Al-Qaeda leader Sa’ad al-Awlaki has issued a chilling call for the assassination of key American leaders, including President Trump and Elon Musk, framing these acts of violence as religious obligations for Muslims worldwide.
At a Glance
- Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula leader Sa’ad al-Awlaki has called for the assassination of American leaders in a recent video
- Specific targets mentioned include President Trump, his administration, and business leaders like Elon Musk
- Al-Awlaki describes these assassinations as “the greatest form of jihad today” and a religious duty
- Security experts warn that Al-Qaeda is reconstituting with younger leadership and becoming more media-savvy
- The terrorist organization has evolved with a decentralized approach, making it more resilient against counterterrorism efforts
Al-Qaeda’s Explicit Calls for Violence
In a disturbing new video, Sa’ad al-Awlaki, a prominent leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), has explicitly called for Muslims in America to assassinate key political and business figures. The terrorist leader specifically named President Trump, members of his administration, and entrepreneur Elon Musk among his targets. Al-Awlaki’s message frames these violent acts not as mere political statements but as religious obligations, elevating the threat level and potential motivation for lone-wolf attackers who may be susceptible to such extremist rhetoric.
Al-Awlaki’s message was unambiguous in its call for bloodshed, stating that Muslims should not hesitate to target those who support American interests. He specifically mentioned American military bases, aircraft carriers, the U.S. Senate, and companies supporting the American military as legitimate targets. The AQAP leader’s statements cannot be dismissed as mere rhetoric – intelligence experts note that he commands significant respect within jihadist circles, making his calls to action particularly dangerous in the current global climate.
Al Qaeda in Iraq in Syria
Syria is a 70 percent super-majority Sunni country ruled by a minority Alawite elite’s Ba’ath Party government. However, the regime is also supported by virtually all the rest of the country’s ethnic and religious minorities: Orthodox, Melkite,… pic.twitter.com/dcZ1V3ZL0U
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The Evolution of Al-Qaeda’s Strategy
This recent incitement comes as counterterrorism experts warn that Al-Qaeda is experiencing a concerning resurgence. Despite the focus on ISIS in recent years, Al-Qaeda has been quietly reconstituting itself with new, younger leadership. The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence of the Committee on Homeland Security recently held hearings specifically addressing the evolution and resilience of the terrorist organization, with Chairman Peter T. King emphasizing the ongoing threat despite diminished media attention.
“Anyone who can revive the tradition of assassinations and is near the leaders of apostasy – those who support the war in Gaza with money, aid, and logistics, the Jewish Arabs, like the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and all the rulers of the Arabian Peninsula – should not hesitate even for a moment. By Allah, [assassinations] are the greatest form of jihad today.”, said Sa’ad al-Awlaki.
Security analysts note that Al-Qaeda has adapted its strategy by diffusing its leadership globally and franchising jihad through various affiliates. This decentralized approach makes the organization more resilient to counterterrorism efforts that target specific leadership figures. The group remains active across multiple continents, including the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, with a strategic focus on local conflicts to gain popular support and transform Muslim societies from within.
Global Security Implications
Al-Qaeda’s senior leadership is no longer concentrated in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region but has spread across multiple areas, making tracking and neutralizing threats more challenging for security agencies. The emergence of a new generation of leaders, including Osama bin Laden’s son Hamza, signals the organization’s continued ability to regenerate. Rising sectarianism globally may provide fertile ground for increased support for the Salafi-jihadi movement, which Al-Qaeda seeks to capture and direct toward violent ends.
The explicit nature of al-Awlaki’s call for assassination represents a concerning escalation in Al-Qaeda’s messaging. Security experts warn that dismissing such threats as empty rhetoric would be dangerous, as the organization has demonstrated its commitment to carrying out attacks against Western targets over decades. With al-Awlaki specifically encouraging Muslims not to “consult anyone about killing infidel Americans,” there are heightened concerns about inspired lone-wolf attacks that may be difficult to detect and prevent through traditional intelligence methods.
