Yemen

Index

Yemen Main Page
New Nation Falls into Civil War
Militants Strike in Yemen
Regional Violence and the Strengthening of al-Qaeda Make Yemen a Volatile State
Cease-Fire Tentatively Ends Six-Year War
Protests Push President Saleh to Announce He Will Not Run for Reelection
American-born al-Qaeda Leader Killed by U.S. Drone
Saleh Cedes Power and Given Immunity

American-born al-Qaeda Leader Killed by U.S. Drone

In September, a missile fired from an American drone aircraft in Yemen killed Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical, U.S.-born Islamic cleric who was an influential figure in al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Born in New Mexico in 1971, Awlaki became radicalized as a college student and started preaching about global jihad and Islamic extremism at mosques. He moved to Yemen in 2004 and his anti-American sermons grew more threatening. Fluent in both English and Arabic, he was known for his charisma and ability to attract a devoted and passionate following. He is believed to have inspired Nidal Malik Hasan, the U.S. Army psychiatrist who is accused of killing 12 fellow soldiers and a civilian in a shooting spree at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. As head of external operations of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Awlaki is believed to have been involved in planning attacks against U.S. targets.