Abdullah al-Asiri
Abdullah Hassan al-Asiri | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1986 |
| Died | 27 August 2009 (aged 22–23) Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| Cause of death | Suicide bombing |
| Other names | Abdullah Hassan Tali' al-Asiri Abdullah al-Asiri Abul Khair |
| Citizenship | Saudi 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 |
| Relatives | Ibrahim al-Asiri (older brother) |
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, with a suicide bomb.
Biography
Al-Asiri was recruited into al-Qaeda by his older brother Ibrahim al-Asiri, and the two brothers visited Yemen in 2007.[1]
He was named on a Saudi list of most wanted terrorist suspects on 3 February 2009.[2][5]
In August 2009 he spoke to Muhammad bin Nayef and expressed a desire to surrender to the authorities as part of the country's terrorist rehabilitation program,[6][7][8] and they agreed to meet.[9] A few days later, on 27 August 2009 Asiri queued up at Muhammad bin Nayef's Jeddah palace as a "well-wisher," a tradition in the kingdom during Ramadan. 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, described by security experts as a novel technique.[10][11] He exploded the 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.[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 Muhammad bin Nayef.[15]
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] A Yemeni, Rayed Abdullah Salem Al Harbi, assisted Asiri in preparing for his suicide mission.[17]
See also
References
- ^ a b Abdullah Al-Oreifij (September 1, 2009). "Suicide bomber named". Saudi Gazette. Archived from the original on September 6, 2009. Retrieved August 2, 2009.
- ^ a b Hammond, Andrew (August 30, 2009). "Saudi prince defends policy on militants". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 1, 2009.
- ^ "Attack on Saudi prince raises Yemen stakes". United Press International. August 31, 2009. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012.
- ^ "Al-Qaeda names Saudi Arabia bomber". Al Jazeera. August 30, 2009. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Article in the Arab News from Monday August 31, 2009 (10 Ramadan 1430)
- ^ "Al-Qaida claims attack that injured Saudi prince", Forbes.com, August 30, 2009
- ^ Slackman, Michael (August 28, 2009), "Would-Be Killer Linked to Al Qaeda, Saudis Say", The New York Times, retrieved April 23, 2010
- ^ "Saudi prince spoke to bomber on phone before attack". Reuters. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on September 17, 2017.
- ^ "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
- ^ "Saudi Bombmaker Key Suspect in Yemen Plot". CBS News. Associated Press. November 1, 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ Sherine Bahaa (September 3, 2009). "New evil in the making?". Al Ahram Weekly. Archived from the original on September 5, 2009.
- ^ "Terrorist hid explosives in his bottom". Telegraph.co.uk. London. September 21, 2009. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
- ^ Aaronovitch, David, Even failed terrorists spell serious trouble The Times 29 December 2009
- ^ "Saudi prince wounded by suicide bomber vows to fight Al-Qaida". Haaretz. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.