US offers million-dollar reward for capture of Osama bin Laden's son Hamza

  • Video report by ITV News Reporter Serena Sandhu

US authorities have offered a $1 million reward (£755,000) for information leading to the capture of Osama bin Laden's son.

Hamza bin Laden, son of the late terrorist leader, is considered to have taken up his father's mantle by emerging as the new head of Al Qaeda.

Hamza was named a "specially designated global terrorist" in January 2017.

He has released audio and video messages calling for attacks against the US and its allies.

Saudi Arabia has also revoked Hamza's citizenship.

The news, executed by royal decree in November, was only made public on Friday.

A State Department notice said the reward will be paid for help locating Hamza bin Laden in any country as part its "rewards for justice" programme.

  • ITV News Correspondent Juliet Bremner explains why American authorities are seeking Hamza Bin Laden, and the dangers of putting him on their watch list

A statement read: "Hamza married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, the lead hijacker and a mastermind of Al Qaeda's September 2001 airline terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

"Osama bin Laden's letters seized from the Abbottabad, Pakistan compound where bin Laden was killed indicate that he was grooming Hamza to replace him as leader of Al Qaeda."

His father, Osama, was killed in a US military raid in Pakistan in May 2011, an operation watched by then US president Barack Obama.

Osama bin Laden was killed by US Navy SEALs in 2011. Credit: AP

A reward poster read: "Hamza bin Laden is the son of deceased former Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and is emerging as a leader in the Al Qaeda franchise.

"He has released audio and video messages on the Internet, calling on his followers to launch attacks against the United State sand its Western allies.

"The US. government is offering rewards for information about Hamza bin Laden.

"Absolute confidentiality is assured and relocation may be available. If you have information,please contact the nearest U.S.embassy or consulate orinfo@rewardsforjustice.net."