(JNi.media) Al-Qaeda on Saturday released an audio message it said had been issued by Osama bin Laden’s son Hamza. As could be expected, the message urged the faithful to move the war from Kabul, Gaza, and Baghdad, and launching more “lone wolf” jihadist attacks in London, Washington, Paris and Tel Aviv.
Rita Katz, director of the terror intelligence group Site, tweeted this weekend that “Hamza Bin Laden’s audio was recorded prior to June 2015.”
Hamza bin Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden, aka Hamza bin Laden, or just Hamza Laden, 24, is one of the sons of Osama bin Laden. His brother Khalid was killed in the 2011 Navy SEAL assassination raid that took out his father.
Osama Bin Laden fathered an estimated 20 to 26 children with an estimated six wives, according to Amy Zalman’s “Profile: Osama bin Laden.” Many of bin Laden’s children have reportedly fled to Iran after the September 11, 2001 attacks and are under the control of the Iranian authorities.
Rita Katz also tweeted this weekend: “Hamza Bin Laden lived the life of jihad with his father throughout Al Qaeda’s creation in Afghanistan.”
Most reports suggest Hamza bin Laden is believed to be in his mid-20s, and is boasting the title “Crown Prince of Terror.”
Back in 2008, The Sun published a story headlined “Bin Laden’s son in web terror rant,” reporting that the baby-faced Hamza Bin Laden “just 16 but already dubbed the Crown Prince of Terror,” called on his fans to “accelerate the destruction of America, Britain, France and Denmark.”
At the time, Danish media were engaged in showing cartoons of the prophet Mohammed.
The teenager Hamza continued: “Oh God, reward the fighters hitting the infidels and defectors. Oh God, guide the youth of the Islamic nation and let them assist with the fighters’ plans. God, be pleased with those who want to go for jihad — and blind those who are watching and want to capture them.”
The lyrics, rapped by Hamza himself over a video clip with familiar, old footage of his father, followed an introduction that announced: “We now offer you a new poem by Sheikh Hamza Bin Laden, may God protect him.”
It may be that al-Qaeda, which has been losing popularity and a following to newcomer ISIL Caliphate, is looking to the young man to become their ticket to new influence in the region and in the Islamic world. As Katz put it: “AQ leadership wants Hamza as a future leader: someone loved & inspirational, without a negative reputation or participation in infighting.”
“With Hamza, AQ hopes to renew the popularity of AQ by reviving the brand of ‘AQ = Bin Laden,’” Katz ventured.
It should be noted that, according to Katz, “Though Hamza Bin Laden mentioned Jihadi fronts and leaders from around the world, no mention of #ISIS & its leaders.”
