Obama: Anwar al-Awlaki's death a "major blow" to al Qaeda and affiliates

Updated at 3:30 p.m. ET

The killing of Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S. citizen who was in the top ranks of al Qaeda's franchise in Yemen, marks "another significant milestone in the broader effort to defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates," President Obama said today.

The American-born, radical Islamic preacher was killed Friday in Yemen in a CIA-directed strike upon his convoy. Al-Awlaki is the most prominent al Qaeda figure to be killed since Osama bin Laden, and Mr. Obama said his death represents a "major blow" to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, al Qeada's most active operational affiliate.

Speaking at the retirement ceremony for Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mr. Obama said that al-Awlaki "took the lead in planning and directing efforts to murder innocent Americans," such as the attempt to blow up U.S. cargo planes in 2010.

The president called the killing of al-Awlaki a tribute to the U.S. intelligence community and the efforts of leaders in Yemen. He said al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula remains "a dangerous but weakened terrorist organization."

"Make no mistake, this is further proof al Qaeda and its affiliates will find no safe haven in Yemen or anywhere around the world," Mr. Obama said.

Republican leaders on Friday praised the dealth of al-Awlaki and Mr. Obama's leadership. GOP presidential candidate and Texas Gov. Rick Perry called al-Awlaki's death "an important victory in the war on terror."

"I want to congratulate the United States military and intelligence communities - and President Obama for sticking with the government's longstanding and aggressive anti-terror policies - for getting another key international terrorist," Perry said in a statement.

Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, called the killing of al-Awlaki "another great step forward in breaking the back of Al Qaeda."

Rep. Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, called it "a great success in our fight against al-Qaeda" and "a tremendous tribute to President Obama and the men and women of our intelligence community."

The American Civil Liberties Union, meanwhile, decried the killing of an American citizen who was never charged with a crime.

"The government's authority to use lethal force against its own citizens should be limited to circumstances in which the threat to life is concrete, specific and imminent," ACLU Deputy Legal Director Jameel Jaffer said in a statement. "It is a mistake to invest the President - any President - with the unreviewable power to kill any American whom he deems to present a threat to the country."

One other American militant, Samir Khan, was killed alongside al-Awlaki in Friday's attack, which killed four individuals.

Update: In a radio interview with Michael Smerconish on Friday afternoon, Mr. Obama declined to say whether he gave the order to kill al-Awlaki, saying he could not discuss operational details.

"This is something that we had been working with the Yemeni government on for quite some time," he said. "There's been significant cooperation at the intelligence levels with a lot of countries in the region. We are very pleased that Mr. Awlaki is no longer going to be in a position to directly threaten the United States homeland, as well as our allies around the world."

He continued, "The fact that he is now no longer around to initiate the kind of propaganda that also was recruiting people all around the world to that murderous cause I think is something that's very good for American security."

[Birdman04]

It's like killing ants. No matter how many of the queens you kill they still find a way to survive and demoralize occupying nations invading their nest.

[Leaderless]

As long as obama continued the policies of the previous administration, more terrorists will die.
Don't mess with Guantanamo, we don't need any more bad people out there killing us.

[Starburst9]

Bush had 7 yrs to get any terrorist he was too busy reshaping the justice system first so you losers who just can't believe what Obama has done, going in to Pakistan and using drones where they work and Bush himself said we will get you no matter where and we will hunt you ,but it is not ok for Obama huh!! get real you are pissed he did it, and I say good job Obama he was the worst go and ask that of Fort Hood who he radicalized that military officer right before our eyes and he had some of the worst working with him. He was a treasonous pig and deserv3ed everything he got

[JWinATL]

Konr22 and others dumping on Bush: do you think the intelligence that the Obama Administration used to kill Bin Laden and al-Awlaki was developed in the last 3 years? No. Bush's Administration kept us safe after 9/11. We have had many attempts against our country once Obama took over. Bush is a man of convictions - whether you liked him or not, you always knew where he stood, unlike Obama, who shifts with the sand. Also, if a Republican had killed Osama and al-Awlaki instead of capturing them to obtain more intel, the left would have had a civil rights FIT, but because there is a Democrat administration, it is the CORRECT decision. Please.

[Guitfiddel]

NOT TRUE and the FURTHERMOST from any REALITY. Bush publicly stated that he didn't care where Osama bin Laden was. That's the real fact. The Dick and Baby administration miserably failed to protect the slaughter of 3,428 innocent American Men, Women and Children on our own soil simultaneously while hurling this country into this current recession depleting our surplus also, killing another 4,769 (the only ones that happen to be on record) our Kids sending them on a wild goose chase when BUSH LIED about Weapons of Mass Destruction to secure his Daddy's oil investments. I think President Obama and his Administration continues to succeed at what the last Republican leadership "JOKE" failed at and many people are in denial of because Obama is a Black Man.

[guyfrompa46]

whats funny is that Obama is in a dead heat with 2 people who aren't even running... The guy is gone..

[Zann-Zel]

lol
once again......
Unemployments down, stock markets up and AlQaeda is dropping like flies!

OBAMA 2012 : )

[baileyccc]

This is another reason to vote for President Obama.

[Lifeson2112]

Another? LMAO!! There isn't a single reason to put this loser back in office!

[konr22]

4 more years!

[Alex_Votocracy]

Will this make a difference in the Pentagon budget cuts? Will they decide to not cut foreign affairs? How big of a hit is this to the terrorist group? Come discuss on an open political platform that is driven by input from the public: https://www.votocracy.com/poll

[Ithiaca]

So let me get this Straight the ACLU does not want an end to Terrorism. Folks, let's face some very bare and raw facts here. Al Queda, Mr. Anwar al-Awlaki and the like did not even give us a trial. They pronounced sentence on the United States and her Citizen's. Frankly I am glad this terrorist thug is pushing up daisies, along with other's of his ilk. When you go to make war with a Nation state, you best be ready to pay the ferry man.

[shevbia]

The ACLU and other organizations like that are the ones that should be sent to Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Syria, to protect everyone that is against America... They would be the martyrs!Do we ever hear that they accuse anyone of killing OUR soldiers? Civil liberties indeed!

[miramar87]

What in God's name was the Bush administration doing, for nearly
eight years? Why couldn't these people have been taken down much sooner?
"I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority."
- G.W. Bush, 3/13/02
"I am truly not that concerned about him."
- G.W. Bush, repsonding to a question about bin Laden's whereabouts,
3/13/02 (The New American, 4/8/02)
Hmm.

[konr22]

Bush failed at everything he did.