Donald Trump Among Targets Named In New Threat By Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula

Terror Organization Issues Threats to US Leadership

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has made a public threat. The organization states that it will attack former U.S. President Donald Trump, senior members of his administration, and White House employees. This threat was announced via a new video presented by its leader, Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki. The video lasts around 30 minutes. The U.S. government has already put a $6 million price tag on al-Awlaki. He took over AQAP in March 2024.

Gaza Conflict Linked to Calls for Retaliation

In the video, al-Awlaki said the group wants revenge for the war in Gaza. He warned that attacks against American targets would not be limited. Al-Awlaki named several individuals as targets. These include Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hexen, and entrepreneur Elon Musk. He also said their families and relatives are targets. The group accuses them of not helping Palestinians.

AQAP Past Statements and Activities

Al-Awlaki has been known to condone violent actions against Jewish populations in the U.S. He averred that they should have no safe haven. AQAP is mostly based in Yemen. Prior to its unification, it was operating independently in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. AQAP is regarded as one of the most lethal Al-Qaeda offshoots after the death of Osama bin Laden. Al-Awlaki has frequently called upon followers to strike U.S. interests. Besides the U.S. reward, he is also offered a reward of 500 million rupees.

History of AQAP Attacks and Status

AQAP is also the most operational Al-Qaeda offshoot. It has conducted a number of attacks across the U.S. and Europe. Some notable events include the underwear bomb attempt in 2009 and the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack in France. Due to these operations, the U.S. State Department officially declared AQAP as a terrorist organization.