FUGITIVES OF THE PENINSULA

SEGMENT I: Foundations In A Franchise Of Fear

Operatives loyal to Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida jihadist organizaion coalesce to achieve a multitude of accomplishments in the Arabian Peninsula, from the development of a recruiting and financial network to fund the al-Qaida training and operational apparatus in Afghanistan, to the creation of a viable plot against American interests. From the cell that perpetrated the USS COLE bombing to the facilitation nexus, these militants are forced to adjust tactics and aspirations post-9/11 , with the lofty goals of continued attacks on Western assets and the eventual incitement of a radical Islamic revolution through the region.

SEGMENT II: Land Of Peace, Children Of War

The militant returnees from the Afghan war theatre, their recruits, and their ideologues enmesh with the remains of the previous al-Qaida regional nexus, to prematurely launch a misguided insurgency aimed at disrupting and destabilizing the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Commenced at the behest of al-Qaida leadership, the campaign is traced from its origins in the Riyadh Compound bombings to the notorious Muhaya attack. Simultaneously, the Saudis prepare and operate their own offensive against the militants, while issuing a 19 person most wanted terrorist list.

SEGMENT III: A War With The Angel Of Death

The militant terror campaign reaches an apex under the command of Abdulaziz al-Muqrin, the determined and brutal al-Qaida lieutenant. Herein, the story is traced from the aftermath of Muhaya, and chronicles the rapid rise and fall of Muqrin, upon whom the media bestow the moniker “al-Qaida’s Angel of death”. The Saudis focus their efforts on a new 26 person most wanted list in response to the continued aggression. From Muqrin’s ambitious car bombing plots and abductions, to the simple but lethal and effective assault raids in Yanbu and Khobar, the story describes the evolving insurgency.

SEGMENT IV: Violence Infinitum

The violence continues even after the militants suffer devastating leadership losses. Immediately, they name new commanders, and while the organization seems divided, they are nonetheless united in common ambitions within the Kingdom. The story here details the slow and methodical rebuilding of the network and its abilities through 2004, resulting in destructive operations in multiple locations. The Saudis continue pursuit of the most wanted militants, first via a failed amnesty offer, and then by combatting them before and after each attack, eventually culminating in a fierce climactic battle at al-Ras.

SEGMENT V: A Kingdom Bleeds Black

Despite being seemingly crippled after al-Ras, the network retains enough organization to rally and attempt to perpetrate attacks with repercussions well beyond the region, aiming to disupt the Kingdom’s invaluable oil flow. Preemptively, the Saudis issue yet more most wanted lists, with one aimed at the remains of the internal militant network, and as a first, another aimed at militants abroad, committed to jihad in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. It is a stunning admission by the Saudis, but their focus was intently on eliminating the imminent threat from within, by whatever force necessary.

SEGMENT VI: A Subdued Silence

Alarmingly, with the al-Qaida presence in Saudi Arabia thoroughly defeated, their Yemeni nexus was immediately rejuvenated through the prison escape of multiple notorious operatives at once. Rapidly, they reengage in terror, and commence building a broad network relying of tribal allegiances, while taking advantage of a weak government’s willingness to allow continued freedom for the escapees. Resuming familiar tactics against local and Western interests, the revitalized al-Qaida franchise insidiously evolves into a global threat, and while some diverge, most of the militants align with a veteran commander.

SEGMENT VII: Of An Unholy Merger

Unexpectedly, as the al-Qaida Yemeni nexus solidifies into a significant regional threat, its leadership announces the union of their forces with the previous Saudi insurgency. While the original Saudi jihadist leadership has collapsed, the militants from the Kingdom are disturbingly led by former Guantanamo detainees, ostensibly rehabilitated by their government. As a clear display of this failure, the newly merged organization launches its most audacious assassination attempt. The Saudis again respond with a new wanted list. While the new AQAP flourishes, its ideologues extend their reach and influence far abroad.

SEGMENT VIII: Occupation Of The Sky

Displaying the propensity for persistant aggressions against American interests, AQAP rapidly approaches the opportunity to strike again within the US. However, responding to the Fort Hood massacre, the US military intervenes against the organization overtly for the first time, thus precipitating a flurry of strikes and counter strikes between the two entities. The airstrikes target a hierarchy now deeply entrenched in the Peninsula. American assets aim to gain the advantage over the skies of Yemen, while AQAP through their own nefarious means strive to shatter the security of US air travel and transport.

SEGMENT IX: To Inspire An Insurrection

A malevolent aim to obtain and rule territory and populace is approached by AQAP through an unrelenting campaign of minor attacks, to include assassinations and assaults. Yet the jihadists are but one segment of a fracturing Yemen. Paralleling the violence, is a focused outreach and rebranded propaganda, centered on an English language magazine entitled Inspire. For a final time, the Saudis are compelled to release another wanted list of their militants abroad. Many names belong to the rosters of AQAP, as do some from a forgotten FBI issuance from years prior. All are viable targets for justice via increasing drone strikes.

SEGMENT X: Chaos Sans Conclusion

Chaos engulfed Yemen, but AQAP and their Ansar al-Shariah officials were not immune to internal conflicts of their own. US airstrikes expanded, rendering Yemen in similarity to the ambitious drone campaigns of other theatres. Separately, even as the seemingly insurmountable lists of wanted Saudis were diminished, the endeavor was indicative of a perpetual conflict. The Yemenis with government and stability torn asunder, nonetheless ventured towards attempts to dismantle the AQAP emirate of Waqar. AQAP displayed a willingness to pursue complex plots still, with the struggle and chaos sans conclusion.