New Delhi: Refuting claims that he was killed in a 2019 US airstrike, new intelligence has revealed that Hamza bin Laden, son of Osama bin Laden, has assumed leadership of al-Qaida. Once dubbed the “Crown Prince of Terror,” Hamza is now believed to be at the helm of the terror network’s resurgence, overseeing the establishment of new training camps in Afghanistan as al-Qaida rebuilds its ability to launch attacks on Western nations, according to The Times of India citing a Mirror reportage.
A report from the UK’s Mirror suggests that Hamza’s leadership has revitalised the group, which has deepened ties with the Taliban following the latter’s return to power in Afghanistan. His brother, Abdullah bin Laden, is also thought to be involved in al-Qaida’s operations, marking the rise of a new, family-led terror dynasty with a mission to spread global chaos, much like their father before them.
Hamza bin Laden and his four wives are believed to have sought refuge in Iran for several years to avoid CIA detection. Despite previous claims of his death, no DNA confirmation was ever provided. Recent intelligence suggests Hamza is now using safe houses across Afghanistan to facilitate al-Qaida’s operations, moving operatives to and from Iran.
A recent report from the National Mobilisation Front (NMF), an anti-Taliban military alliance, claims that Hamza bin Laden is hiding in northern Afghanistan, guarded by 450 snipers, and is plotting future attacks on Western targets.
This revelation of Hamza’s survival and leadership marks what could be the most significant revival of al-Qaida since the Iraq War. With new training camps reportedly being established in Afghanistan’s Helmand and Ghazni provinces—areas previously fought over by Western forces—experts warn of a potential new wave of terrorist activity. The report states that there could be as many as 21 separate terror networks operating within Afghanistan, making the country the world’s most concentrated terror hotspot.
