Al Qaeda Leaders

Al Qaeda is led not only by Osama bin Laden, but by a number of other key figures who strategize, plan or command operations. A key component of the current U.S. strategy in its war against terror is the capture and killing of Al Qaeda's leading members.

• Osama bin Laden: Founder, Head


• Ayman Al Zawahiri:Advisor, "second-in-command"


• Muhammad Ibrahim Makkawi: (nom de guerre: Sayf Al Adel, meaning "sword of justice") Considered to be a high level commander; may have played primary role establishing Al Qaeda in Iraq; believed by U.S. to be under house arrest in Iran, as of March 2007


• Suleyman Abu Ghaith: Spokesman; believed by U.S. to be under house arrest in Iran, as of March 2007


• Abu Musab Al Zarqawi: Charged by U.S. with being an important Al Qaeda head in Iraq; (killed in an American raid in Iraq, in June 2006)


• Muhammad Atef : (also called Abu Hafs Al Masri, and by other names) Joined bin Laden's Arab jihadists in Afghanistan in 1980s; charged by U.S. with connections to 1998 Al Qaeda bombings of U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya; killed by U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan in 2001


• Khaled Sheikh Muhammad: Considered to be behind multiple al Qaeda attacks, including the 9/11 attacks; ; captured in Pakistan)


• Abu Hafiza:High level stratetist and operations planner; Alleged to be part of Moroccan cell that provided planning for 9/11 attacks, as well as Madrid 2004 bombings

Also see:

Al Qaeda Profile | Osama bin Laden and Jihad | Osama bin Laden in Historical Context