With the killing of the American-born Anwar al-Awlaki in a remote town of Yemen by a CIA drone, President Obama recently announced that this marked “a significant milestone” to defeat Al-Qaeda and its allies, commending US intelligence and Yemen forces on this successful attack.
President Obama, “The death of Awlaki is a major blow to al Qaeda’s most active operational affiliate. He repeatedly called on individuals in the United States and around the globe to kill innocent men, women and children to advance a murderous agenda. This is further proof that al-Qaeda and its affiliates will find no safe haven anywhere in the world.”
Although, this brings a two-year manhunt of one of the most dangerous Al-Qaeda leaders to an end, the killing of this Islamic cleric has also raised questions amongst libertarians in the United States of conducting such operations without due process.
Another Al-Qaeda operative known as Samir Khan, who was the editor of an online magazine known as “Inspire”, was also killed during this missile attack.
Obama had first authorized the killing of Awlaki in April last year, making it the first time that a US citizen living on foreign soil was targeted perhaps for the reason that he was involved in four plots against American civilians in recent years.
With the loss of another top Al-Qaeda leader this year, this has not only weakened the terrorist organization but has established Obama as a President able to make tough decisions when it comes to national security unlike the weak commander-in-chief and global leader that the Republicans consider him to be.