Bin Laden of the Internet: American-Born al-Qaeda Mastermind Anwar al-Awlaki Killed

Confirmed by a senior U.S. official, Yemen's Defense Ministry said Friday that Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical Islamic cleric and a high-ranking member of al-Qaeda has been killed. Al-Awlaki is a 40 year old U.S. citizen born in New Mexico, and has been linked to al-Qaeda in Yemen.

Al-Awlaki is believed to have been the mastermind behind attacks on the U.S including in 2009, the failed Underwear-Christmas Day bomber, and the mail bombs plot last October. He is also linked to the Time Square bomber and the Ft Hood shooting attacks. Al-Awlaki's sermons were attended by three of the 9/11 hijackers and also by accused Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan.

Anwar al-Awlaki was known as al-Qaeda's Internet expert, and is often described as the bin Laden of the Internet. Here is a video of al-Awlaki calling for the killing of Americans:

(Related: Read details about the mission that killed the leader)