All Things Soldier: Hamza bin Laden, A Chip Off The Ol’ Block
It is difficult to believe that it has been six years since a SEAL team took out Osama bin Laden, and I would guess that the recent jihadist “inspirational and instructional” video released by his son, Hamza, was done so to commemorate the death of his father. One thing is clear: Hamza is most definitely his father’s child. He unequivocally calls for the type of jihad that we have been told constitutes the hi-jacking of “the religion of peace,” and Hamza looks to be the new “hijacker-in-chief.” Once upon a time Hamza was considered the “poster-child” of the movement, and was nowhere near the compound in Pakistan where his father and others were killed. He has sworn, however, to follow in his father’s footsteps, and below we’ll discuss some of Hamza’s call to action, which is also known as “Advice For Martyrdom Seekers In The West.” It is about ten minutes long, and is surprisingly transparent. In any case, it is a reminder that we need to be vigilant, especially when we are in crowded places.
Individual jihadists need to “avenge” the “children of Syria,” the “widows of Palestine,” the “free honorable women of Iraq,” and “the orphans of Afghanistan.” Forgive me while I particularly choke on the use of the word “free” when it comes to describing the women of Iraq. Trust me, they ain’t free.
“Exercise patience and deliberation, for it is among the qualities loved by Allah and His Messenger, peace be upon Him,” says Hamza. “Accomplish your goals with secrecy. Attain the highest level of perfection in your actions, exercise utmost care and caution, and prepare diligently to inflict crippling losses on those who have disbelieved.”
“Be perfect in your choice of targets, so that you may damage your enemies more,” Hamza advises. “Be professional in your choice of weapons. It is not necessary that it should be a military tool. If you are able to pick a firearm, well and good; if not, the options are many.”
“Know that inflicting punishment on Jews and Crusaders where you are present is more vexing and severe for the enemy,” Hamza asserts. “It is sharper than a hundred warheads directed against their agents.” Please note that now that the fight has been brought to us, our need is to be both vigilant as well as unafraid. Tough to do, and only by grace.
“Next, look out for Jewish interests everywhere.” But if the jihadist is not able to locate these, then “target American Crusaders.”
“If you are unable to go for American Crusaders, target the interests of the Crusader member states of NATO,” he says. “And since Russia has forgotten what it tasted in Chechnya and Afghanistan, and has returned once again to interfere in matters concerning Islam, do not exclude it from your targets of priority. Give Russia a pertinent reminder of the days of your predecessors.”
Is it too cheeky to posit that President Trump may not have been out of line at all when he discussed with Russians in a semi-private setting the fact that they are targets, too, and laptops are the current airborne IED of choice? If Hamza wants jihadists to give Russia “a pertinent reminder,” I think you can connect the dots.
This column is usually dedicated to the concerns of those in uniform who serve us, up to and including making the ultimate sacrifice. Clearly the playing field has been leveled, and it’s time we recognize that if Hamza bin Laden has his way, the way of his father, we as private citizens may be called upon to give in the same way as those we honor in the month of May.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner