Sa’ad Bin Atef Al-Awlaki, the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), has released a disturbing 34-minute video in which he calls for jihad against the United States and the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several individuals closely tied to the White House.
In his message, Al-Awlaki escalated his rhetoric further, urging supporters to also target the families of American officials with connections to the current administration.
This video emerged in the context of the United States reaffirming its support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“There are no boundaries left after what has occurred—and continues to occur—to our people in Gaza,” Al-Awlaki proclaimed, making an open call to Muslims residing in the United States, regardless of their racial or national origin, to seek vengeance.
“As an initial and decisive action, I call upon every Muslim living in the sinful, arrogant, and criminal United States—whether Arab, American, or of any other descent. The only thing that matters is that they are Muslims, followers of the Prophet Muhammad,” he stated.
‘Retaliatory Violence’
Al-Awlaki continued his incitement by calling for retaliatory violence under the banner of jihad. “Do not seek advice or permission from anyone when it comes to killing disbelieving Americans. What is needed is unwavering resolve. Your list of targets must be impactful and meaningful,” he said.
He urged his followers to strike at what he called “the worst of humanity and the most evil of criminals,” before displaying images of President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Also included in the video was a photo of Elon Musk, whom Al-Awlaki labelled as one of Trump’s key enablers, contributing support in financial, administrative, and technological domains.
Additionally, pictures of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth were featured.
Al-Awlaki then intensified his message, saying, “Go after their families. Every individual connected to, or closely associated with, the political figures in the White House should be considered a target.”
$6 Million Bounty
In response to the threats and his long history of promoting anti-American violence, the U.S. government has offered a $6 million reward for information leading to the capture of Sa’ad Bin Atef Al-Awlaki, who is also known by the alias Sa’d Muhammad Atif.
He is thought to be a member of the same tribal lineage as Anwar al-Awlaki, a prominent al-Qaeda ideologue eliminated in a U.S. drone strike in 2011.
Sa’ad Al-Awlaki has consistently issued calls for violence against America, its allies, and Jewish communities around the world.
“Do not allow a single safe space for Jews—just as they have not left any shelter, home, or moment of peace for the Palestinians,” he declared.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which operates out of Yemen, was established in 2009 following the unification of the Saudi and Yemeni branches of the terror group.
The United States officially designated AQAP as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in 2010.
(With inputs from IBNS)
