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Al Qaeda Web journal resurfaces

Saudi policemen crowd around seized weapons at al-Rass, on April 6, where a three-day shootout between Saudi security forces and suspected militants reportedly left at least 14 suspected extremists dead, including Saud Homood Obaid al-Otaibi. (File/Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Saudi policemen crowd around seized weapons at al-Rass, on April 6, where a three-day shootout between Saudi security forces and suspected militants reportedly left at least 14 suspected extremists dead, including Saud Homood Obaid al-Otaibi. (File/Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

CAIRO, Egypt – An Internet journal purportedly issued by al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia appeared for the first time in several months Wednesday, and asked why Muslims on the Arabian peninsula have not heeded a call to hunt down Americans.

The magazine Sawt al-Jihad, or Voice of Holy War, said its reappearance was one of the last orders of Saud Homood Obaid al-Otaibi, the wanted militant who was killed in a battle with security forces in the central Saudi town of Rass on April 3. Al-Otaibi was No. 7 on the Saudi government’s list of the 26 Most Wanted militants.

The group “Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula” – the name used by the Saudi branch of al Qaeda – posted the journal on an Islamic Web site known to be a clearing house for militant statements.

The magazine acknowledged it had not appeared “for a few months,” but did not give a reason.

It is thought it was suspended because of the intensive Saudi crackdown on the terror group. The opening article of Wednesday’s issue refers to the fighting in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and asks readers: “Those who weren’t able to respond to the call of jihad (holy war), what deters you from hunting down Americans, killing the enemies of God, the crusaders and apostates in the Arabian peninsula and other countries?”

The peninsula includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Large numbers of U.S. troops are based in Bahrain – the home of the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet – Kuwait and Qatar.

On the last of its 50 pages, the magazine says its next edition will give a biography of a Moroccan member of al Qaeda, Kareem Altohami al-Mojati, who was No. 4 on the Most Wanted list and who was killed with al-Otaibi.

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The kingdom has waged a sweeping campaign against Islamic militants for the past two years, killing or capturing 23 men on the Most Wanted list.