Terror alert: Al-Qaeda leader Sa’ad al-Awlaki has issued a chilling call for Muslims in America to assassinate President Trump, J.D. Vance, and even Elon Musk as part of their “religious duty” amid escalating tensions in Los Angeles.
In a disturbing video message that has security agencies on high alert, al-Awlaki, who heads Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), specifically urged followers to target American leaders, military installations, and corporate executives. The terrorist leader’s call for violence comes at a particularly volatile time as unrest continues in Los Angeles, raising fears that extremists might exploit domestic tensions. Security experts warn this represents a significant evolution in Al-Qaeda’s strategy, with the organization becoming increasingly decentralized and resilient despite years of counterterrorism efforts. Global intelligence agencies have elevated threat assessments as al-Awlaki’s message circulates among potential lone-wolf attackers and sleeper cells both within the United States and abroad.
Al-Qaeda’s Deadly New Directives
In his inflammatory video, al-Awlaki specifically named high-profile American targets including President Trump, his administration, and even private sector leaders like Elon Musk. He described these assassinations as “the greatest form of jihad today,” urging Muslims not to “hesitate even for a moment” in carrying out attacks against those who support American interests.
The terrorist leader’s message goes beyond typical propaganda by providing specific targets: American military bases, aircraft carriers, the U.S. Senate, and companies supporting the military. Al-Awlaki’s directives reflect Al-Qaeda’s strategic shift toward encouraging decentralized attacks by individuals or small cells rather than large-scale coordinated operations that require extensive planning and resources.
Terrorist Network Regaining Strength
Counterterrorism experts have warned that despite the media focus shifting to ISIS in recent years, Al-Qaeda has been quietly reconstituting with new, younger leadership. The organization has adapted by exploiting strategic weaknesses in U.S. policy and spreading its leadership structure globally across multiple regions, making it more resilient to targeted strikes against any single leader.
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
— Scott Horton (@scotthortonshow) December 1, 2024
Congressional hearings held by the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence have highlighted Al-Qaeda’s concerning resurgence in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. The group’s focus on local conflicts has been identified as a strategic move to build popular support while maintaining its long-term objective of targeting Western interests and transforming Muslim societies.
Immediate Security Threats
“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,” declared al-Awlaki in his message.
Security experts caution that al-Awlaki’s statements should not be dismissed as mere rhetoric, as he is a respected jihad leader with significant influence. The timing of this incitement amid domestic unrest in Los Angeles creates a particularly dangerous environment where extremist messaging could find receptive audiences among radicalized individuals.
Federal law enforcement agencies have reportedly increased protective measures around potential targets mentioned in al-Awlaki’s message. Congressional Republicans have called for immediate hearings on the threat and a review of current counterterrorism strategies, which many argue have become complacent under the Biden administration’s shift away from aggressive counterterrorism operations.
Former Trump administration officials have criticized the current approach to counterterrorism, suggesting that America’s enemies have been emboldened by perceived weakness. With Al-Qaeda strengthening in regions like Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and the Indian subcontinent, security analysts warn that the terrorist network remains determined to strike American targets both at home and abroad.
Sources:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-115hhrg27975/html/CHRG-115hhrg27975.htm