Global Security Studies Practicum

04 November 2011 Most Americans have heard about Anwar al-Awlaki’s death and President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s struggle to remain in office; however, they fail to realize the increase of Al Qaeda’s presence in the Arabian Peninsula ( AQAP ). Al-Awlaki, an American-born Yemeni, was one of AQAP’s prominent leaders who specialized in recruiting and inspiring terrorists. His assassination and the convergence of Islamist fighters to regions around Zinjibar and Jaar have strengthened AQAP control of Yemen’s South. Bearded men have allowed the flow of artillery weapons and tanks in that area, as well. Although, Al Qaeda has dominated this region for some time, Saleh’s cooperation with the United States allowed the West to maintain some control. Saleh currently waits on the international guarantees of no prosecution, while the country remains at a stalemate due to the recent violence in Sana. Pro-democracy youths are angered at the Saudis and U.S. for agreeing to overlook Saleh’s past crimes t...

(Yemen)- Exactly two weeks after US drone strikes killed Anwar Al-Awlaki , another drone strike has claimed the life of his 21-year-old son, Abdul Rahman Anwar Awlaki. The attack in the Shabwa district claimed nine militants, including Ibrahim al-Banna, head media officer for al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) . Reports indicate the younger Awlaki had been hiding in the mountains for more than eight months. Washington continues to stamp out the threat from AQAP, the most active and dangerous branch of al-Qaida and the perpetrators of the failed attack of the underwear bomber . The strike was one of five overnight drone attacks aimed at al-Qaida positions in Shawba and Abyan . Anwar al-Awlaki was formerly the senior leader of the AQAP before his death September 30th. There has been no comment from the al-Awlaki family. Source: www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2011-10-15/yemen-militants-drone-strikes/50784330/1?csp=34news Reliability: 9