May 24th, 2010
07:26 PM ET

U.S. official: Video shows cleric still significant figure

A U.S. official said Monday the latest video from fugitive cleric Anwar al-Awlaki "is just one more indication that he is an avowed terrorist who espouses murder and the killing of innocents."

"He continues to propagandize and also be a significant operational figure within AQAP [al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula]," the official said. "He continues to plot attacks against the U.S. and our allies and he is not bashful about saying that himself."

The official says there was already a high-level of concern about al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula before the video from the American-born cleric, who is believed to be hiding in Yemen.

"We remain very focused on trying to thwart any AQAP plots that may be afoot," the official said.

The official said there is no credible information tied to a specific plot, "but we are taking the threat very, very, seriously."

The video, released over the weekend, warned of new attacks on Americans at home and abroad.

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Filed under: Terrorism
soundoff (10 Responses)
  1. ruffnutt

    i miss when the russians were the bad guys... WOLVERINES!!!

    May 24, 2010 at 9:02 pm | Report abuse |
    • ybs

      Like the Pol Pot, Al Qaeda are very nice people - once they are dead!

      July 14, 2010 at 8:55 am | Report abuse |
  2. diaryofatiredblackman

    ruffnut, I second that.
    http://diaryofatiredblackman.wordpress.com/

    May 24, 2010 at 9:04 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Fuad Rajeh

    Is Yemen an ally in the war on terrorism? Is she doing great in rooting out terrorists, just under its abilities? if she is .....the U.S. need not be concerned about this fugitive or others...just believe that the Yemeni people like to uproot Al-Qaeda as do the U.S.

    May 25, 2010 at 2:04 am | Report abuse |
  4. UberDork

    Isnt this the guy who got caught with a couple of ho- okers outside his mosque in San Diego....... said they were a test from god and he failed..... Pathetic hypocrite with a towel wrapped way to tightly around his head.
    "Who let the Drones out? Woof Woof"

    May 25, 2010 at 4:07 am | Report abuse |
    • Meg

      Actually, he said the accusations were bogus, and turns out police said records don't exist when reporters from fox5 checked

      May 26, 2010 at 10:03 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Ed

    Anwar al-Awlaki is a hypocrit, coward and a fraud

    May 26, 2010 at 8:50 am | Report abuse |
  6. JACKSON

    FIND HIM, HANG HIM!

    May 26, 2010 at 12:36 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Atom Bomb

    Corrupt Americans killed more Muslims and they used atomic bomb to kill innocent people. Now its their turn to be eliminated from the earth. Pakistan should use ATOM BOMBS to destroy Americans by bombing all big cities of USA. Inshallah! It will happen soon!

    May 29, 2010 at 4:09 am | Report abuse |
    • ybs

      It will happen soon? Gibberish!

      July 14, 2010 at 2:57 am | Report abuse |
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