A decade after its defeat in Yemen, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is resurging with new tactics, global ambitions, and a resilient digital network. In 2025, the group has demonstrated its adaptability through a series of attacks, including drone strikes on UAE-backed forces in the Al-Buqayrah and Mudiyah areas of Abyan Governorate. These actions highlight AQAP’s ability to project power beyond Yemen, targeting regional and international interests. AQAP’s leader, Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, has publicly called for lone-wolf attacks on leaders in Egypt, the Gulf states, and the United States, naming prominent figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk as potential targets. This shift underscores AQAP’s shift from localized insurgency to global jihad, maintaining its ideological commitment despite past defeats and external pressures.