In January 2009 , al-Qaeda 's division in Saudi Arabia merged with its Yemeni wing to form al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula ( AQAP ) . Centered in Yemen , the group takes advantage of the country 's poor economy , demography and domestic security . In August 2009 , the group made an assassination attempt against a member of the Saudi royal family . President Obama asked Ali Abdullah Saleh to ensure closer cooperation with the US in the struggle against the growing activity of al-Qaeda in Yemen , and promised to send additional aid . The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan , drew US attention from Somalia and Yemen . In December 2011 , US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said that the US operations against al-Qaeda " are now concentrating on key groups in Yemen , Somalia and North Africa . " Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the 2009 bombing attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab . The AQAP declared the Al-Qaeda Emirate in Yemen in March 31 , 2011 , after capturing the most of the Abyan Governorate
Northwest Airlines Flight 253
Northwest Airlines Flight 253
Al-Qaeda