Yemen: Yemen claims al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) cleric Anwar al Awlaki killed in airstrike
Yemen’s Defense Ministry claimed that today its forces killed Anwar al Awlaki, the American cleric who serves as an operational commander for al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen. Samir Khan, another American who runs Inspire magazine, is also said to have been killed. The report has not been confirmed.
“The government of the Republic of Yemen announced today the death of Anwar Al Awlaki, the American born terrorist and member of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula,” the message stated. “Awlaki was targeted and killed 8 KM from the town of Khashef in the Province of Jawf (140KM east of the Capital Sana’a). The operation was launched earlier today at around 9:55 AM, local time.” Al Jawf province is a haven for al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
The Defense Ministry later said that Khan was also killed in the same strike. Khan runs AQAP’s English-language propaganda, and has published an article in Inspire entitled “I Am Proud to be a Traitor to America.” Prior to leaving the US last year, he ran the pro-al-Qaeda Inshallahshaheed website.