Thread by @Dr_E_Kendall

1/ Important new video from #alQaeda in #Yemen features Sa'd al-Awlaqi. This rare appearance suggests how desperate #AQAP is to reach local tribes in #Abyan & #Shabwa. The message is overwhelmingly against #UAE, not #Iran as some commentators have said. Iran is barely mentioned

2/ #AQAP's Awlaqi accuses #UAE of igniting inter-tribal conflict & humiliating locals. Lists UAE aims in #Yemen as:
▪️Occupation
▪️Implementing plans of Jews & Christians
▪️Stripping Yemenis of religion, ethics, ties
▪️Stealing resources
▪️Disrupting trade
▪️Creating dependency

3/ In the new #AQAP video (11.40mins), #AlQaeda's Awlaqi mentions "The Emirates" as the enemy at least 8 times (many more if we count pronouns). #Iran is mentioned only twice, and as a relative afterthought following other enemies: UAE, Jews, Christians, America + henchmen.

4/ I see no tension between Awlaqi & Batarfi. Awlaqi's ties mean it makes sense for him (not Batarfi) to front this video as it's designed to persuade Shabwa & Abyan to shun UAE influence. Both men appear together & both cite the hadith of a victorious army arising in Aden-Abyan