After the assassination of Osama bin Laden, doubt remained on the identity of the one who was going to replace him at the head of the Al Qaida organization. Because one thing was certain, Al Qaida was not going to “disappear” after the death of Bin Laden.
In this sense, and according to the Reuters agency, which quotes Noman Benotman, a specialist in the organization and former member of the Islamist movement, it is an Egyptian who has just taken the reins of Al Qaida. His interim will continue until oaths of allegiance to Ayman Al Zaouahiri, are united. As a reminder, the latter is also Egyptian and is the number two of Al Qaida.
But who is Saif Al Adel? And why does the terrorist organization need someone to their head, even temporarily? Saif Al Adel is considered by the Americans to be one of the main military executives of the organization. He would even be involved in the attacks that targeted the American embassies of Nairobi and Dar Essalam in 98. In addition, he would be the creator of the training camps created in the early 90s Ausoudan and Afghanistan.
According to Benotman, it is the manifest impatience of the jihadists who showed their concern against the emptiness at the head of the organization after the death of Bin Laden, who pushed Saif Al Adel to take control. Nevertheless, he only prepares the enthronement of Al Zaouahiri at the head of Al Qaida.