Sanaa, July 10 (IANS): The new leader of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Qassim al-Raymi, released his first audio message on Friday in which he called for attacks on the "infidel" US, describing it as "the madness of the age", Efe news agency reported.

"Mujahideen (holy warriors), today you have no match except for the infidel America, the madness of the age, and if we end this madness, no enemy shall prevail against the mujahideen, God willing," the regional leader urged followers in his message, released on jihadi online forums.

"All of you must direct and gather your arrows and swords against it," the AQAP chief added.

Al-Raymi assumed leadership of the terrorist organisation in mid-June after his predecessor, Nasser al-Wahishi, was killed in a US drone strike in the city of al-Mukalla in southeastern Yemen.

"I pledge allegiance to you, to listen and obey," Al-Raymi said, addressing the Al Qaeda mastermind, Ayman al-Zawahiri.