.
“Under his command, al-Qaeda is regrouping and preparing for future attacks on Western targets. Hamza is driven by a powerful determination to continue the legacy of his father, which adds a symbolic and strategic weight to his actions. Moreover, Hamza’s brother, Abdullah bin Laden, plays a critical role in this revival,” the report stated.
The report further suggests that Hamza and his four wives may have sought refuge in Iran in an attempt to evade the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Who is Hamza bin Laden?
Hamza bin Laden, often referred to as the “crown prince of jihad,” is the 15th of Osama bin Laden’s 20 children and the son of his third wife. From a young age, he was groomed to follow in his father’s footsteps. He was present with his father in Afghanistan before the 9/11 attacks, learning to handle weapons and appearing in propaganda videos where he criticised Americans, Jews, and “Crusaders”, as per an AFP report.
In 2019, then-US President Donald Trump announced that Hamza had been killed in a successful counterterrorism operation, reportedly in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. However, the CIA did not acquire DNA evidence to confirm his death, leaving his fate uncertain.
Trump’s statement at the time read: “Hamza bin Laden, the high-ranking al-Qaeda member and son of Osama bin Laden, was killed in a United States counterterrorism operation in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region.”
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