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Arabia

Obama: Awlaqi death 'major blow' to al Qaeda

2011-10-01

[Dawn]

President Barack B.O. Obama said Friday the killing of US-born holy man Anwar al-Awlaqi was "major blow" to al Qaeda's Yemeni franchise and vowed to be relentless in destroying global terror networks.

"The death of Awlaqi is a major blow to al Qaeda's most active operational affiliate. (It) marks another significant milestone in the broader effort to defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates," Obama said.

Obama said Awlaqi was the leader of external operations of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and had taken the lead in planning and directing efforts to murder innocent Americans.

He said Awlaqi's killing in an air raid in Yemen was a tribute to the US intelligence community and to Yemen's cooperation with the United States in a common anti-terror campaign.

He also warned that though "weakened," AQAP was still "dangerous" Going forward, we will remain vigilant against any threats to the United States or our allies and partners.

"But make no mistake,
I once thought it'd be amusing to down a shot every time B.O. said 'make no mistake.' Now I think my liver's going...
Light up a smoke every time he says, "let me be clear" and you'll die of emphysema for sure...
"this is further proof that al Qaeda and its affiliates will find no safe haven anywhere in the world.

Posted by:Fred

#7 "The death of Awlaqi is a major blow to al Qaeda's most active operational affiliate. (It) marks another significant milestone in the broader effort to defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates," Obama said,

discovering these facts for the very first time as he read the words someone else wrote and listened to them come out of his mouth, no doubt in a decisive tone which doesn't quite convince anyone beyond himself that he actively participates in formulating policy, or really has much knowledge of it at all.

Posted by: RandomJD 2011-10-01 13:33

#6 We should all remain mindful of the fact that retaliation is a normal course of action and these major losses to AQ may stimulate AQ to respond. The more publicity, the more AQ is stimulated to repond. Continuing to feed the rabid dog, so to speak.

Threats by Obama and others that we can destroy other AQ threats wherever they hide does not take into account the long waiting line of seething replacements and ignores the time factor. Realistically, the mean time between targeting a high-value individual and actually achieving success against that target is often measured in months or years, so defenders and other stakeholders (US Citizens at home and abroad) have to deal with threats of retaliation from survivors in AQ or more incidental threats from non-affiliated loner types like the MAJ Hasan's, etc.

All said, this explains my lack of enthusiasm for the euphoria and celebration of these of events. Better executed are the ones now taking place in Iran which produce little or no notice. Once again, our amateurs in Washington are doing us no favours.

Posted by: Besoeker 2011-10-01 10:05

#5 There was also the Shoe Bomber.

Posted by: Eohippus Phater7165 2011-10-01 08:41

#4 Al-Awlaqi was also the imam to 3 of the 911 hijackers as well as the airliner underwear bomber (fail). In addition there was the failed Times Square car bomber, last years disrupted Portland Christ tree lighting ceremony bombing and bombs aboard air freight packages. There was also a stabbing of an MP in England. Good riddance. Too bad his extended family didn't burn up with him.

Posted by: Eohippus Phater7165 2011-10-01 08:27

#3 al-Awlaqi was the imam that facilitated and encouraged Maj. Hasan's attacks on his own unit within the US, gromky.

Even our little bit of open source info here at the Burg has documented quite a few naturalized (and increasingly native born, IIUC) US citizens who were persuaded by him to head over to Yemen or Pakistan, pick up some training and materials, and return to attempt attacks here. He also directed / aided the Detroit airline bombing attempt and the 2007 attack on the London tube.

These may seem like small things to you. In certain Islamicist circles, they are seen as proof positive that the Great Satan is becoming demoralized and will soon fall to the ummah.

Posted by: lotp 2011-10-01 08:10

#2 Well, good job but it's not the stake in the heart. Awlaqi talked a good game but not sure how important he really was. Good luck getting a 2-for-1 deal with the other AQ publicist.

Posted by: gromky 2011-10-01 03:45

#1 The omnipotent wet worker speaks of "tributes" (to his supreme leadership of course); weakened enemies (gotta have weak enemies, boogie men, etc); of making mistakes (get a clue you waspi, unbelieving, fly-overville little people), and of lastly but not least of "proofs" and threats. Such wisdom. I feel like, well, just bowing in awe.

Posted by: Besoeker 2011-10-01 00:26

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