Al-Qaeda in Yemen has released a message of hope and resilience on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, acknowledging the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza while highlighting what it sees as encouraging signs of militant advances in Somalia and the Sahel.
In a three-page statement issued on March 30 through its social media channels, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQA) extended Eid greetings to Muslims around the world, while also expressing solidarity with the “mujahdin” fighting in various parts of the globe.
The statement began by acknowledging the hardships faced by Muslims in Gaza and other parts of the world, but quickly shifted to a more optimistic tone, citing what it described as “glad tidings” and positive signs from militant groups in Somalia and the Sahel. It is striking that the statement could not strike an optimistic tone about its own situation in Yemen given the hardship faced by its own militants and its relative lack of operational success in recent months.
AQAP noted that this year’s Eid marked a significant milestone for Syrians, who are celebrating their first Eid free from the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. However, the group stopped short of praising the current Islamist-led government in Syria, reflecting ongoing dissatisfaction among hardline Islamists and al-Qaeda over the failure to implement full Sharia rule in the country. Tellingly the group also failed to acknowledge the hardship faced by its former fighters in Hurras al-Din (HaD). HaD publicly disbanded having claimed to have achieved its mission earlier this year but fighters aligned to the group have endured a sustained period of US airstrikes with several former HaD leadership officials killed in 2025.
The statement also highlighted the seventh Eid celebration under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, which AQAP described as a victory for Muslims in the country. The group prayed for similar victories to be granted to militant groups in Somalia and the Sahel, where al-Qaeda’s affiliates al-Shabab and JNIM are active.
Al-Shabab and JNIM are considered two of al-Qaeda’s most active and deadly branches globally, and have been responsible for numerous attacks in recent years. The statement’s reference to “news of victories” and “signs of conquests” in Somalia and the Sahel is likely intended to boost morale among jihadist supporters and sympathizers. Sceptics could argue that its optimism surrounding the successes of its African affiliates is a message more in hope that the only remaining “successful” elements associated to al-Qaeda do not seek to breakaway in a similar manner to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). HTS were previously aligned to al-Qaeda but publicly denounced this association prior to its offensive which saw the group’s leader assume control of the new Syrian regime. There are believed to be fears amongst al-Qaeda senior leadership that al-Shabaab and JNIM will follow suit in their pursuits of establishing Islamic territories in Greater Somalia and the Sahel.
The AQAP statement concluded with a prayer for the release of all Muslim prisoners, likely referring to individuals with Islamist or jihadist affiliations held on terrorism-related charges, and for the removal of all “tyrants” from Muslim lands.
The message is an attempt by al-Qaeda to project a sense of optimism and momentum, despite facing significant challenges and setbacks in recent years.