AQAP Leader Praises Global Attacks and Issues Direct Threats Against China
Executive Summary
Al-Qa‘ida in the Arabian Peninsula leadership issued a public statement praising attacks against Jews and Americans worldwide while calling for continued violence and explicitly threatening Chinese interests over Beijing’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims. The messaging combines global incitement with state-level threat signaling and reflects AQAP’s continued intent to position itself as an active actor in transnational jihad despite operational degradation.
Analysis
The statements reflect AQAP’s effort to reassert relevance through ideological leadership, incitement, and strategic messaging rather than immediate operational claims.
AQAP emir Sa‘d bin ‘Atif al-Awlaqi publicly praised all attacks carried out against Jews and Americans “wherever they are found,” framing such violence as legitimate and obligatory.
The message included direct calls for Muslims globally to initiate attacks independently, reinforcing a decentralized, inspire-rather-than-direct operational model.
Al-Awlaqi issued an explicit warning to China, stating that AQAP is “monitoring” Chinese policies toward Uyghur Muslims and threatening future attacks on Chinese interests if those policies continue.
The messaging framed Jews and Americans as a unified enemy and described them as the root of global corruption, consistent with long-standing al-Qa‘ida ideological narratives.
The inclusion of China is notable. AQAP historically focused on the United States, Saudi Arabia, and regional targets. Explicit threats toward China indicate alignment with broader jihadist efforts to exploit Uyghur grievances to expand the perceived enemy set and justify future attacks on Chinese nationals, infrastructure, or diplomatic interests abroad. The tone and presentation suggest strategic signaling rather than an imminent plot, but such messaging has historically preceded lone-actor or affiliate-inspired attacks.
