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Al-Qaida Leader Threatens Trump and Musk Over Gaza Conflict
Al-Qaida's Yemen branch leader, Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, threatens US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk in a video message over the Gaza conflict, calling for attacks on leaders in Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf states.
This wanted poster from the U.S. State Departments' Rewards for Justice program shows al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula leader Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki. (Rewards For Justice, U.S. Department of State)
Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, leader of al-Qaida's Yemen branch, has released a video message threatening U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk over the ongoing Gaza conflict. In the video, al-Awlaki calls for attacks on leaders in Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf states, aiming to challenge the Houthis' influence in the region.
The video message, which has been circulating online, shows images of Trump and Musk, as well as other U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Al-Awlaki's speech is interspersed with images of logos of Musk's businesses, including Tesla.
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"There are no red lines after what happened and is happening to our people in Gaza," al-Awlaki said. "Reciprocity is legitimate." This statement underscores the group's deep-seated grievances over the Gaza conflict and its determination to take action.
Al-Qaida's Yemen branch has long been considered one of the most dangerous branches of the terrorist organization. Despite being weakened in recent years, the group remains a significant threat, with between 3,000 and 4,000 active fighters and passive members, according to U.N. experts.
Al-Awlaki's threats against Trump and Musk are part of a broader strategy to challenge the Houthis' dominance in the region. The Houthis, an Iranian-backed group, have launched missile attacks on Israel and targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea corridor. Al-Awlaki aims to present himself as a champion of the Palestinian cause, thereby gaining support and influence in the region.
