Last April, jihadist websites published an interview with AQAP's religious leader, Adel al-Abbab - also known as Abu al-Zubair - who said that Ansar al-Sharia had been set up to attract people to Sharia rule in the areas under the control of AQAP and allied groups, including "Islamic" punishments.
According to American officials, the Moroccan authorities have also arrested a Saudi national called Abu Zubair, who they believe is a key al-Qaeda recruiter.