As-Sahab

The As-Sahab Foundation for Islamic Media Publication (Arabic: السحاب) (meaning "The Cloud" in Arabic and sometimes written "Assahab") is the media production house of Al-Qaeda, used as propaganda for the organization. Adam Gadahn, an American Muslim convert, may have a significant role in the organization.

Production quality

The organization uses modern technology to produce its video statements to the world. Earlier productions were above amateur level and created using semi-professional hardware and possibly entry level professional software with a median level of expertise. However, the overall production level was well below what is considered the professional broadcast standard in Western countries. In addition to being released in Arabic, some published videos come with English or other language subtitles.

More recently, the release of the "5 years after tribute" The Manhattan Raid demonstrated a standard comparing favorably with the production quality obtained by major television networks some 10 years ago. Video and audio are (depending on the source material, much of which is decades old) usually crisp, and subtitles are by and large free of grammatical and spelling errors and sometimes explain Islam-specific concepts. It is unknown whether this indicates a general increase in capability or a tapping of additional resources to produce what seems to be a kind of "special release" video.

An August 2007 study by an independent researcher has revealed that As-Sahab may be using a technology similar to greenscreen (chromakey) to accomplish back-drop effects.[1](p. 25)

Method of delivery

Previously al Qaeda preferred to deliver its videos via a dead drop method using couriers. However, the method of delivery was changed in January 2005 after a U.S. air raid on an al Qaeda meeting near Damadola, Pakistan. The current method of delivery, which appears to be handled by As Sahab, is an Internet delivery of video or audio materials.

2007 Osama bin Laden video

Main article: 2007 Osama bin Laden video

On September 6, 2007, Osama bin Laden's image was posted at a banner advertisement on an Islamic militant Website where Al-Sahab posts messages. In the image, the man purported to be bin Laden has a beard which appears to have been dyed. Al-Sahab said that bin Laden will release a new video ahead of the sixth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks which will be the first new images in three years.

See also

• 2004 Osama bin Laden video
• Videos of Osama bin Laden
• Videos of Ayman al-Zawahiri

External links

As Sahab videos

• The Will of the Martyr Part 1
• The Will of the Martyr Part 2
• The Will of the Martyr Part 3
• The Will of the Martyr Part 4
• The Will of the Martyr Part 6
• The Will of the Martyr Part 7
• The Will of the Martyr Part 8
• The Will of the Martyr Part 9
• Knowledge Is For Acting Upon: The Manhattan Raid Part 1
• Knowledge Is For Acting Upon: The Manhattan Raid Part 2
• Dr Zawahiri on the Attack Against Lal Masjid