Tariq al-Dahab (1974 to 1977 – 15 February 2012), was the AQAP

Emir Emir (; ar, أمير ' ), sometimes transliterated amir, amier, or ameer, is a word of Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person possessing actual or cerem ...

in the

Rada'a District Rada'a District ( ar, مُدِيْرِيَّة رَدَاع) is a district of the Al Bayda Governorate, Yemen. As of 2003, the district had a population of 56,382 inhabitants. The district's largest city is Rada'a, east of Dhamar, as the crow fl ...

. He was the brother in law of Al-Qaeda leader

Anwar al-Awlaki Anwar Nasser al-Awlaki (also spelled al-Aulaqi, al-Awlaqi; ar, أنور العولقي, Anwar al-‘Awlaqī; April 21 or 22, 1971 – September 30, 2011) was an American imam who was killed in 2011 in Yemen by a U.S. government drone stri ...

by his sister. He was a member of the powerful al-Dahab clan.

As the Emir of Rada'a

In the middle of January 2012, he led an offensive in the

, and succeeded in capturing it. While in control of the city, Tariq flew

al Qaeda Al-Qaeda (; , ) is an Islamic extremist organization composed of Salafist jihadists. Its members are mostly composed of Arabs, but also include other peoples. Al-Qaeda has mounted attacks on civilian and military targets in various countr ...

’s banner in the city buildings and his fighters swore allegiance to

Ayman al-Zawahiri Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri (June 19, 1951 – July 31, 2022) was an Egyptian-born terrorist and physician who served as the second emir of al-Qaeda from June 16, 2011, until his death. Al-Zawahiri graduated from Cairo University with ...

, Qaeda's overall Emir. He then released a short videotape urging Muslims “to unite and be patient” as “the Islamic Caliphate is coming.” His half brother, however, Hizamm was one of several tribal leaders who convinced Tariq to withdraw his fighters from Rada’a. In exchange, some 400 of his AQAP fighters, including Hizam's and Tariq's younger brother, Nabil al-Dahab, were freed from government custody. Also, the tribal leaders promised to enforce sharia, or Islamic law, in Rada’a.

Death

A month later, on 15 February, Dahab was killed in a family feud and an ensuing gun battle between his followers and the followers of his half brother, Hizam al-Dahab, who was a follower of

Ali Abdullah Saleh Ali Abdullah Saleh al-Ahmar (, ''ʿAlī ʿAbdullāh Ṣāliḥ al-Aḥmar;'' 21 March 1947There is a dispute as to Saleh's date of birth, some saying that it was on 21 March 1942. See: However, by Saleh's own confession, he was born in 1947 al ...

. Hizam and his supporters then fled the scene, taking refuge in another house. Tariq's followers led by another brother, Qaed al-Dahab, pursued them and a battle ensued, leaving 16 dead, including Hizam. Tariq was 35 years old when he was killed. A US intelligence official who closely tracks Yemen and AQAP said Nabil and Qaid will succeed Tariq as the new Emirs for Rada'a. Later, AQAP issued a eulogy and acknowledged Tariq's death.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dahab, Tariq Yemeni al-Qaeda members Assassinated al-Qaeda leaders Al-Qaeda leaders 2012 deaths 1974 births