Al Qaeda’s propaganda arm, As Sahab, has released the latest episode in Hamza bin Laden’s lecture series on the history of Saudi Arabia. The series began in Aug. 2016, when the junior bin Laden called for the overthrow of the Saudi monarchy. Hamza has returned to criticize the Saudi royals several times since then.

Hamza uses the occasion to once again warn that the Shiites are expanding throughout the Middle East, including “toward the Two Holy Places,” meaning Saudi Arabia’s holy mosques. He accuses the Saudi government of being incapable of stopping this Iranian-led expansion and he calls upon Muslims to support the jihadists’ cause in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Shiites are advancing “from the outside on several fronts and from the inside as well,” but the House of Saud has demonstrated a “shameful inability” to confront them, Hamza claims. This means the Saudi government is “not eligible to defend the Two Holy Mosques.”

After attempting to undermine the legitimacy of the Saudi regime, Hamza calls “upon our people in the Arabian Peninsula to prepare the equipment and materials, and prepare to protect the Two Holy Mosques from the Rafidah Safavid (Shiites), and to support their mujahidin brothers in Yemen.” He specifically addresses “Muslim merchants,” saying this is their opportunity “to obtain the honor of preparing an army to protect the Two Holy Mosques.”

Hamza also implores “young Muslims” to join their “mujahidin brothers in Yemen” and “gain the necessary experience from them.”

 

Read more:  Long War Journal