Al-Qaeda Second-in-Command Killed in Pakistan, US Official Says
- Posted on August 27, 2011 at 1:44pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
- Print »
- Email »
Atiyah Abd al-Rahman, who rose to Al Qaida's No. 2 spot after Osama bin Laden's death, was killed in Pakistan, a U.S. official said Saturday.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Al-Qaida’s second-in-command, Atiyah Abd al-Rahman, has been killed in Pakistan, delivering another big blow to a terrorist group that the U.S. believes to be on the verge of defeat, a senior Obama administration official said Saturday.
The Libyan national who was the network’s former operational leader rose to al-Qaida’s No. 2 spot after the U.S. killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden during a raid on his Pakistan compound in May.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said last month that al-Qaida’s defeat was within reach if the U.S. could mount a string of successful attacks on the group’s weakened leadership.
“Now is the moment, following what happened with bin Laden, to put maximum pressure on them,” Panetta said, “because I do believe that if we continue this effort we can really cripple al-Qaida as a major threat.”
Al-Rahman was killed Aug. 22 in the lawless Pakistani tribal region of Waziristan, according to the official said, who insisted on anonymity to discuss intelligence issues.
The official would not say how al-Rahman was killed. But his death came on the same day that a CIA drone strike was reported in Waziristan. Such strikes by unmanned aircraft are Washington’s weapon of choice for killing terrorists in the mountainous, hard-to-reach area along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Al-Rahman, believed to be in his mid-30s, was a close confidant of bin Laden and once served as bin Laden’s emissary to Iran.
Al-Rahman was allowed to move freely in and out of Iran as part of that arrangement and has been operating out of Waziristan for some time, officials have said.
Born in Libya, al-Rahman joined bin Laden as a teenager in Afghanistan to fight the Soviet Union.
After Navy SEALs killed bin Laden, they found evidence of al-Rahman’s role as operational chief, U.S. officials have said.
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 682 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 640 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 523 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 360 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 313 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 154 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 189 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 146 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Scathing New Ad Capitalizes on Rep. Ryan‘s ’Fading Obama Posters’ Remark 124 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 154 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (79)
Earningit
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:50pmBa da bum bum bum. Another one bites the dust. Good job boys, keep it up
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:32pmAl Qaeda’s second in Command,Clyde The Camel, was killed to day In Pakistan so we can send them more money.
Report Post »Bernard
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:30pmThe concept that the Al-Qaeda is about to collapse flies in the face that this terrorist organization has cells across the globe. Al-Qaeda means “The base” thereby insinuating that it is the base for a plethora of other terrorist networks.
Report Post »I hope Obama is right but reading newspapers from other nations and terrorist attacks that seem to continue unabated we are far from defeating the global Muslim terrorist network and stand a great possibility of an attack upon our soil as a reprisal to the death of both these Al-Qaeda leaders.
jzs
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 4:22pmThis is yet another proof that President Obama is weak on terrorism and is a Muslim and is only killing terrorists like OBL to conceal that fact. I’m sure he has a sweet deal with terrorists that allows him to one after one with drone attacks in exchange for, uh, supporting them somehow. Because we all know Obama loves terrorists.
Bernard says that we, “stand a great possibility of an attack upon our soil as a reprisal to the death of both these Al-Qaeda leaders.” Bernard, Al-Qaeda is going to try to attack us whether we kill their guys or not. I find it a joke when the terrorists, who are doing all they can to kill us already, say they are going to try even harder to kill us to revenge someone’s death.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:32pmWhile I am still waiting for Vice President Cheney’s book to be released, I will gladly take this moment to congratulate the fabulous United States intelligence and military and homeland security communities for keeping us safe, just as President Bush envisioned when he tripled the size of our fabulous Government employee workforce during the last 6 years of his administration.
I wish we could start paying off some of that debt now, though.
TEA
Report Post »muhamadhater
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:49pmthe sad thing is that we have alot more 2 worry about then alqaida..this is what my source is when I say that… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMLJJEDDDGc
Report Post »Hope everyone sees this its an eye opener for sure GOD bless!!
loriann12
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:03pm@jzs
wow, I think we agree on something. My thought was, how convieeeeeenient, right before election time.
Report Post »StrongWesternbabeluvinherWesternMAN
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 11:03pmobl (will not capitalize to give any respect) was handed over by the clerics because he had become a rambling idiot…..”pakeestan’ as President B OB calls this country, knew they had this guy and they didn’t want to feed the alzheimer guy anymore so they gave him to this admin. as a tool to for this group to deceive the AMERICAN people……..THE AMERICAN MILITARY is a most honored group of men and women who took an oath to the president of these UNITED STATES……they followed orders and with their diligent training and hard work (which I believe was USED by this administration for their own glory) went as ordered to relieve this world of another murderer……did the job ……but when this finally comes out and we dispose of this group currently sucking everything we have…..those soldiers (actually true Americans who should be in charge) will tell us……..We need to tell all politicians that the ‘veil has been lifted’ and the truth marches on………fool us once shame on us…..fool twice…then……then……what Americans…..fool us twice???? are you going to fooled again?,,,,get off your duffs and read and educate yourselves on 1 thing that bugs you….1 thing that rips your American heart out……then go stand for that ‘1’ thing……if each of us are standing for that ‘1’ thing……what
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:30pmLet US not get over-confident but this is good news.
Report Post »BlesstheJews
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:29pmIsnt this the 38th “Second in command” of Al Queda we killed in the past 7 years?
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:45pmImagine how much the guy that’s now named second in command is shaking right now! LOL!
-Al Be Dancin’ Rhamalama Ding Dong is now second in command.
Report Post »* No, no! I don’t want it, pick someone else, please!
-But your number came up today;
*OH Allah! What the hell!
tifosa
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 5:08pmYou bring up a good point, I always thought the second in command was Ayman al-Zawahari….oh yeh, he was. Until he was killed. In an air attack, under President Barack Hussein Obama, Commander in Chief. hhmm.
Report Post »Wilkins
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 4:44amYeah, being Al Qaida’s second in command is a role formerly played by the third guy on the away team. from the original Star Trek series. You know, the guy in the red shirt.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:27pmBy now the Towel boy who hands out the turbans should be second in Command.How many “Second in Commands” do these guys have?Or when Popularity plummets they just shoot the nearest dude on a camel and call him second in command?
Report Post »weeblewacker1
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:24pmgee just a little over 2 years in office,and Obama is kicking more terrorist butt than georgy did in 8! imagine that.
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:47pmDon’t think Obama has anything to do with it. I give credit to the Marines, Army and Air Forces on the ground.
Report Post »556play
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 4:01pmObama has nothing to do with it…..He has been on vacation since he has taken office. Besides that he loves his muslim terrorist brothers.
Report Post »Wilkins
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 4:47amGood point 556. If Michelle Obama would just stop planning vacations, perhaps Barrack could devote a few more work hours to preventing these deaths (of terrorists).
Report Post »babylonvi
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:23pmIs he really dead or did they give him a million dollars and put him in the witness protection program?
Report Post »Inquiring minds want to know, and have proof.
AR15Rick
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:09pmwheres the body ? wheres OBL body ?
Report Post »Wilkins
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 4:51amOBL is being waterboarded in a secret location. The Marines reported his death to throw Al Qaida and the regime off the track.
Thanks to dumping the corpse in the sea, there’s as much evidence to support this explanation as any other.
Report Post »I SPY
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:57pmGood riddance. Enjoy your time in hell.
Report Post »muhamadhater
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:07pmHey here’s news that proves that Isreal should NOT EVER give the palistinians an inch of land let alone land from the 67 borders, cause no matter what Isreal does, they will never get the peace that they want and are lookin for!!! GOD bless!!
Report Post »http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2011/August/Ahmadinejad-No-Room-For-Israel-in-the-Region-/
buckster6.0
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:13pmI can see it now… Hey you guys hear somthin?
Report Post »buckster6.0
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:17pmOr is it…hey look a shootin star everybody make a wish.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:52pmEverytime we turn around we get news of another commander or second in command has been taken out. Since they lie about everything else I just really doubt this as well. Chances are old barrie boy has to try to get his poll numbers up somehow. They all make me SICK to my stomach. How many second in command can they have??? Guess as many as obama needs!@
Report Post »weeblewacker1
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:27pmummm,neverending,stop and think of what you just wrote,and now look at your nick,does it make sense to you now? just like any organization,they replace the ones that go bye-bye.it is truly,“neverending”.
Report Post »BONETRAUMA
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:44pmAnother sandbrother bites the big pork sandwich
Report Post »Joyzee
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:41pmthe Pres/Polls @ 39%…OK! Boy‘s go get ’emmmmmmm NOW!
Report Post »douglassoileau
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:40pmMy condolences to the, “Biden”, Family……….From the Tea Party
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:36pmHEY EDITORS, how about starting a thread on GlennBeck calling Irene a blessing then print the story of THE LITTLE BOY who died!!!! >:( DISGUSTING!!!
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:55pmsong reminds me of u tifosa
Lyrics to Still Counting :
Counting all the arseholes in the room
Well I´m definitely not alone, well I´m not alone
You´re a lier, you´re a cheater, you´re fool
Well that´s just like me yoohoo and I know you too
Mr. Perfect don´t exist my little friend
And I tell you it again, and I do it again
Counting all the arseholes in the room, Well I´m
definitely not alone, well I´m not alone
Look deep into yourself before you blame all others
Report Post »for betrayal, for betrayal
I promise, so easy to say, and easy you failed,
and you do it again
fatjack
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:25pmtifosa sugar you need one of your wings filed.
Report Post »Look4DBigPicture
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 3:32pmTIFOSA…Either you take hal’lucinatory drugs or have a very sick mind to even dream up the things you post on the Blaze. You’re disgusting and need to go back to HuffPost with all your like-minded friends!
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 4:35pmAs a matter of fact, that‘s EXACTLY what’s happening on huffpo. They have the tape: In the process of telling you how stupid you are if you‘ve listened to him and didn’t obey: “If you’ve waited, this hurricane is a blessing, it is a blessing, It is God reminding you, as was the earthquake last week it’s God reminding you, you’re not in control things can happen, be prepared…“ and Beck supporters are saying ”he didn’t say the hurricane is a blessing” uh, yeh. Not only did he call it a blessing, he called it an act of God. There will be some stark differences in 2012, bring it on.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 4:43pmIt’s a tragic event during which four people have died, people’s businesses have been impaired or destroyed.
Report Post »ENCNIOM
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 2:39amand what – we are suppose to lap you your BS when Huff In Puff takes his meaning out of context. Go back to your hole until your Progressive masters call you again. You are an epic failure and not even on topic. How does a story on Al Qaida have anything to do with Glenn Beck. If you want the editors to do a story on how Huff In Puff uses video clips to smear a persons character then email them. Other than that STFU moron.
Report Post »Devil Dog 7175
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:26pmPakistan…Pakistan…Where have I heard that name before? OH yes… our ally in the war on terror..(urp) “scuse me”… just threw up in my mouth a little… Funny how that place just keeps popping up.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:30pmYou are right it does stink.
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:44pm~v~^~v~^~v~^~
That entire region needs to be turned to glass. Im sick of hearing about Pakistan. Oh and how does it feel America these dirtbags are operating there and getting YOUR TAX DOLLARS in aid!!
Lets also not forget that after the UBL operation they let the Chinese have a look at the Blackhawk helicopter remains. Pakistan is not our friend, neither are the Iraqis, Saudis, Egyptians etc etc. http://SavingtheRepublic.com
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:26pmBig whoop. I am just as concerned at the riots in Europe and the “revolutions” all over Africa and the Middle East as I am about the Islamic fanatics. And then there are the home grown crazies. Think this anarchistic virus has infected far too many males all over the globe. And having Holder , Panetta and Obama “ in charge” is the scariest part of all.
Report Post »thecrow
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:25pmGet this guy yet?
http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/the-talented-mr-pearlman/
Report Post »paulusmaximus
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:18pmObama’s lackeys say: We have um on da run! Probably to NYC, to set off a dirty bomb. The only thing this White House is defeating is the American Dream!
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:02pmProve it.. I am still waiting for the proof of Bin Laden!
Report Post »HKS
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:07pmNo head, no dead.
Report Post »PJL
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 1:56pmWoot! Woot!
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 1:55pmBOOM! Head-shot I hope.
“Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said last month that al-Qaida’s defeat was within reach if the U.S. could mount a string of successful attacks on the group’s weakened leadership.”
Slow down there Leon… there are many, many more out there looking for their 15 minutes of fame and Matyrdom… not to mention the 72 virgins with cloth bags over their heads.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:00pmLeon the Alf inpersonator seems to be getting ahead of himself with his comments. Defeat? There are millions more just like this guy.
Report Post »We are going to need a bigger drone.
YepImaConservative
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:13pmYeah, the left Chided Bush on his “Mission Accomplished” banner. This will never be over with the Muslames.., so we should never, never signal our feelings, intentions… or desire for it to be over. The “War On Us” countered by our “War On Terror” will only succeed with many years of killing them where they breed.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:30pmYepImaConservative
Agreed.
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 1:51pmMight score Obama some political points,but there are a million more dirtbags just as dangerous as this dude slithering around over there.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 1:49pmOkay, Panetta is a Obama lacky charged with destruction of the armed forces in any and all ways that he can; so why should I honestly believe him or the administration?
This one admin has lied and lied and lied continuosly on so many things that there is no way anyone with any common sense can trust anything they have said or do; and after downing of the helicoptor that had members of Seal Team Six on it, will there be another Taliban or Al Qaida blamed reprisal for this so called victory?
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:00pmI like your thinking there, Snow. Now if you could just have a little more skepticism in the last administration…they were criminals also.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:13pmI’m sorry for singling you out there Snow. I apologize. Peace.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:15pmI don’t trust anything coming out of this administration…or the last one…or the one before that…or the one before that…lol.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:17pmExactly…I want to know who made the kill and who confirmed it. If Pakistan is saying they did both, then I would sooner believe it is snowing in H-E-double toothpicks.
I would not put it passed them to help him escape or hide and come up with a fake story and body.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 1:46pmBOOYAH! Thanks troops and President Obama!!!!
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 1:57pmI read that booya is the process of slitting your wrists to the point of feeling anemic for the sole purpose of writing depressing poems. When one booyahs, they are often situated in remote locations so as to be segregated from the rest of society. For optimal results, one should booyah on a Friday night. Since most people are outside enjoying their weekends, no one will even notice that you are gone.
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:01pmLMAO LET US PREY… some funny sh*t there. Hahahahahahaha!
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:02pmawwww, sowwy you hab a witto souw puth today ;^)
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:04pmHahahahahaha…. LET US PREY…. funny stuff.
Report Post »MHP
Posted on August 27, 2011 at 2:10pmHow bout just thanks to the troops. leave Obama out of it, he had nothing to do with it.
Report Post »