In a video released by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) on Sunday, the terrorist organization’s leader Sa’ad al-Awlaki called for Muslims in America and across the world to assassinate top U.S. officials, Jews in America and Europe, anti-Jihadi Arab leaders, and others.
“As a first practical, and immediate measure, I call upon every Muslim in the infidel, criminal, and arrogant United States – and it does not matter if they are of Arab, American, or other descent, what matters is that they should be Muslims whose Prophet is Muhammad, and there are 4.5 million Muslims in America alone… I am saying to all of them: Revenge! Revenge! Do not consult anyone about killing infidel Americans,” al-Awlaki said according to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).
He went on to call for the assassinations of “Trump and his VP,” “his Secretary of State and his Secretary of Defense,” “Elon Musk,” “their families, and all those who have any ties or are close to the politicians of the White House.”
Accusing Israel and America of conducting a “genocidal war,” and “continuing to kill our women and children in Palestine, Syria, Somalia, and Yemen,” al-Awlaki argued that there “are no red lines” and that a “reciprocal response is lawful” until Israel and America cease.
The AQAP leader further called for the assassinations of Arab leaders who are allied with the Western powers.
“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,” he said.
al-Awlaki called specifically for Muslims in America and Europe to attack Jews.
“Do not leave a single safe place for Jews, just as they have not left any homes, shelters, or respite for the Palestinians,” he said.
“Even hospitals are being bombed over the heads of the sick and wounded, and the heads of the women, children, and the elderly. Revenge! Revenge! Let each do so with what he does best and excels at.”
Founded in in 2009, AQAP primarily operates in Yemen.
The terrorist organization has taken credit for a number of attacks outside Yemen, including the 2015 attack targeting the employees of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, in which 12 people were murdered.
