TerrorismIn death al Awlaki lives on
In a recent security bulletin, DHS is warning local officials that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is still actively seeking to recruit Americans, encouraging them to commit acts of terrorism; in a posthumous video released in December, the radical American-born imam Anwar al Awlaki continues to spread his ideologies, stating “jihad against America is binding”
Al Awlaki preaches in pre-death video // Source: liquida.it
In a recent security bulletin, DHS is warning local officials that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is still actively seeking to recruit Americans, encouraging them to commit acts of terrorism.
In a posthumous video released in December, the radical American-born imam Anwar al Awlaki, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike last September, continues to spread his ideologies, stating “jihad against America is binding.”
In the security bulletin, security officials warn that the new video “encourages Western-based Muslims to commit violence,” and the “video could inspire violent extremists in the West to conduct attacks.” Officials were careful to note that, “We have no indication that the timing of the video’s release or any content … is related to specific, ongoing plotting against the homeland,” but law enforcement officials should “remain vigilant for signs of terrorist plotting and to report suspicious activities.”
In response to the video, Representative Peter King (R – New York), the chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, said, “Al-Awlaki — even though he is dead — his impact is going to continue probably more than anyone in the Islamic terrorist world.”
“He was able to connect with Americans and his tapes, his words, his impact is going to live on. We have to keep that in mind. Al-Awlaki is dead but unfortunately his hate lives on,” King added.
The security bulletin comes in the wake of two foiled attacks by U.S. citizens.
Last Saturday, authorities arrested Sami Osmakac, a naturalized U.S. citizen who is accused of plotting to bomb nightclubs in Florida and a sheriff’s office.
Meanwhile, Craig Baxam, a Maryland native, made his first appearance on court last Monday. Baxam stands accused of travelling to Somalia to join al Shabaab in Somalia.
