THE TELEGRAPH: An American-born cleric with links to al-Qaeda has warned the American people that President Barack Obama will mire US forces in Yemen just as in Afghanistan, in a message appearing on militant websites.
The 13-minute audio message, in English, comes days after the US Treasury department put Anwar al-Awlaki on its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
"If George W. Bush is remembered as being the president who got America stuck in Afghanistan and Iraq, it's looking like Obama wants to be remembered as the president who got America stuck in Yemen," he said.
Born in New Mexico, al-Awlaki, 39, is not perceived by American officials as a major tactical terror leader on par with al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.
But his role as an inspirational exhorter for al-Qaeda's cause and his growing involvement in plots aimed at the US has made him a prime target in the effort to counter the militant movement.
Six months ago the US government put al-Awlaki on a secret list of targets to be captured or killed, according to US officials.
In another message released separately, al-Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri vowed that the American troops would leave both Afghanistan and Iraq in "defeat." >>> | Tuesday, July 20, 2010
