Al-Qaeda in Yemen threatens Trump, Elon Musk, and Arab leaders over Gaza war

DDM News

A dangerous escalation in jihadist propaganda has emerged from Yemen, with direct threats against U.S. and Middle Eastern figures.

Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, the current leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), has released a 30-minute video vowing revenge over the Gaza conflict.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the video, which surfaced on jihadist channels, marks al-Awlaki’s first major appearance since assuming leadership of the group.

In a fiery address, al-Awlaki declared that there are “no red lines anymore,” vowing retaliation against those he accuses of backing Israeli military actions in Gaza.

High-profile Americans like former U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk were singled out as targets in the message.

Also featured in the propaganda clip were Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Images of these figures were displayed alongside logos from Musk-affiliated companies, including Tesla, X, and SpaceX, implying that economic influence is being weaponized against Palestinians.

Al-Awlaki did not stop at Western leaders.

He also issued threats against Arab governments, including Egypt, Jordan, and several Gulf monarchies.

The AQAP leader accused these regimes of collaborating with or ignoring Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which has now entered its ninth month.

The video comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and growing frustration over the failure of international diplomacy to halt the war.

Al-Awlaki framed his threats as a call to arms for sympathizers across the Muslim world, urging attacks on individuals and nations he claims are complicit in “Zionist aggression.”

Security experts have described the video as a propaganda tool meant to revive AQAP’s dwindling influence.

Despite suffering serious setbacks from drone strikes and special operations, AQAP remains a digital threat capable of spreading extremist ideology globally.

Intelligence agencies in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East are reportedly analyzing the video for specific threats, including the risk of lone-wolf attacks inspired by its content.

Analysts believe AQAP is attempting to exploit Muslim anger over Gaza to rejuvenate its fractured support base.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) recalls that AQAP was once considered the most dangerous al-Qaeda affiliate due to its sophisticated bomb-making capabilities and repeated attempts to strike Western targets.

However, years of targeted counterterrorism campaigns have significantly weakened its operational reach.

The group now appears to be pivoting toward incitement rather than direct attacks, using video releases, digital manifestos, and online forums to radicalize individuals across the globe.

This latest video could also be seen as a challenge to other terrorist factions competing for relevance, including ISIS and Iran-backed militias operating in the region.

By targeting global elites like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, AQAP seems eager to insert itself into popular geopolitical discourse, hoping to amplify its message through sensationalism.

Experts warn that even in decline, such propaganda can inspire dangerous individuals to commit acts of violence, especially when combined with local grievances and international outrage.

Security agencies in the United States have reportedly upgraded monitoring protocols for extremist chatter, particularly with regard to online threats against public figures.

The involvement of technology leaders like Elon Musk in AQAP’s rhetoric suggests a growing trend of associating global capitalism with geopolitical conflicts in the Muslim world.

Musk’s high-profile role in communication infrastructure, including satellite internet systems like Starlink, has previously drawn attention from both state and non-state actors.

AQAP’s message reflects a broader attempt to frame the Gaza crisis not just as a regional conflict, but as a global struggle between Islam and what it sees as oppressive global powers.

The U.S. government has not yet issued an official response to the video.

However, internal sources suggest law enforcement and intelligence services are treating the threats as part of a broader ideological campaign rather than indications of immediate action.

DDM will continue monitoring this developing story as authorities assess the risk and respond to the renewed threat landscape emerging from the Middle East.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook