AQAP stands for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. It is a terrorist organization that emerged in January 2009 as a merger between two regional branches of Al-Qaeda, namely Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia and Al-Qaeda in Yemen. AQAP has since become one of the most significant and active branches of Al-Qaeda, operating primarily in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, but also conducting operations in the wider Middle East and worldwide.
AQAP is known for its radical ideology, which promotes violent extremist activities, including terrorism, against Western interests and governments it perceives as collaborating with the West. The group aims to establish an Islamic state governed by strict adherence to its interpretation of Islamic law (Sharia). AQAP is responsible for numerous attacks, including suicide bombings, assassinations, and armed assaults, as well as attempted attacks on aviation and other transportation targets.
The organization has gained notoriety for its sophisticated operational planning, innovative bomb-making techniques, and ability to exploit local conflicts and power vacuums to expand its influence. AQAP has also actively sought to inspire and recruit individuals from around the world through social media propaganda and online radicalization efforts.
Due to its global jihadist agenda and attempts to carry out attacks against Western targets, AQAP has been designated as a terrorist organization by various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia, among others. International efforts to counter AQAP involve military operations, intelligence sharing, and financial sanctions in order to disrupt and dismantle the organization, its leadership structure, and its capabilities.
