The killing of a U.S. jihadist

Anwar al-Awlaki in an image released Nov. 8, 2010 by SITE Intelligence Group, taken from a video message posted on radical websites. / AP

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama called the death of a U.S.-born jihadist cleric - killed on Friday by a drone attack in Yemen - a "major blow" to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, and said the U.S.-directed attack provided "further proof that al Qaeda and its affiliates will find no safe haven anywhere in the world."

Anwar al-Awlaki, a leading propagandist and operational leader for Al Qaeda, and Samir Khan, an American of Pakistani heritage who edited the slick Jihadi Internet magazine Inspire, were killed in an air strike on their convoy in Yemen by a joint CIA-U.S. military operation, according to counterterrorism officials. Al-Awlaki was targeted in the killing, but Khan apparently was not targeted directly.

Who was Anwar al-Awlaki?
Multiple terror plots linked to Anwar al-Awlaki
Video: Anwar al-Awlaki urges attacks on Americans

In remarks at Fort Myer, Va., Mr. Obama also praised the United States' successful alliance with Yemen's security forces. "Working with Yemen and our other allies and partners, we will be determined, we will be deliberate, we will be relentless, we will be resolute in our commitment to destroy terrorist networks that aim to kill Americans, and to build a world in which people everywhere can live in greater peace, prosperity and security."

In December 2010 the Guardian reported that among the secret U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks was notice by the Yemeni president secretly offering American forces unrestricted access to Yemeni territory to wage unilateral strikes against al Qaeda targets.

Awlaki's death will deal al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula a serious blow, said CBS News terrorism analyst Juan Zarate - particularly his work to draw young Muslims into the jihadi mindset.

"His role as a propagandist actually will be very difficult to fill," says Zarate.

Obama: Awlaki death "major blow" to terror
Obama, GOP leaders praise killing of Awlaki

Al-Awlaki's death is the latest in a run of high-profile kills for Washington under Mr. Obama. But the killing raises questions that the death of other al Qaeda leaders, including bin Laden, did not.

Al-Awlaki is a U.S. citizen, born in New Mexico to Yemeni parents, who had not been charged with any crime. Civil liberties groups have questioned the government's authority to kill an American without trial.

Al-Awlaki played a "significant operational role" in plotting and inspiring attacks on the United States, U.S. officials said Friday.

Khan, who was from North Carolina, wasn't considered operational but had published seven issues of the jihadist online magazine, offering advice on how to make bombs and the use of weapons.

2nd U.S. jihadist reported dead in drone attack
A look at al Qaeda's Web magazine

Seeking to justify the targeted killing of a U.S. citizen, President Obama outlined al-Awlaki's involvement in planning and directing attempts to murder Americans.

"He directed the failed attempt to blow up an airplane on Christmas Day in 2009. He directed the failed attempt to blow up U.S. cargo planes in 2010," Mr. Obama said. "And he repeatedly called on individuals in the United States and around the globe to kill innocent men, women and children to advance a murderous agenda."

U.S. officials have also said they believe al-Awlaki inspired the actions of Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Hasan, who is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the attack at Fort Hood, Texas.

In New York, the Pakistani-American man who pleaded guilty to the May 2010 Times Square car bombing attempt said he was "inspired" by al-Awlaki after making contact over the Internet.

Jameel Jaffer, deputy legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, condemned the drone attack on Awlaki, saying, "The targeted killing program violates both U.S. and international law.

"As we've seen today, this is a program under which American citizens far from any battlefield can be executed by their own government without judicial process, and on the basis of standards and evidence that are kept secret not just from the public but from the courts," Jaffer said. "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. 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."

• no previous page
• next

1/2

[hairynews]

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

He, Anwar Awlaki declared war on USA constantly, google him.

Anwar Awlaki said kill Americans, google him.

THE V AMENDMENT ABOVE STATES IF YOU ARE AT WAR OR PUBLIC DANGER , THE GLOVES COME OFF!

"except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger"
IF you declare war, carry out threats by bombings etc, then he was at war.

[hairynews]

The dead included eight children: five on American 77 ranging in age from 3 to 11, three on United 175 ages 2, 3, and 4.The youngest victim was a 2-1/2 year-old child on Flight 175, the oldest an 82 year-old passenger on Flight 11. In the buildings, the youngest victim was 17 and the oldest was 79.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_September_11_attacks

I suggest anyone who is against killing guys THAT DECLARED WAR ON USA and killed people take a momment and think.

Now that you have thought about it, now you can call the parents or survivors of these babies and kids killed on 9/11 and ask their opinion.

[berlinfoto-2009]

Constitutional issues, No constitutional issues as all, Anwar al-Awlaki was duly given a secret trial, in the star chamber, the identities of all participants are above top secret. We will never know the names of the prosecuting attorneys, the judge, or judges, the jurors, or the name of the defense attorneys or even if there were any.
This is setting the precedent, for the great American Inquisition coming soon to your home town.

[berlinfoto-2009]

(Quote) "In addition, given the sacred nature of these acts, counter-terrorism policies based on either appealing or the religiously motivated terrorists' self-interest or frightening them into surrendering by an overwhelming show of force will probably have little success. The religious drive to sacrifice and make one's life and one's cause holy transcends and subsumes any pragmatic or purely self-interested motivations. Identifying themselves as engaged in religious acts of sacrifice and understanding the West's orientation away from the spiritual and toward the pragmatic are two of the reasons that militant Islamicists repeatedly insist that the secular West will never understand them.5" (End of Quote)Page 60 "BLOOD THAT CRIES OUT FROM THE EARTH", written by James W. Jones
The reason, the one and only reason, their is a Jehad by the Muslims against the United States and other western nations, is that, the United States has occupying troops on their Holy Land.
And you can put that in your pipe and smoke it.

[Truthremains]

Just because your born here or swear allegience doesnt mean you are a true American. I have previously defended Ron Paul but now I take a second look. To say someone should be allowed to promote the killing of innocent Americans until proven guilty is stupid and I would not want this idiot "leading" my country. Fanaticism makes people impedent. He is a perveyor of aid and comfort to the enemy. If this were during the Civil War he would be hanged for treason. 70 % polled here say it was the right thing to do. Translated Ron that means go home and practice darts at your political enemies thats the most you can do. Also I have heard that Deady al-Awalki's father wants to sue America for the supposed assassination of this rat. I say let the survivors of those killed and the injured men and women of the Amed Forces
countersue or come up with their own lawsuit for damages.
Also some people say outlandish stuff on here just to inflame others dont fall prey to this. There are many sickos out there just read a few of these. God Keep on Blessing the USA!

[b4uigo]

Hey, give credit where it is due. It was Biden who fought for the drone program. His baby that one. This is certainly one thing that Obama's administration is doing right. Kill 'em where they work and save the taxpayers the expense of incarceration. Who cares if CAIR and the ACLU are pissed? They both hate America anyway. So how does this make you libs feel? Must really stick in your craw eh?

[rheola-2009]

It appears with GOP supporters, you are damnmed if you do, and you are damned if you do not.

I just l;ove their consistency.

[mysteriousjz]

Gun industry also "inspires" people to buy guns; thus they should be declared criminal enterprise encouraging crimes and murders against Americans

[UForgotPoland]

Sic semper proditor

[baileyccc]

I think we should have block parties all over the US for what president Obama has done. Those vocal republicans got nobody under Bush-Cheny leadership.