Exclusive: CIA Aircraft Kills Terrorist (the new #3 is toast)

ABC News ^

[jmc1969]

Senior Al Qaeda Operative Struck by Predator Missile

May 13, 2005 — A senior al Qaeda operative was killed by a missile fired from a CIA Predator aircraft on the Pakistani side of the remote area near the Afghan border earlier this week, U.S. intelligence officials told ABC News.

Haitham al-Yemeni, a native of Yemen known for his bomb-making skills, had been tracked for some time in the hope that he would help lead the United States to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, intelligence officials said. But with the recent capture in northwest Pakistan of Abu Faraj al-Libbi, thought to be al Qaeda's No. 3 man, officials worried al-Yemeni would soon go into hiding, and decided to take action.

Al-Yemeni was in line to replace al-Libbi, intelligence analysts said.

"It's an important step that has been taken in that it has eliminated another level of experienced leadership from the directorate of al Qaeda itself," said Vince Cannistraro, former head of counterterrorism for the CIA and now an ABC News consultant. "It will help weaken the organization and make it much less effective."

The CIA has the authority to fire at will against senior al Qaeda figures anywhere in the world, though it is unclear whether the Pakistanis approved of the action in advance. A spokesman for the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C., said he was unaware of any such actions this week.

"There is a determination by the president that any member of al Qaeda that can be identified can be attacked," said Cannistraro.

[ProudVet77]

We just bought 144 of the Predator-As big brother. ;)
Each of them can in theory carry 30 hellfire missiles. That could take care of #4 through #33.

[cjohnson7771]

Tsk... tsk... tsk.... Next.

[dennisw]

Why a good terrorist is a good moslem Only 1 message in topic - view as tree Anonymous Jul 10 1999, 3:00 am show options Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket From: Anonymous ­; - Find messages by this author Date: 1999/07/10 Subject: Why a good terrorist is a good moslem Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Show original | Report Abuse For the benefit of readers who question the validity of passages I have also included page and line references to "The Koran", translated by M.J. Dawood, Fourth revised edition, Penguin Press, ISBN 0-14-044052-6. The paperback version can be obtained at a very nominal cost and if you have always wondered what it would by like to write Mein Kampf on LSD then this is the book for you. What is it that makes the Moslem mind so subject to criminality and the display of such violent tendencies right from his/her childhood days? The answer lies in the systematic inculcation that Moslems are subjected to since birth. Going by the verbatim text of the Quran, the literal word of God according to Moslems, the Moslem is exhorted to kill, mutilate, molest, rape and steal. Unlike Christianity, where the Pope admitted that the church was wrong in the case of Galileo and Copernicus, no such statement is expected from Mecca on any matter relating to the contents of Quran because it must be accepted literally. The impressionist student learns that according to the Quran: Quran 5:51, Dawood p393, line 17 "Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends. They are friends with one another. Whoever of you seeks their friendship shall become one of their number." According to the Quran this is how one should capture, torture and kill unbelievers (infidels) which includes Christians, Jews and Hindus: Quran 47:4, Dawood p124, line 4 "When you meet the unbelievers in the Jihad strike off their heads and, when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly. Then grant them their freedom or take ransom from them, until War shall lay down her armour." Quran (69:30-37), Daewood p61, line 14 "Lay hold of him and bind him. Burn him in the fire of Hell, then fasten him with a chain seventy cubits long." Quran (8:12), Daewood p315, line 4 "I shall cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, maim them in every limb." Quran (5:33-34), Daewood p 391, line 6 "Those that make war upon Allah and His apostle and spread disorders in the land shall be put to death or crucified, or have their hands and feet and alternate sides cut off, or be banished from the country. " Quran (22:19-22), Daewood p403, line 11 "Garments of fire have been prepared for the unbelievers. scalding water shall be poured down their heads, melting their skins and that which is in their bellies." If this was published today it would be banned as hate literature. The point is, Moslems today not only swear by all the above, but also practice it. What is wrong with all this? After all the Quran, by which the Moslem swear, sanctions such behavior. Advocating killing brings forth another interesting point because it violates the sixth commandment which states, Thou shall not kill. Prescribing views contrary to this is cited as strong evidence that Quran is Satanic in its origins.

[pubmom]

Does anyone have an address for where I can send flowers? ;)

[quantim]

[Dog]

He was a biggie......this is only the fourth time they have taken out a senior leader using this method.

[paul51]

I like the idea of wasting him before he got promoted. Next!

[cardinal4]

"It's an important step that has been taken in that it has eliminated another level of experienced leadership from the directorate of al Qaeda itself," said Vince Cannistraro, former head of counterterrorism for the CIA and now an ABC News consultant. "It will help weaken the organization and make it much less effective."

He must be big demand these days..

[Dog]

???

[bvw]

That was the first thing that ran through my mind, too!

[Dog]

Fyi.....for Hugh.

[GSlob]

As the number 3 seems to be a particularly unlucky number for them (like #13 in more traditional settings) they will soon start doing without it, instituting #4 and 4-prime.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

Sweet.

That was my reaction also.

[SmithL]

Candygram for Haitham.

Candygram for Haitham.

[dennisw]

Hugh as in Jihadwatch?

[GVnana]

killed by a missile fired from a CIA Predator aircraft

That could hurt your pride.

[Dog]

Freepmail.

[Nick Danger]

[Riptides]

I love the smell of fried Yemeni.

[Dog]

This means al-libbi is talking..