March 2, 2019
WASHINGTON: The US has launched a manhunt for Bin Laden's favourie and youngest
son, Hamza bin Laden, said to be emerging as his father's replacement. It on
last Thursday offeried a $1 million reward for information that "brings him
to justice." A Hamza photograph has been circulated on the US State Department’s
Twitter account.
Immediately following, Hamza has been stripped of his Saudi citizenship, State
newspaper Umm al-Qura said. "Bin Laden had his citizenship removed on February
22 by royal decree," it said.
Hamza bin Laden, of about 30 years, was named a "specially designated global
terrorist" two years ago by the US. He is currently hiding in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
Hamza was being groomed since Bin Laden's death to take on his father's mantle.
Osama bin Laden is believed to have fathered 20 to 26 children. Hamza is the
son of Osama's fifth wife, Khairiah, who was a child psychologist. He grew up
in al-Qaeda camps in Sudan and AfghanistanHamza married the daughter of Mohammed
Atta, a mastermind of the WTC attack.
"He has released audio and video messages on the Internet, calling on his
followers to launch attacks against the United States and its Western allies,
and he has threatened attacks against the United States in revenge for the May
2011 killing of his father by US military forces," the US State Department said
in a statement on Thursday.
Al-Qaida is emerging as more dangerous than ever before. It has tens of thousands
of militants across West Asia and Africa, according to reports.
Al-Qaeda's September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States killed some 3,000
people.
