In his first video message since assuming leadership of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the group's supremo Saad bin Atef Al-Awlaki has issued threats against US President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, citing their support for Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza. The 30-minute video, which surfaced online on Saturday through AQAP-linked channels, also called for lone-wolf attacks targeting political leaders in Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf states, accusing them of complicity in the devastation of the Palestinian territory.
The video includes images of Trump, Musk, US Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, along with logos of Musk’s companies, notably Tesla. Al-Awlaki declared that "there are no red lines after what happened and is happening to our people in Gaza," adding that "reciprocity is legitimate".
REWARD! Up to $6M 💰 for information on terrorist SA'AD BIN ATEF AL-AWLAKI. He has publicly called for attacks against the U.S. and our allies. Got info on him? SEND US A TIP! https://t.co/zfCv4LhtVN pic.twitter.com/9NRDrLFik7
— Rewards for Justice (@RFJ_USA) November 7, 2022
AQAP remains one of Al-Qaeda’s most dangerous branches, although it has been weakened by internal rifts and US strikes in recent years. It was formed following the merger of Saudi and Yemeni factions of the global terror group and gained further notoriety after the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011. The group was behind several high-profile attacks, including the 2015 Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris.
Al-Awlaki took charge of the group last year following the death of Khalid al-Batarfi. He is already on most terror watchlists, with the US offering $6 million for information leading to his capture. According to the State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme, Al-Awlaki is a former member of AQAP’s Shura Council and played a central role in operational planning before taking leadership.
Born in Al-Shu'bah in Shabwa Governorate, southern Yemen, Saad Al-Awlaki hails from the powerful Al-Awalqi tribe, which also produced Anwar Al-Awlaki, the radical cleric killed by a US drone strike in 2011. He has long served as AQAP’s second-in-command and is now the fifth figure to publicly lead the group.
AQAP’s attempt to leverage the Gaza war mirrors efforts by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have carried out missile strikes on Israel and targeted commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea. Despite doctrinal differences—AQAP being Sunni extremist and the Houthis Shiite Zaydis—conflict between the two has waned in recent years. While the Houthis have gained popularity across the Arab world for their perceived resistance to Israel, AQAP appears keen to reassert its relevance by positioning itself as a defender of Gaza.
The latest move by Al-Awlaki seems like an effort to challenge the Houthis’ dominance regarding the Palestinian cause by presenting himself as equally committed. It also underscores the importance of Yemen while looking for a solution to the Gaza crisis and the larger Palestinian question.
According to UN intelligence, the AQAP has a core team of 3,000 to 4,000 fighters and supporters. The group is financed through illegal activities including bank robberies, arms smuggling, counterfeiting and kidnappings for ransom. The Yemeni civil war has helped the group, with the strife-torn country serving both as a sanctuary and a springboard for attacks.
As AQAP struggles to reclaim the limelight in the crowded jihadist landscape, Al-Awlaki’s latest message signals a return to high-profile threats targeting Western figures and Arab leaders alike. Whether such rhetoric translates into operational capability remains unclear, but the group's intent is unmistakable. “Gaza is the spark,” Al-Awlaki warned, “and the fire will not be limited to its borders.”
