Global Security Newswire

The Yemeni branch of al-Qaeda on Monday verified that U.S. national Anwar al-Awlaki had been killed in a targeted U.S. airstrike but said the deceased extremist's influence would continue through a new crop of radicalized fighters, Reuters reported (see GSN, Oct. 3).

"We confirm ...the martyrdom of the mujahid heroic Sheikh Abu Abdul Rahman Anwar bin Nasser al-Awlaki," al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said in a posting on an Islamist website.

"(Awlaki) ... has students who he taught and disciples who benefited from him all over the Earth, who will follow his steps and his path to continue the correct methodology," the posting continued.

Al-Awlaki, who held dual Yemeni and U.S. citizenship, had been one of al-Qaeda's most prominent figures in recent years. U.S. officials believe the cleric was involved in planning the foiled Christmas Day 2009 bombing attempt of a passenger aircraft over Detroit as well as a stymied plot to detonate parcel bombs on cargo carriers flying over the United States last year (Jason Benham, Reuters I, Oct. 10).

President Obama last Thursday touted gains in U.S. efforts to eradicate al-Qaeda and its allies, Reuters reported.

"In delivering justice to Osama bin Laden and many other al-Qaeda leaders, we are closer than ever to defeating al-Qaeda and its murderous network," Obama said in a statement observing 10 years of U.S. fighting in Afghanistan.

The al-Qaeda chief was killed by U.S. Navy SEALs during a May raid in Pakistan.

The president recognized the "enormous challenges that remain in Afghanistan," though he asserted the U.S. military campaign there was making headway.

"We've pushed the Taliban out of its key strongholds, Afghan security forces are growing stronger, and the Afghan people have a new chance to forge their own future," Obama stated (Alister Bull, Reuters II, Oct. 8).