al qaeda is the preeminent terrorist organization on the planet at this time.  It has never fielded an army.  It is an underground terrorist organization.  Its' members and supporters are terrorists.  Former soldiers are included in their membership who are now regarded as terrorists.  They are not soldiers.  al qaeda has no soldiers, never have and never will.  There are the few committed to their ideology, and the rest of humanity they regard as the enemy.  They have violated every crime against humanity- men, women, and children.