Al-Qaida’s Yemen Leader Threatens Trump, Musk Amid Gaza Conflict
Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, leader of al-Qaida’s Yemen branch, threatens U.S. President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk in a video message. He calls for attacks on leaders of several nations amid the violence in Gaza. With AQAP facing challenges but still considered dangerous, this development raises concerns about the group’s re-emergence and impact on regional security.
In a troubling development, the head of al-Qaida’s branch in Yemen, Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, has issued threats against high-profile figures including U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. This came through his first video statement since he took leadership of the group last year, which circulated online early Saturday among al-Qaida supporters. The 30-minute video drew sharp attention not just for its threats, but also for its stark imagery, showcasing notable politicians from the U.S. alongside attacks on leaders from Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf states, all amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The visuals featured in al-Awlaki’s speech included images of Trump, Musk, along with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. In a gripping part of his message, al-Awlaki declared, “There are no red lines after what happened and is happening to our people in Gaza. Reciprocity is legitimate.” This dire call to arms signals a toughening stance from AQAP, especially as the conflict in Gaza has escalated dramatically.
Though AQAP has faced significant challenges in recent years, including infighting and targeted U.S. drone strikes that eliminated several of its leaders, it has still been considered one of the most formidable branches of al-Qaida. This perception stems largely from its history, particularly after the death of its founder, Osama bin Laden, at the hands of U.S. forces in 2011. In a related incident, a drone strike in Afghanistan last year took out Ayman al-Zawahri, another key figure behind the Sept. 11 attacks.
Al-Awlaki himself currently has a $6 million bounty on his head due to his calls for violence against the U.S. and its allies. He recently took over the leadership of AQAP from Khalid al-Batarfi, whose death was confirmed in early 2024. The resurgence of AQAP’s aggressive rhetoric can be linked to the context of the Israel-Hamas war, which has also seen increased hostilities from the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. These rebels have been actively launching missile strikes against Israel and targeting commercial vessels, which have made U.S. Navy operations increasingly perilous in the region.
During this ongoing tension, the Houthis’ international standing has seen an uptick, even as they remain embroiled in Yemen’s long-standing civil war. Experts postulate that al-Awlaki might be attempting to capitalize on the heightened focus brought by the Gaza conflict to elevate AQAP’s profile as well. The United Nations has estimated that AQAP has between 3,000 and 4,000 active fighters, financing their operations through various illegal activities such as bank heists, smuggling, and ransom schemes.
While the Houthis have denied any formal collaboration with AQAP—being a Shiite entity versus AQAP’s Sunni extremism—the dynamics on the ground have shifted somewhat. Recently, AQAP has reduced its targeting of the Houthis while continuing to engage Saudi-led coalition forces. According to Yemen expert Mohammed al-Basha, “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.”
This current situation serves as a stark reminder for those involved in national security and foreign policy, highlighting Yemen’s significance in a conflict that continues to unfold. “For a national security and foreign policy community increasingly disengaged from Yemen, this video is a clear reminder: Yemen still matters.”
The recent threats from Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, leader of al-Qaida’s branch in Yemen, directed at prominent figures like President Trump and Elon Musk mark a significant escalation in rhetoric tied to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. His video message emphasizes AQAP’s attempts to leverage the turmoil in Gaza for its own visibility and relevance. The group, while weakened, is still a serious concern, raising questions about regional stability and international security as it seeks to carve out a more pronounced role amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Original Source: www.journalgazette.net
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