In September 2014, Al-Zawahiri released a video in which he announced the appointment of Maulana Asim Umar as the Emir of al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). Umar’s appointment follows his extensive presence and associations with various jihadist groups in Pakistan. His appointment is the continuation of a long standing relationship between al-Qaeda Central Command and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whereby al-Qaeda is the ideological inspiration for the TTP, with the latter providing support and safe havens for al-Qaeda militants.