This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-15132308

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Anwar al-Awlaki: Obama hails al-Qaeda death in Yemen Obama: Anwar Al-Awlaki death is major blow for al-Qaeda
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama has said the death of US-born al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki is a "major blow" to the organisation. US President Barack Obama has said the death of senior US-born al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen is a "major blow" to the organisation.
Awlaki was killed by a US drone strike in the Jawf province of Yemen, along with several of his associates. Yemen said Awlaki was killed in Jawf province, along with several of his associates - US officials said US drones had carried out the attack.
He is believed to have taken a leading role in a number of attempts to attack the US, including plots to blow up US airliners. Awlaki, who was of Yemeni descent, was a key figure in al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
Awlaki, who is of Yemeni descent, has been on the run in Yemen since 2007. He is believed to have been behind a number of attempts to attack the US.
Mr Obama said that as a leading figure in al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Awlaki had taken the lead in "planning and directing efforts to murder innocent Americans" and was also "directly responsible for the death of many Yemeni citizens". Mr Obama said that as a leading AQAP figure, Awlaki had taken the lead in "planning and directing efforts to murder innocent Americans" and was also "directly responsible for the death of many Yemeni citizens".
The death "marks another significant milestone in the broader effort to defeat al-Qaeda and its affiliates", he said. He said Awlaki had directed attempts to blow up US planes and had "repeatedly called on individuals in the United States and around the globe to kill innocent men, women and children to advance a murderous agenda".
He also paid tribute to the work of both the US intelligence agencies and Yemeni security officials who had co-operated on the killing. His death, said Mr Obama, "marks another significant milestone in the broader effort to defeat al-Qaeda and its affiliates".
The president also paid tribute to the work of both the US intelligence agencies and Yemeni security officials who had co-operated on the killing.
"This is further proof that al-Qaeda and its affiliates will find no safe haven anywhere in the world," he said, but warned that AQAP "remains a dangerous though weakened terrorist organisation"."This is further proof that al-Qaeda and its affiliates will find no safe haven anywhere in the world," he said, but warned that AQAP "remains a dangerous though weakened terrorist organisation".
'Online inspiration' 'Online inspiration'
In a brief statement on Friday, Yemen's defence ministry statement said Awlaki had been killed in Khashef in Jawf about 140km (87 miles) east of the capital, Sanaa, "along with some of his companions".In a brief statement on Friday, Yemen's defence ministry statement said Awlaki had been killed in Khashef in Jawf about 140km (87 miles) east of the capital, Sanaa, "along with some of his companions".
US and Yemeni officials later named one of those as Samir Khan, also a US citizen but of Pakistani origin, who produced an online magazine promoting al-Qaeda's ideology. US and Yemeni officials later named one of those as Samir Khan, also a US citizen but of Pakistani origin, who produced an online magazine which promoted al-Qaeda's ideology and gave instructions for making bombs.
US officials said Awlaki's convoy was hit by a US drone and jet strike. Unnamed US officials said Awlaki's convoy had been hit by a US drone strike, but Mr Obama has not commented on this.
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera says the killing is significant because Awlaki's use of modern media meant he was able to reach out and inspire people susceptible to radicalisation. BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera says the killing is significant because Awlaki's use of modern media enabled him to reach out to and inspire people susceptible to radicalisation.
He is accused ofHe is accused of
  • recruiting and preparing Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian man who tried but failed to bomb a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day 2009
  • overseeing a failed plot to blow up two US-bound cargo planes in 2010 with explosives hidden in printer cartridges
  • encouraging US Maj Nidal Malik Hasan to carry out the 2009 US army base killings in Fort Hood, Texas which killed 13 people
  • inspiring the man who carried out a failed bombing in New York's Times Square in 2010
  • inspired a British woman to stab her MP Stephen Timms over his support for the war in Iraq
  • plotting to use poisons including cyanide and ricin in attacks
  • repeatedly called for the killing of Americans, saying in a 2010 video online that they were from the "party of devils"
  • recruiting and preparing Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian man who tried but failed to bomb a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day 2009
  • overseeing a failed plot to blow up two US-bound cargo planes in 2010 with explosives hidden in printer cartridges
  • encouraging US Maj Nidal Malik Hasan to carry out the 2009 US army base killings in Fort Hood, Texas which killed 13 people
  • inspiring the man who carried out a failed bombing in New York's Times Square in 2010
  • inspired a British women to stab her MP Stephen Timms over his support for the war in Iraq
  • plotting to use poisons including cyanide and ricin in attacks
  • repeatedly called for the killing of Americans, saying in a 2010 video online that they were from the "party of devils"
Many people going to the mosque don't know who Anwar al-Awlaki is or that he used to preach there.
But the first reaction of many is positive. "He was a bad man who killed many people," says one man. "It is good that he is gone." Two thumbs up and a "good riddance" come from a young man who had heard of Awlaki's death just a few moments before.
But there is more nuanced reaction from others. "I like justice to be done the normal way," said Tariq Diap. "If you are guilty of doing something, we have a law, we have courts, we have a judge. Why don't we proceed the normal way?
"We are here to condemn terrorists. And this is an act of terrorism too. Because you take matters into your own hand."
Mr Obama is said to have personally ordered Awlaki's killing in 2010, but the al-Qaeda leader has survived several attempts on his life.Mr Obama is said to have personally ordered Awlaki's killing in 2010, but the al-Qaeda leader has survived several attempts on his life.
Late last year, he survived an air strike in Shabwa province in which at least 30 militants were killed. He was also the target of a US drone attack on 5 May which killed two al-Qaeda operatives in southern Yemen.Late last year, he survived an air strike in Shabwa province in which at least 30 militants were killed. He was also the target of a US drone attack on 5 May which killed two al-Qaeda operatives in southern Yemen.
The death comes amid concerns in Washington about the impact of Yemen's political crisis on its ability to tackle al-Qaeda militants. However, some in the US have criticised the administration's targeted killing of a US citizen abroad, arguing he should have been arrested and put on trial.
Republican congressman Ron Paul - an opponent of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - said the killing amounted to an assassination.
"He is an American citizen. He was never tried or charged with any crime. Nobody knows if he killed anyone," he told ABC News.
In a news briefing, White House spokesman Jay Carney would not give further details on the operation but said his role "has been well established" and that AQAP presented a "definite threat" to the US.
The killing comes amid concerns in Washington about the impact of Yemen's political crisis on its ability to tackle al-Qaeda militants.
President Ali Abdullah Saleh is facing a widespread protest movement, along with an armed insurrection by renegade army units and tribal fighters.President Ali Abdullah Saleh is facing a widespread protest movement, along with an armed insurrection by renegade army units and tribal fighters.
Mr Saleh, who was injured three months ago when his residence was shelled, returned last week after treatment in Saudi Arabia.Mr Saleh, who was injured three months ago when his residence was shelled, returned last week after treatment in Saudi Arabia.
In an interview published on Thursday, he said he would not stand down, as promised in a deal brokered by Gulf States, if his opponents are allowed to stand in elections to succeed him.In an interview published on Thursday, he said he would not stand down, as promised in a deal brokered by Gulf States, if his opponents are allowed to stand in elections to succeed him.