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The leader of al-Qaeda’s Yemen branch has issued threats against US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, marking his first public appearance since taking control of the group in 2024.In a half-hour video released online early Saturday by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) supporters, Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki called for retaliatory attacks and urged lone-wolf militants to assassinate leaders in Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf Arab nations over their roles in the conflict, which he described as devastating to Palestinians in Gaza.
The video featured images of Trump, Musk, US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, along with logos of Musk’s companies, including Tesla.“There are no red lines after what happened and is happening to our people in Gaza,” al-Awlaki declared. “Reciprocity is legitimate.”
AQAP: Once al-Qaeda’s most dangerous branch
Though weakened in recent years by internal divisions and US drone strikes, AQAP was long considered al-Qaeda’s most dangerous branch following the 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden. The group has retained influence in Yemen and continues to advocate for global jihad.
Al-Awlaki, who has a $6 million US bounty on his head, is accused by Washington of inciting attacks against the US and its allies. He succeeded former leader Khalid al-Batarfi, whose death AQAP confirmed in 2024.
Gaza conflict draws in regional militants
AQAP’s threats come as Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have also drawn global attention for launching missiles at Israel and attacking ships in the Red Sea, prompting a heavy US naval response. The Pentagon has described the ongoing conflict with the Houthis as the most intense combat since World War II.Though the Houthis and AQAP have historically been at odds, the Shiite Houthis and Sunni AQAP fought bitterly in Yemen’s civil war, AQAP’s attacks on Houthi targets have decreased in recent years, while the group continues to strike forces from the Saudi-led coalition.UN estimates suggest AQAP retains a network of 3,000 to 4,000 active fighters and supporters. The group funds its operations through bank robberies, smuggling, counterfeiting, and ransom activities.As the Houthis gain popularity across the Arab world for confronting Israel, experts believe al-Awlaki is using the Gaza war to reclaim AQAP’s relevance.“For a national security and foreign policy community increasingly disengaged from Yemen, this video is a clear reminder: Yemen still matters,” said Mohammed al-Basha of the Basha Report.“As the Houthis gain popularity as leaders of the Arab and Muslim world’s ‘resistance’ against Israel, al-Awlaki seeks to challenge their dominance by presenting himself as equally concerned about the situation in Gaza,” he added.
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