Anwar al-Aulaqi: al-Whackedqi?

[CountDeMoney]

Anwar al-Aulaqi, U.S.-born cleric linked to al-Qaeda, killed, Yemen says

SANAA, Yemen — Anwar al-Aulaqi, the radical Yemeni-American cleric and one of the most influential al-Qaeda operatives wanted by the United States, has been killed in northern Yemen, Yemen's Defense Ministry said Friday morning.

The ministry, in a text message sent to journalists, said "the terrorist Anwar al-Aulaqi has been killed along with some of his companions," but did not provide further details. The report could not be independently verified; Aulaqi has been falsely reported killed before.

In a separate e-mailed statement, the Yemeni government said that Aulaqi was "targeted and killed" five miles from the town of Kashef in Yemen's northern Jawf province, 87 miles east of the capital Sanaa. The attack, the statement said, was launched at 9.55 am, local time.

While the Defense Ministry said Aulaqi was killed in Marib province, other government sources said he was killed in neighboring Jawf province.

A Yemeni security source, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said Aulaqi was killed in an air strike, possibly by an unmanned American drone. The Obama administration in recent months have escalated the use of drones to target al-Qaeda-linked militants in Yemen and Somalia. U.S. officials could not be reached for comment.

If true, Aulaqi's death would be considered a significant victory in the U.S. war against global terrorism. Believed to be 39 or 40 years old, the New Mexico-born cleric has been implicated in several attacks on U.S. soil, including the 2009 shootings at Fort Hood, Texas; an attempt later that year to bomb a Detroit-bound airliner; and an attempt in 2010 to send parcel bombs on cargo plans bound for the United States.

In April 2010, the Obama administration authorized his targeted killing. U.S. officials alleged that he is a top leader in al-Qaeda's Yemen wing, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Aulaqi, who lived in Virginia and was the imam of a mosque in Falls Church, left the United States in 2002. He was detained in Yemen in 2006 at the request of the United States but was released later that year. His lectures in English on Islamic scripture have drawn in countless followers online.

Earlier this year, Michael Leiter, the U.S. official in charge of analyzing terrorism threats, told a congressional committee that Aulaqi and AQAP probably posed "the most significant risk to the U.S. homeland."

[Ed Anger]

If true......USA! USA! USA!

[OttoVonBismarck]

Great, wish they could kill his wives and children too.

[Viking]

This is the guy the US Citizen that Obama ordered whacked.

[viper37]

Yemen will soon replace Pakistan as the US most trustworthy ally

[Duque de Bragança]

Yemen will soon replace Pakistan as the US most trustworthy ally

[Viking]

Great, wish they could kill his wives and children too.

Don't worry, they will be welfare queens in Detroit soon enough.

[Sheilbh]

This is the guy the US Citizen that Obama ordered whacked.

Yep.  Though the White House still won't admit that, due, no doubt to their abiding shame at that order.

On the other hand it's good that, so far as I can see, the ideology that al-Qaeda represents is now entirely devoid of charismatic leaders.  It should also mean, God willing, that the US has no excuse to support Saleh in any way. 

[PDH]

Guy deserved to be whacked, he was a Colordao State University alum.

[Martinus]

On the other hand it's good that, so far as I can see, the ideology that al-Qaeda represents is now entirely devoid of charismatic leaders.

I know. Obama's charisma, as a muslim leader, has proven to be a complete flash in a pan.

[Razgovory]

This is the guy the US Citizen that Obama ordered whacked.

Yep.  Though the White House still won't admit that, due, no doubt to their abiding shame at that order.

On the other hand it's good that, so far as I can see, the ideology that al-Qaeda represents is now entirely devoid of charismatic leaders.  It should also mean, God willing, that the US has no excuse to support Saleh in any way.

Was there a warrant out for his arrest?  Could he have just turned himself in and explained the whole misunderstanding?

[grumbler]

This is the guy the US Citizen that Obama ordered whacked.

Yep.  Though the White House still won't admit that, due, no doubt to their abiding shame at that order.

Interesting concept.  Got any sources for the claim that they feel "shame" (let alone "abiding shame")?

[11B4V]

This is the guy the US Citizen that Obama ordered whacked.

Yep.  Though the White House still won't admit that, due, no doubt to their abiding shame at that order.

He did know he was there. That was just a bonus.

[The Minsky Moment]

This is the guy the US Citizen that Obama ordered whacked.

Yep.  Though the White House still won't admit that, due, no doubt to their abiding shame at that order.

If the US is going to be in the business of assassinating bad guys, then I don't see why citizenship status should be an automatic free pass.

[Sheilbh]

Interesting concept.  Got any sources for the claim that they feel "shame" (let alone "abiding shame")?

No of course not.  But you should always assume the best of people you disagree with.

If the US is going to be in the business of assassinating bad guys, then I don't see why citizenship status should be an automatic free pass.

I disagree with assassinations in general.  I also disagree with the state killing her citizens.  Putting the two together without a judicial process seems fundamentally wrong.  And I do wonder where the line is drawn with this.

I can see the attraction in this case and I won't mourn the guy but depending on how involved the US was I think it's problematic.