Abdullah al-Asiri

Abdullah Hassan al-Asiri (Arabic: عبد الله حسن عسيري‎) (1986 – 27 August 2009) was a Saudi Arabian member of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.[1][2][3][4] His name is an ascription to the 'Asir Province of Saudi Arabia. He died in August 2009 while attempting to assassinate Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of the Interior, Muhammad bin Nayef, in a suicide bombing.

Abdullah Hassan al-Asiri
Born1986
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
DiedAugust 27, 2009 (aged 22–23)
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Cause of deathsuicide bombing
Other namesAbdullah Hassan Tali' al-Asiri
Abdullah al-Asiri
Abul Khair
CitizenshipSaudi Arabia
Known for(1) being listed on the Saudi most wanted list; (2) attempting to assassinate a Saudi Prince (3) hiding a suicide bomb in his anal canal (4) being the only fatality of the aforementioned bomb
RelativesIbrahim al-Asiri
(older brother)

Overview

According to the Saudi Gazette al-Asiri was reportedly recruited into al-Qaeda by his older brother Ibrahim al-Asiri and the two brothers reportedly visited Yemen in 2007.[1]

He initially rose to notability when he was named on a Saudi list of most wanted terrorist suspects on 3 February 2009, and then on 27 August 2009, for attempting to assassinate Saudi deputy minister of Interior, Muhammad bin Nayef, whom he only slightly injured in a suicide bombing.[2][5]

Al-Asiri spoke to Mohammed bin Nayef a few days prior to the bombing and expressed his desire to surrender to the authorities as part of the country's terrorist rehabilitation program,[6][7][8] and they agreed to meet.[9]

On 27 August 2009, Asiri queued up at Mohammed bin Nayef's Jeddah palace as a "well-wisher," a tradition in the kingdom during Ramadan. He exploded a suicide bomb (perhaps with a mobile phone), killing himself, but only lightly injuring bin Nayef (who was protected from the full force of the blast by Asiri's body).[10][11] Assisted by his older brother, Ibrahim al-Asiri, he had hidden a pound (about 0.45 kg) of PETN plastic explosives in his rectum and anal canal, which security experts described as a novel technique.[12][13] Asiri had passed through a metal detector and remained in the security of the Prince's bodyguards for over 24 hours before gaining the audience.[14] "I did not want him to be searched, but he surprised me by blowing himself up," said Mohammed bin Nayef.[15]

According to Al Arabiya, this was the first assassination attempt against a royal family member since 2003, when Saudi Arabia faced a sharp increase in al-Qaeda linked attacks.[16] The Saudi Gazette reported on October 22, 2009, that a Yemeni named Rayed Abdullah Salem Al Harbi assisted Asiri in preparing for his suicide mission.[17]

See also

References
  1. Abdullah Al-Oreifij (September 1, 2009). "Suicide bomber named". Saudi Gazette. Archived from the original on September 6, 2009. Retrieved August 2, 2009.
  2. Hammond, Andrew (August 30, 2009). "Saudi prince defends policy on militants". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 1, 2009.
  3. "Attack on Saudi prince raises Yemen stakes". United Press International. August 31, 2009. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012.
  4. "Al-Qaeda names Saudi Arabia bomber". Al Jazeera. August 30, 2009. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009.
  5. "Bizarre tale of Saudi bomber: Al-Qaida terrorist rode victim's private jet". Metro US. August 30, 2009. Archived from the original on September 1, 2009.
  6. Article in the Arab News from Monday August 31, 2009 (10 Ramadan 1430)
  7. "Al-Qaida claims attack that injured Saudi prince", Forbes.com, August 30, 2009
  8. Slackman, Michael (August 28, 2009), "Would-Be Killer Linked to Al Qaeda, Saudis Say", The New York Times, retrieved April 23, 2010
  9. "Saudi prince spoke to bomber on phone before attack". Reuters. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on September 17, 2017.
  10. Sherine Bahaa (September 3, 2009). "New evil in the making?". Al Ahram Weekly. Archived from the original on September 5, 2009.
  11. "Terrorist hid explosives in his bottom". Telegraph.co.uk. London. September 21, 2009. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
  12. "Saudi suicide bomber hid IED in his anal cavity", Homeland Security Newswire, September 9, 2009, archived from the original on December 31, 2009, retrieved January 4, 2010
  13. "Saudi Bombmaker Key Suspect in Yemen Plot". CBS News. Associated Press. November 1, 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  14. Aaronovitch, David, Even failed terrorists spell serious trouble The Times 29 December 2009
  15. "Saudi prince wounded by suicide bomber vows to fight Al-Qaida". Haaretz. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  16. "King commended the efforts of the Prince in the service of country and religion" (in Arabic). Al Arabiya. August 28, 2009. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
  17. Abdullah Al Oraifiji (October 22, 2009). "Jizan 3rd man a Saudi with 'very close ties to Al-Qaeda'". Saudi Gazette. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012.
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