Khalid Batarfi

Khalid Batarfi was the U.S.-designated Yemen-based leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).Oren Adaki, “AQAP Storms Yemeni Prison, Frees Jihadist Leader,” Long War Journal, April 2, 2015, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/04/aqap-storms-yemeni-prison-frees-al-qaeda-leader.php. He was reportedly a media specialist as well as a military commander who planned terrorist attacks in Yemen.“AQAP Militants Arrested,” Critical Threats, American Enterprise Institute, March 17, 2011, http://www.criticalthreats.org/hotspot/aqap-militants-arrested. He was formerly AQAP’s emir (leader) of Abyan, a province in southeastern Yemen and was reportedly a former member of AQAP’s governing shura council.“AQAP Militants Arrested,” Critical Threats, American Enterprise Institute, March 17, 2011, http://www.criticalthreats.org/hotspot/aqap-militants-arrested; Tucker Reals and Khaled Wassef, “Amid Yemen chaos, al Qaeda stages prison break,” CBS News, April 2, 2015, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/yemen-prison-break-aqap-senior-commander-saudi-bombing-campaign/. Al-Qaeda confirmed Batarfi as AQAP emir following the February 23, 2020 death of  Qasim al-Raymi.Gregory D. Johnsen, “Khalid Batarfi and the Future of AQAP,” Lawfare, March 22, 2020, https://www.lawfareblog.com/khalid-batarfi-and-future-aqap. On March 11, 2024, AQAP confirmed Batarfi’s death but did not elaborate on the cause.David Gritten, “Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch announces death of leader Khalid Batarfi,” BBC News, March 11, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68533649.

Batarfi was born in 1979 in the Saudi city of Riyadh. After graduating from secondary school in Jeddah, he studied underneath several famous Islamist scholars, including al-Qaeda linked ideologue Abu Qatada.“Who is Khalid Bātarfi,” JustPaste, July 12, 2015, https://justpaste.it/mb2f. According to a resume released by AQAP, Batarfi traveled to Afghanistan in 1999 to train at al-Qaeda’s al-Farouq camp. In 2001, Batarfi fought alongside the Taliban against the Northern Alliance and U.S. forces.“Al-Qaeda in Yemen publishes the biography of its current leaders,” Yemen-24.com, December 10, 2015, http://yemen-24.com/news20308.html.

In 2010, Batarfi joined AQAP in Yemen. That year, AQAP captured Yemen’s Abyan Province and named Batarfi its emir (leader).James Brandon, “AQAP Rebounds in Yemen Amid Airstrikes,” Jamestown Foundation, April 17, 2015, http://www.refworld.org/docid/5538ae3e4.html;
“Al-Qaeda in Yemen publishes the biography of its current leaders,” Yemen-24.com, December 10, 2015, http://yemen-24.com/news20308.html;
Richard Spencer, “The al-Qaeda commander at home in a governor’s palace,” Telegraph (London), April 4, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/11515401/The-al-Qaeda-commander-at-home-in-a-governors-palace.html. Yemeni security forces captured Batarfi in March 2011.“AQAP Militants Arrested,” Critical Threats, American Enterprise Institute, March 17, 2011, http://www.criticalthreats.org/hotspot/aqap-militants-arrested;
Umberto Bacchi, “Yemen: Al-Qaeda frees 300 in al-Mukalla prison attack,” International Business Times, April 2, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-frees-300-al-mukalla-prison-attack-1494697. He escaped from al-Mukalla’s central prison on April 2, 2015, in the course of an AQAP raid.“AQAP Militants Arrested,” Critical Threats, American Enterprise Institute, March 17, 2011, http://www.criticalthreats.org/hotspot/aqap-militants-arrested;
Umberto Bacchi, “Yemen: Al-Qaeda frees 300 in al-Mukalla prison attack,” International Business Times, April 2, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-frees-300-al-mukalla-prison-attack-1494697. Soon after his escape, Batarfi trampled on the Yemeni flag in the evacuated provincial palace in al-Mukalla.Umberto Bacchi, “Yemen: Al Qaeda operative Khalid Batarfi takes selfies inside Mukalla government,” International Business Times, April 4, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-operative-khalid-batarfi-takes-selfies-inside-mukalla-government-1494971. He also took photographs, including “selfies,” of himself brandishing an AK-47 inside the palace.Umberto Bacchi, “Yemen: Al Qaeda operative Khalid Batarfi takes selfies inside Mukalla government,” International Business Times, April 4, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-al-qaeda-operative-khalid-batarfi-takes-selfies-inside-mukalla-government-1494971.

Batarfi appeared in several AQAP videos and other propaganda. In August 2015, AQAP released a video of Batarfi praising Chattanooga shooter Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez and condemning “America, France, and other kufr nations.”“Al-Qaida calls for more lone wolf attacks, praises Chattanooga shooter,” Chattanooga Times Free Press, August 4, 2015, http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2015/aug/04/report-al-qaida-urges-more-lone-wolf-attacks-praises-chattanooga-shooter/318246/. When AQAP’s ideological leader Nasser bin Ali al-Ansi was killed by a U.S. drone strike in April 2015, Batarfi officially announced his death.“AQAP Leader Who Claimed Charlie Hebdo Attack Killed by U.S. Drone,” CBS, May 7, 2015, http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2015/05/07/cbs-ap-aqap-leader-who-claimed-charlie-hebdo-attack-killed-by-u-s-drone.html. In June 2016, Batarfi issued a statement praising AQAP leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi after he was killed in a U.S. air strike that month. Batarfi threatened that al-Qaeda would target the U.S. economy, attack U.S. interests, and “destroy them.”Cassandra Vinograd and Robert Windrem, “Al Qaeda confirms death of terrorist leader in US airstrike,” MSNBC, June 16, 2015, http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/al-qaeda-confirms-death-nasir-al-wuhayshi-aqap-leader.

In June 2017, Batarfi condemned Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt for severing ties with Qatar. Batarfi issued a statement of solidarity on behalf of AQAP after the four countries designated several Muslim Brotherhood- and al-Qaeda-related individuals in Qatar. Batarfi condemned the terror list as a “war against Muslims” and called all Islamic scholars, preachers, and groups to support “jihad” against “the tyrants.”Huda al-Saleh, “Al-Qaeda condemns boycott against Qatar, stands with the Muslim Brotherhood,” June 16, 2017, https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2017/06/16/Al-Qaeda-condemns-boycott-against-Qatar-stands-with-the-Muslim-Brotherhood.html.

On October 18, 2018, the U.S. Department of State offered a $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of Batarfi. On February 23, 2020, al-Qaeda confirmed AQAP leader Qasim al-Raymi’s death.“Al-Qaida Confirms Death of AQAP Leader,” Voice of America, February 23, 2020, https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/al-qaida-confirms-death-aqap-leader. On the same day, AQAP announced that it had selected Batarfi as the group’s new leader.Gregory D. Johnsen, “Khalid Batarfi and the Future of AQAP,” Lawfare, March 22, 2020, https://www.lawfareblog.com/khalid-batarfi-and-future-aqap.

On October 2, 2020, a pro-ISIS Telegram channel claimed that Batarfi turned himself into Yemeni forces following a Saudi-led raid in al-Mahrah. Allegedly, two key AQAP commanders were also killed in the raid.“Pro-ISIS Telegram Channel Alleges Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Leader Khalid Batarfi Turned Himself In To Yemeni Forces In Al-Mahrah During Raid That Killed Two Key Al-Qaeda Commanders,” The Middle East Media Research Institute, October 7, 2020, https://www.memri.org/jttm/pro-isis-telegram-channel-alleges-al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-aqap-leader-khalid-batarfi-turned; “Gulf of Aden Security Review,” Critical Threats, October 5, 2020, https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-october-5-2020#_edn4528c5682c5f4a0d107d760023177f711. On February 3, 2021, the U.N. Security Council released a report confirming Batarfi had been arrested in October 2020 and turned over to Saudi authorities.“Letter dated 21 January 2021 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities addressed to the President of the Security Council,” United Nations, February 3, 2021, https://undocs.org/S/2021/68. The following day, U.S. military officials disputed the report and claimed Batarfi had eluded capture and was still at large.Jared Szuba, “Updated: US disputes UN report on capture of Al-Qaeda’s top man in Yemen,” Al-Monitor, February 5, 2021, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/02/qaeda-yemen-capture-leader-un.html. AQAP later dispelled reports of Batarfi’s arrest on February 10 with the release of a video featuring Batarfi called “America and the Painful Seizure.” In the video, Batarfi referred to the January 6, 2021, U.S. riot—during which protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.—and called it “just the tip of the iceberg.” “Yemen al-Qaeda leader’s video belies UN report of capture,” Arab Weekly, February 11, 2021, https://thearabweekly.com/yemen-al-qaeda-leaders-video-belies-un-report-capture. AQAP issued a statement on April 8, 2021, denying the earlier U.N. report of Batarfi’s arrest. AQAP further accused the United Nations of lying to the public and of bias toward the West.Bridget Johnson, “AQAP Calls UN Claim of Leader’s Arrest ‘Miserable Attempt to Wage a Psychological War,’” Homeland Security Today, April 12, 2021, https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/counterterrorism/aqap-calls-un-claim-of-leaders-arrest-miserable-attempt-to-wage-a-psychological-war/.

Batarfi released a video on May 2, 2023, in which he condemned Saudi Arabia’s rapprochement with Iran. According to Batarfi, the kingdom submitted to the “Shia” and the Houthi leaders of Yemen’s de facto government, whom Batarfi refers to as “Iran’s agents.” Batarfi further claimed that AQAP is the true defender of Yemen’s Sunnis and encourages the Sunni population to carry out violence against “Iran and America’s agents.”“Yemen: AQAP denounces Saudi-Iran rapprochement calls on Sunnis to take up jihad,” Middle East Monitor, May 2, 2023, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230502-yemen-aqap-denounces-saudi-iran-rapprochement-calls-on-sunnis-to-take-up-jihad/.

Following the onset of Hamas’s War against Israel on October 7, 2023, AQAP released a video in which Batarfi extolled the attack which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people and the capture of approximately 240 civilian and military hostages.“Israel revises Hamas attack death toll to ‘around 1,200,’” Reuters, November 10, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-revises-death-toll-oct-7-hamas-attack-around-1200-2023-11-10/. Released on October 29, “Questions and Answers Regarding Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” the video also featured Batarfi encouraging Muslims and jihadis to continue attacks, particularly against Israel, U.S. citizens, the United Kingdom, and France.“Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula Leader Batarfi Approves Of 'Inspiring' Hamas Attack, Encourages Killing Of 'Jews, Americans, And British' Citizens, Claims 9/11 Attacks Are The 'Best Example' To Deter U.S.,” Middle East Media Research Institute, October 30, 2023, https://www.memri.org/jttm/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-leader-batarfi-approves-inspiring-hamas-attack-encourages-killing.

On March 11, 2024, AQAP released a video announcing the death of Batarfi. The reasons behind his demise were not revealed. In the same statement, AQAP announced veteran member Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki as Batarfi’s successor.David Gritten, “Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch announces death of leader Khalid Batarfi,” BBC News, March 11, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68533649.

Also Known As

Extremist entity
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
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Type(s) of Organization:
Insurgent, non-state actor, religious, terrorist, transnational, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
Position(s):
Leader, media specialist, propagandist, military commander (deceased)

AQAP is the union of al-Qaeda’s affiliated branches in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. AQAP has claimed responsibility for terror attacks and plots worldwide, including the January 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris.

  • Designations
  • Rhetoric

United States

  • The U.S. Department of State designated Khalid Batarfi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on January 23, 2018.“State Department Terrorist Designation of Khalid Batarfi,” U.S. Department of State, January 23, 2018, https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/01/277593.htm.

Oct. 29, 2023

Video entitled “Questions and Answers Regarding Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”:

“We call on our Muslim brethren everywhere, in the West and the East, in Muslim and non-Muslim lands, to kill every Jew, American, and British citizen, for by Allah those will never be deterred without similar blessed acts.”“Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula Leader Batarfi Approves Of ‘Inspiring’ Hamas Attack, Encourages Killing Of ‘Jews, Americans, And British’ Citizens, Claims 9/11 Attacks Are The ‘Best Example’ To Deter U.S.,” Middle East Media Research Institute, October 30, 2023, https://www.memri.org/jttm/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-leader-batarfi-approves-inspiring-hamas-attack-encourages-killing.

Oct. 29, 2023

Video entitled “Questions and Answers Regarding Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”:

“There needs to be a deterrent to dissuade these enemies, and there is no better example than the 9/11 attack, and all operations before and after it.”“Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula Leader Batarfi Approves Of ‘Inspiring’ Hamas Attack, Encourages Killing Of ‘Jews, Americans, And British’ Citizens, Claims 9/11 Attacks Are The ‘Best Example’ To Deter U.S.,” Middle East Media Research Institute, October 30, 2023, https://www.memri.org/jttm/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-leader-batarfi-approves-inspiring-hamas-attack-encourages-killing.

Oct. 29, 2023

Video entitled “Questions and Answers Regarding Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”:

“Center your focus these days on the Jews and the Americans everywhere. Sink their vessels, down their planes, raid their barracks, and eliminate every one of their soldiers. Do not spare any barracks or any event without attacking them. This is your duty. Strike them in their own backyard and everywhere. The world today is an arena for Muslims’ operations against Jews, the Americans, British, and French citizens, and all who stood with the Jews and the Crusaders against the Islamic ummah.”“Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula Leader Batarfi Approves Of ‘inspiring’ Hamas Attack, Encourages Killing Of ‘Jews, Americans, And British’ Citizens, Claims 9/11 Attacks Are The ‘Best Example’ To Deter U.S.,” Middle East Media Research Institute, October 30, 2023, https://www.memri.org/jttm/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-leader-batarfi-approves-inspiring-hamas-attack-encourages-killing.

Feb. 10, 2021

Video entitled “America and the Painful Seizure”:

“Storming the Congress is only the tip of the iceberg of what will come to them, God willing.”“Yemen al-Qaeda leader’s video belies UN report of capture,” Arab Weekly, February 11, 2021, https://thearabweekly.com/yemen-al-qaeda-leaders-video-belies-un-report-capture.

Jan. 2018

“Groups of Afghan Mujahideen have emerged from the land of Afghans that will destroy the biggest idol and head of kufr of our time, America.”Thomas Joscelyn, “Senior AQAP leader added to US terror list by State Department,” Long War Journal, January 23, 2018, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/01/senior-aqap-leader-added-to-us-terror-list-by-state-department.php.

Jan. 2018

Video entitled “Our Duty Towards Our Jerusalem” in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital:

“The Muslims inside the occupied land must kill every Jew, by running him over, or stabbing him, or by using against him any weapon, or by burning their homes.”Callum Paton, “Al-Qaeda Calls for Muslims to Attack Americans and Jews Over Trump’s Jerusalem Decision,” Newsweek, January 23, 2018, http://www.newsweek.com/al-qaeda-calls-muslims-attack-americans-and-jews-over-trumps-jerusalem-787800.

Jan. 2018

Video entitled “Our Duty Towards Our Jerusalem” in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital:

“Let them [Muslims] rise and attack the Jews and the Americans everywhere … No Muslim has the right to cede Jerusalem no matter what happens … Only a traitor would give it up or hand it over.”Callum Paton, “Al-Qaeda Calls for Muslims to Attack Americans and Jews Over Trump’s Jerusalem Decision,” Newsweek, January 23, 2018, http://www.newsweek.com/al-qaeda-calls-muslims-attack-americans-and-jews-over-trumps-jerusalem-787800.

June 2017

Calls on all Islamic scholars, preachers, and students of theology and all factions of Islamist groups to “incite and encourage the jihad and dismiss nationalist patriotic sentiment…We advise all of those who flattered the tyrants and justified their crime to fear God and regret their actions. The tyrants don’t believe in the channels of communications.”Huda al-Saleh, “Al-Qaeda condemns boycott against Qatar, stands with the Muslim Brotherhood,” June 16, 2017, https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2017/06/16/Al-Qaeda-condemns-boycott-against-Qatar-stands-with-the-Muslim-Brotherhood.html.

June 2016

Message to United States:
“[ Al-Qaeda will] target your economy … attack your interests and destroy them.”Cassandra Vinograd and Robert Windrem, “Al Qaeda confirms death of terrorist leader in US airstrike,” MSNBC, June 16, 2015, http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/al-qaeda-confirms-death-nasir-al-wuhayshi-aqap-leader.

August 2015

AQAP propaganda video:
“And as you put limits to freedom of expression and punish whomever goes against them, it is upon us to punish whoever transgresses out boundaries and sanctities.”“Al-Qaida calls for more lone wolf attacks, praises Chattanooga shooter,” Chattanooga Times Free Press, August 4, 2015, http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2015/aug/04/report-al-qaida-urges-more-lone-wolf-attacks-praises-chattanooga-shooter/318246/.

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Fact:

On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers. 

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