Speaking in a video clip that was posted on a website, Zawahri, who took over the leadership of al Qaeda after Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan just over a year ago, said: "Muslim brothers in the land of the holy mosques, a year has passed since the uprising of the Arab people against their rulers...my dear brothers why do you still accept to be ruled by the al Saud family. They are one of the worst corrupt governments who steal your money," he said.
"Why don't you rise up (against the al Sauds) as you are the companions of the Prophet," he added.
Saudi Arabia has been spared the mass protests that have forced four Arab heads of state out of office, partly thanks to a big public spending package announced by the world's largest oil exporter early last year.
But the kingdom's Eastern Province has seen sporadic demonstrations since March last year, and in November four people were killed, according to the Interior Ministry and activists.
Protesters' demands have so far focused on political reform in the mainly Sunni kingdom, with calls to improve life for the country's Shia minority and to release political prisoners.
Security forces have arrested and released around 500 people over the protests, and are currently holding 80 people, according to activists.
COMMENTS (12)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
-(1)1714116455-0/Heeramandireactions-(2)-(1)1714116455-0-270x192.webp)
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
Time up for monarchy. US showed its intention via Zawahiri. Time to ally with Pakistan, China, Russia against US.
So now USA wants another state to become Libya
What benefit have the people got after the so called "revolution" in other Arab countries? I don't see any reason for the people of KSA to rise against the current regime
Soon after issuing this statement, Zawahri picked up his suitcase, ran out through the back door and hopped into the waiting car.
It's pathetic to note Saudis do less for the betterment of Islam n more for it's distraction, interestingly all such acts are done so silently that people realize years after. USSR invasion of Afghanistan, Saudis rolled petrodollar (American, Pakistan n some other countries took the bate), Saudis implanted Osama, Zawahri n hundreds other like them-American's n Pakistani's trained these Arab aliens, Afghanistan provided homes/wife's n killing machines went on their targets/till today it's going on. BUT5, not a single Saudi architect, planner, financier or general put to task nor any of Saudi city ever bombed. NATO n USA travel soo far n come to finish these killer machines in Afghanistan (now going in other countries as well) BUT never wish to question establish character of Saudi's WHY? Osama was not Pakistani, Zawahri is not a Pakistani too n ninth nine percent of all past/present so called Al Qaida leadership was/is Arabs, THAN why NATO etc wasting there time n energy in mountains/jungles, isn't better to just go to Saudi/other Arab States to get answer?
Where are the drones when we need them. It is going to happen one day!
What I love the most about such messages is that he acts like they've actually played a part in these uprisings. The areas Al Qaeda is most active is just a lot of death. There's no toppling of anything.
Beginning of a new game. These agents have destroyed Islam. Now religion of peace is a sign of terror and destruction. Saudis are main source of this ideology and now these agents are turning their guns to their master.
I was waiting for this news to validate my comment posted about 9 months ago. Under Islamic code of government neither the monarchy nor the democratic republic is allowed. The first wave of this happened in Iran and the second wave happened in Afghanistan and the third is happening in PAK and in middle east.
The only thing standing in the way is Shia and Sunni ideological differences.
Zawahri ideology is not new but the immediate battle ground is PAK. If PAK succumbs to this ideology, then it is going to a period of conflict in the world.
Ironically, the only thing standing in the way is PAK army, not the democratic institutions, but the "radicalization" of low level PAK foot soldiers who executes command is a worrisome trend.
Here is an exact quote from Jinnah in 1940 when he argued with congress party about the people who were crying for PAK then.
"'They would not live under any system of government that was based on the nonsensical notion of western democracy.' and Nehru lamented that "It took him (Jinnah) a long time to realize that what he had stood for throughout a fairly long life was nonsensical."
Why does he always tell other people to do his dirty job for him?
Chickens coming back home to roost