‘No red strains’: Al-Qaeda Yemen threatens Donald Trump, Elon Musk; uses Gaza as rallying cry

Elon Musk and Donald Trump (File picture)

The chief of al-Qaeda’s Yemen department has issued threats towards US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk over the continued Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, marking his first public look since taking management of the group in 2024.In a half-hour video launched on-line early Saturday by al-Qaeda within the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) supporters, Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki referred to as for retaliatory assaults and urged lone-wolf militants to assassinate leaders in Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf Arab nations over their roles within the battle, which he described as devastating to Palestinians in Gaza.

The video featured photos of Trump, Musk, US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, together with logos of Musk’s firms, together with 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 harmful department

Though weakened lately by inner divisions and US drone strikes, AQAP was lengthy thought of al-Qaeda’s most harmful department following the 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden. The group has retained affect in Yemen and continues to advocate for world jihad.

Al-Awlaki, who has a $6 million US bounty on his head, is accused by Washington of inciting assaults towards the US and its allies. He succeeded former chief Khalid al-Batarfi, whose demise AQAP confirmed in 2024.

Gaza battle attracts in regional militants

AQAP’s threats come as Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have additionally drawn world consideration for launching missiles at Israel and attacking ships within the Red Sea, prompting a heavy US naval response. The Pentagon has described the continued battle with the Houthis as probably the most intense fight since World War II.Though the Houthis and AQAP have traditionally been at odds, the Shiite Houthis and Sunni AQAP fought bitterly in Yemen’s civil conflict, AQAP’s assaults on Houthi targets have decreased lately, whereas the group continues to strike forces from the Saudi-led coalition.UN estimates counsel AQAP retains a community of three,000 to 4,000 lively fighters and supporters. The group funds its operations by way of financial institution robberies, smuggling, counterfeiting, and ransom actions.As the Houthis acquire reputation throughout the Arab world for confronting Israel, consultants imagine al-Awlaki is utilizing the Gaza conflict 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,” stated 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.