"Unclear Circumstances: Al-Qaida and Hamas Leaders Reportedly Dead in Recent Airstrikes"

Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) announced the death of its leader, Khalid al-Batarfi, without providing details on the cause. The U.S. had a $5 million bounty on him. The group named Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki as its new leader, who has a $6 million bounty on him. AQAP has been weakened in recent years due to infighting and U.S. drone strikes, but it remains the most dangerous branch of al-Qaida. The group has been involved in overseas attacks and has around 3,000 to 4,000 active fighters and passive members. Al-Batarfi took over as the head of the branch in 2020 and was believed to be influenced by al-Qaida fighter Saif al-Adl. AQAP has developed drone capabilities and has been targeted by U.S. drone strikes.