This letter was authored by Usama bin Ladin and addressed to Shaykh Mahmud (`Atiyya
`Abdul Rahman) on 27 August 2010. Mahmud is specifically directed to tell “Basir,” who is Nasir
al-Wuhayshi (Abu Basir), the leader of al-Qa`ida in the Arabian Peninsula, to remain in his role
(presumably in response to a request from Abu Basir that Anwar al-`Awlaqi take his position), and
for him to send“us a detailed and lengthy” version of al-`Awlaqi’s resume. `Atiyya is also told to
ask Basir and Anwar al-`Awlaqi for their“vision in detail about the situation” in Yemen. References
are also made in the letter to the 2010 floods in Pakistan, a letter from Bin Ladin’s son Khalid to
`Abd al-Latif, al-Qa`ida’s media plan for the 9/11 anniversary, and the need for the ”brothers
coming from Iran” to be placed in safe locations. |