NEFA Foundation: Al-Qaida in Yemen Threatens Denmark and Europeans With "Killing", "Slaughter", and "Heavy Blows" Over Cartoon Controversy

By Evan Kohlmann

The NEFA Foundation has obtained and translated selected articles from the official magazine of Al-Qaida’s network in Yemen, “Sada al-Malahim.” The articles include a report published in the first issue of the magazine (released in January 2008) documenting a failed Yemeni government security operation targeting a suspected Yemeni Al-Qaida member following his return from fighting U.S. forces in the jihad in Iraq. The articles also include two pieces from the second issue of the magazine (released in March 2008), focusing on the Danish cartoon controversy and, respectively, the dangers facing “infidels” who dare to attempt to visit any region of the Arabian Peninsula. Regarding the cartoons, a Yemeni Al-Qaida columnist charged, “the Europeans have entered—as they have entered previously—into a Christian war with Islam and the Muslims. They have opened the doors of hell for themselves, and have opened wide the door to the killing and slaughter of their citizens… If they do not rid themselves of these cartoons, apologize for them, declare that they are no longer permitted, and punish those who insult the Prophet of the Muslims, may Allah bless him and grant him salvation, then they shall be a legitimate target. Furthermore, it will become the responsibility of every Muslim to slaughter them anywhere in the world, and to set upon them with heavy blows.” In the second article, titled “Bearing No Responsibility”, another Al-Qaida writer threatened, “we disavow responsibility for any infidel who has entered the Arabian Peninsula, and his blood and money are open for the taking… Beware entering the Arabian Peninsula under any name or guise—be it as tourists, diplomats, scientific delegations, experts, or journalists. Otherwise, you shall be the primary target of the mujahideen. By Allah, the knife of Abu Musab [al-Zarqawi] is still dripping blood, and we are now holding it.”

The articles available on the NEFA Foundation website include:

* Issue #1: Failed Yemeni Security Operation
* Issue #2: Danish Cartoon Controversy ("Illumination, by Abu Hurairah al Sanani")
* Issue #2: Threats to Those Entering the Arabian Peninsula ("Bearing No Responsibility")

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