Government

Senior Al-Qaeda Leader Wanted For His Role in USS Cole Bombing Killed in Yemen Airstrike

Wanted for His Role in USS Cole Bombing, Fahd al Quso Killed in Airstrike in Yemen(The Blaze/AP) — An airstrike Sunday killed a top al-Qaida leader on the FBI’s most wanted list for his role in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole warship, Yemeni officials said. The drone attack was carried out by the CIA, U.S. officials said.

Fahd al-Quso was hit by a missile as he stepped out of his vehicle, along with another al-Qaida operative in the southern Shabwa province, Yemeni military officials said. They were speaking on condition of anonymity in accordance with military regulations.

The drone strike that killed Quso was carried out by the CIA, after an extended surveillance operation by the CIA and U.S. military, two U.S. officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The strike was authorized by the Yemeni government, which then made the announcement after the operation was complete, the officials said, part of the U.S. strategy to give the host government more public ownership of the operation being carried out on Yemeni soil.

The airstrike came as the U.S. and Yemen cooperate in a battle against al-Qaida in southern Yemen.

Al-Quso, 37, was on the FBI’s most wanted list, with a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture. He was indicted in the U.S. for his role in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in the harbor of Aden, Yemen, in which 17 American sailors were killed and 39 injured.

He served more than five years in a Yemeni prison for his role in the attack and was released in 2007. He briefly escaped prison in 2003 but later turned himself in to serve the rest of his sentence.

A telephone text message claiming to be from al-Qaida’s media arm confirmed al-Quso was killed in the strike.

Al-Quso was also one of the most senior al-Qaida leaders publicly linked to the 2009 Christmas airliner attack. He allegedly met with the suspected Nigerian bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, in Yemen before he left on his way to execute his failed attack over Detroit with a bomb concealed in his underwear.

Wanted for His Role in USS Cole Bombing, Fahd al Quso Killed in Airstrike in Yemen

Damage to the USS Cole in Aden, Yemen (Photo: AP)

In December 2010, al-Quso was designated a global terrorist by the State Department, an indication that his role in al-Qaida’s Yemen offshoot, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, had grown more prominent.

Local Yemeni official Abu Bakr bin Farid and the Yemeni Embassy in Washington confirmed al-Quso was killed in Rafd, a remote mountain valley in Shabwa. It is the area where many al-Qaida leaders are believed to have taken cover, including the U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Yemen last year.

Yemeni government officials reported that al-Quso and al-Awlaki were killed in an airstrike in 2009 in Rafd, but they both resurfaced alive.

Al-Quso was known for his ability to move in disguise. He was from the same tribe as al-Awlaki, and local tribesmen said he was a close aide. He studied ultraconservative Salafi Islam as a teenager in northern Yemen, then returned home to learn welding.

The White House and the State Department had no immediate comment.

Wanted for His Role in USS Cole Bombing, Fahd al Quso Killed in Airstrike in Yemen

Yemen’s government has been waging an offensive on al-Qaida militants, who have taken advantage of the country’s political turmoil over the last year to expand their hold in the south.

The new Yemeni president has promised improved cooperation with the U.S. to combat the militants. On Saturday, he said the fight against al-Qaida is in its early stages.

Al-Quso’s association with al-Qaida dated back more than a decade, when he met with Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. Bin Laden allegedly told him to “eliminate the infidels from the Arabian Peninsula.”

From there he rose through the ranks. He was assigned in Aden to videotape the 1998 suicide bombing of the USS Cole, but he fell asleep.

Despite the lapse, the local leader, Nasser al-Wahishi, declared him the regional leader in Aden. He was also believed to have played a prominent role in al-Qaida’s attack and capture last year of Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan province.

Government troops are trying to drive al-Qaida out of Zinjibar.

Comments (58)

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  • PT_John
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 8:02am

    When it comes to Terrorists, President Obama is a KILLING MACHINE!!
    I‘m sure they are relieved they aren’t going to be water-boarded.

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 9:19am

      Yep, another Al-Qaeda leader we’ll never get any information out of. By the time Romney takes over, we’ll have very little actionable intelligence.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • gr8t2bfree
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:05pm

      Just put them in a room with Biden. Who needs water boarding. They will laugh themselves to death!

      Report Post » gr8t2bfree  
    • docgreen
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:36pm

      Texasbeta
      You asked how does islam effect our daily lives? Well this effects us all every day! For me, each and every terrorist we kill is a Great Day! I hate killing anyone, but when it comes to Kill or be killed I’ll stand and do my part against the terrorists!….

      Report Post »  
  • zoro51
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:04am

    a murdering muslum rots in hell THANK YOU JESUS… ISLAM IS A MAN MADE CULT OF HATE N DEATH…

    Report Post » zoro51  
  • Warm In The Desert
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 1:57am

    NIce to see you Yanks are involved in Yemem…the latest playground for Al-Queada.

    Sun, sand, surf, and “Birds of Prey” seeking out, destroying, and making into dust the purveyors of unrest in the world.

    Bravo

    Report Post » Warm In The Desert  
  • Free2speakRN
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:56am

    Kill one, release the strength of numbers.

    Report Post »  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:01am

    Now where’s the outrage about using drones to kill terrorists in the hail-to-the-king MSM?

    So they kill a terrorist with a drone and put it on a banner “Mission Accomplished” and then they release a whole bunch of the terrorists in Afghanistan with a guarantee of a “pledge to peace.”

    Can you say schizophrenic?

    Darn, are the little people supposed to feel good about this?

    I can see the Messiah-in-Chief patting his image on the back. Which image is that you say? Well, I could mention a few of his multiple personalities. It’s called compression. You know. He picks up a few things here and a few things there, and he compartmentalizes it and becomes it, then he projects it on others.

    Our foreign policy is downright maniacal. And suicidal. It makes about as much sense as the road we’ve travelled toward their tyranny over us and death by government.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • tomacz
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:50pm

    RIP al quso,may you meet the half-skulled dogs of hell in your burning wrecked car as in CONSTANTINE

    Report Post »  
  • Maxim Crux
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:49pm

    …and Clinton and Obama remorse.

    Report Post »  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:27pm

    Life has become plastic. Imagine the CIA agent who pulled the trigger; then, rapps up the day in the control room and heads out to a nice suburban home to grill up dinner for his family and a couple friends. It’s sick. We have santitized killing.

    Report Post »  
    • RedDirtTexas
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 7:52am

      No We got the puke who masterminded the bombing of the USS Cole and the attempted bombing of an airliner on our soil. You feeling for this monster?

      Report Post » RedDirtTexas  
  • pma_guy
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:14pm

    Bye Bye A…Hole. Hello Devil.

    Report Post » pma_guy  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:09pm

    And Another One Bits The DUST

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • OperationNorthwoods
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:19pm

    His buddy Al-Alwaki dined at the pentagon a few month’s after 911.

    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/10/20/al-qaeda-terror-leader-dined-pentagon-months/

    Remember Al-Alwaki was also killed by a drone in Yemen with no evidence produced either. They are probably both on a beach somewhere spending our tax money that they got from the CIA. Sorry but this crap is so obviously staged.

    Report Post » OperationNorthwoods  
    • MEANS2RESIST
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:06am

      Agreed NORTHWOODS, when we going to hear I, I, I,, uhh,, ordered this strike, on uhh,, a terrorist Me, me, me, uhmmm uhh, we are nnow safer,, uhhh look @ me I am tough on made up terrorists.

      hey Barry, I thought you said the war on terror was over? Oh, thats right we are the terroists now.

      No body, no photo, it did not happen. ANOTHER LIE!

      Report Post » MEANS2RESIST  
  • lassiegirldawn
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:42pm

    Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Did our Commie In Chief kill him to?

    Report Post »  
  • recoveringneocon
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:32pm

    This is Total BS! Look the Government offered a 5 million dollar reward for information leading directly to the apprehension or conviction, in any country. THEN THEY GO AND BLOW THE SOB UP! What a RIPOFF

    Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:30pm

      Well you wouldn’t want to see him suffer from advanced interrogation techniques (AIT), I mean this is so much more humane………/sarc

      A true American hero; Jose Rodriguez Jr. Get his book and read how much this man loved this country. Awesome. By the way, Nancy Pelosi lied about not knowing about the water boarding, but you just don’t see any of the news media asking her about this or getting this info out there. Hmmm

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
  • Geopatriot
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:58pm

    Our Illustrious leader is finding out where these terrorists are and for some reason decides to send them to Allah as martyrs. Which is exactly what these terrorists want! Like kickgrandma stated, How do we know that these people are being killed with these strikes? No body, no pictures, no evidence. We don’t even know that a drone was even launched! Extended CIA surveillance indeed! If OB-1 can’t have his trials in the public sector, like his clowns want; he’ll supposedly “kill” them off?? Sorry folks, I don’t buy it. I want some hard evidence!

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:48pm

    Bullets… are alot cheaper!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • barber2
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:37pm

    Remember General ” Be-tray-us ? ” The Democrats , like Obama, were in their anti-military mode and into their Alinsky Character Assassination mode. Mocked and insulted the general in comments to the New York Times with the smart-alecky Ron Paul Troll style comments about conservatives that we see here daily by our Trolls. Wonder how Obama now feels ? The military, like General Petraeus , have given our Campaigner-in-Chief his only ( much self congratulated ) accomplishment ! Thank you, American military . I respect you and am grateful for YOUR sacrifice. And I hope that the White House will soon be filled by a man and a political party which shares my feelings.

    Report Post »  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:48pm

      Ron Paul just won 22 of 25 delegates from Nevada.

      Funny thing about the comments they made about the General and now he works for them. Its almost like both sides are on the same side.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
    • jzs
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:11pm

      Here are the claims: President Obama is really a Muslim and he is weak on terrorism. That’s the right wing narrative.

      But here is the US, not satisfied with only killing Osama bin Laden, killing the bad guys almost every week, before and after. As he said he would when campaigning in 2004, he’d kill every terrorist he could identify, even if it meant violating the sovereignty of Arab countries. And that, unlike Bush, is what he’s done for the last 3 years. US intelligence is tracking the actual terrorists, and killing them week in and week out.

      But still you say he’s weak on terrorism and is, in fact a Muslim.

      Think! That‘s why you’ve forgotten all the bad guys he’s killed, something that is almost weekly headline news. Why do you forget it? Doesn’t fit with the Obama-is-a-terrorist-lover idea that’s why. The human mind is amazing, and it‘s incredible the delusions it’s capable of when infected with prejudice.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:28pm

      Thanks President Bush for setting up the apparatus that found OBL and the rest of these vermin. Sad to think that JZS and the mutineer are fighting to keep Barry pretending to be in charge. Goes to show that the RPer’s and the Socialist Obames are basically working together. And WOW, RP won 22 delegates, Glory Be, Shazam,, Gadzooks, Everybody bow down to the Newest Messiah, R Paul

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • jzs
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:18pm

      Actually 13th Imam, but disbanded the group that was hunting Bin Laden:

      http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/04/washington/04intel.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1304435611-3doLMBWn6KcxvMKvP+mkAQ

      But whatever.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:42pm

      Ron Paul wanted to use Marque and reprisal to capture Osama Bin Laden. It would have done the job faster, cheaper, and safer for American troops. Oh and we wouldnt be rebuilding a worthless nation.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
  • Brasil2520
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:33pm

    One down, a billion to go !

    Report Post » Brasil2520  
  • deimos
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:22pm

    just nuke the crap out of that area and turn all that sand into glass. We could strap some fatback on our feet and skate across the desert spreading pork drippings everywhere.

    Report Post » deimos  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:30pm

      …your post is pure comedic gold…hilarious and an excellent idea!

      Report Post » Mark0331  
    • tzion
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:42pm

      Honestly, the world’s small enough as it is without an entire region of radioactive waste. We’ll be needing more space as it is. Don’t go making it worse.

      Report Post »  
    • marine249
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:26pm

      then all we have to do is drill thur glass.

      Report Post »  
    • getourcountryback
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:24pm

      Deimos, I am totally with you. Nuke em for morbid and be done with all of it.

      Report Post »  
  • possom
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:21pm

    Now obama’s either going to take credit or apologize to his family and send them $50,000 of our tax money let’s wait and see shall we.

    Report Post » possom  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:15pm

    He sure is a Muslame killer/authorizer this Obama is. I have no problem with him authorizing the ending of as many as he can before we vote his otherwise useless can out. How many more can he fit into his busy authorizing schedule before he hits vacation again…

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
  • PeachyinGA
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:02pm

    Bravo. Now let’s try not turn it into a campaign slogan for the current administration.

    Report Post » PeachyinGA  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:01pm

    Good riddance….but, hey Barry, do not use this in a campaign speech or ad…its still about YOUR FAILURES and the misery your policies have inflicted on our Nation….but Barry being Barry, he will use it, the narcissist in him wins every time, he just can’t help his sociopathic self. This happens ‘just in time’ to lead the week off and try to deflect and change the national conversation…he is so pathetic and see through.

    Report Post » Mark0331  
  • therealconservative
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:00pm

    Ron Paul and ‘FOLLOWERS’ wil condemn this in 3… 2…1

    Report Post » therealconservative  
  • copatriots
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 7:57pm

    Good.

    How long before The Big Zero takes credit and adds this to his reelction campaign?

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:51pm

      Just more Smoke and Mirrors ! Like his hidden school records ! Mr. Autobiography . Mr. Teleprompter. Mr. Media Man. Our “composite ” president.

      Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on May 6, 2012 at 7:55pm

    Isn’t it just a tad tooooo convenient that all these enemies of AMERICA are “suddenly” being “taken out” by drones? Any one else find that bizarre? No bodies. No proof. NADA.

    More lies by the godless leaders. Where ARE all the “bad guys” they’ve done away with? In hillary’s stash, without a doubt, to be called forth when needed in the future.

    Report Post »  
    • copatriots
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:05pm

      Good observation, GRANDMA. Isn’t it funny how the lefties hate torture but are quite fine with killing the enemy.

      Report Post »  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:13pm

      @Kick….Excellent Post…Barry uses death and destruction like ‘trump cards’ for political gain…only an evil mind would do that…and he does it soooo blatantly and with such ease.

      Report Post » Mark0331  
    • JP4JOY
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:22pm

      It has turned into a deceptive propaganda campaign. If they say one of theirs was killed we’ll ship over some money or guns etc. No one to say it did or didn’t happen, maybe they are all living in one of those Chinese Ghost Cities.

      Report Post » JP4JOY  
    • chips1
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:43pm

      JP$JOY:
      Those ghost cities are for Americans. We can’t pay them back for our debt, so they will make us work it off. Hope you like rice.

      Report Post »  
    • OnceIsEnough
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:59pm

      Yeah, and when they’re finished with the terrorists, they’ll start directing those drones to more friendly targets, like Americans who don’t agree with his agenda. Slippery slope here. . .

      Report Post »  
    • MEANS2RESIST
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:20am

      agreed KICKAGRAND, all of a sudden they’re discovering a “treasure trove” lol of Bin laden plots, and are now killing old assets at thew drop of a hat. Wow how convenient…Barry must have assembled his Hollywood east team to put together a good story that his gullible numbnuts will buy. :-(

      Report Post » MEANS2RESIST  
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