Some recent publications released by Al-Qaeda and ISIS linked groups appear to have adopted the slain Saudi commentator Jamal Khashoggi as a ‘martyr’.
The latest edition of al-Masra, a publication produced by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), focuses heavily on the killing of Jamal Khashoggi while criticizing and condemning Saudi rulers, specially the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS). The publication also condemns the West for what it says is its ‘hypocrisy’ in the case of Khashoggi, who made a name for himself by opposing Israel and supporting Islamist causes in the region. The latest edition of al-Masra also accuses MBS and Saudi Royal family for “grave human rights violations” in the Yemen war.
The al-Masra publication had been defunct since last 16 months but was brought back to life just this week. The latest issue of al-Masra, which consisted of a total of 8 pages, dedicated 4 pages to Jamal Khashoggi and Saudi Arabia.
Similarly, al-Abd al-Faqir Media, which is believed to be close to Islamic State central, released a poster that depicts Saudi Crown Prince with a chainsaw who is about to slaughter Jamal Khashoggi. The poster, like the al-Qaeda publication al-Masra, accuses the West of hypocrisy.