An American-born cleric with links to al-Qaeda has warned the American people that President Barack Obama will mire US forces in Yemen just as in Afghanistan, in a message appearing on militant websites.
The 13-minute audio message, in English, comes days after the US Treasury department put Anwar al-Awlaki on its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
"If George W. Bush is remembered as being the president who got America stuck in Afghanistan and Iraq, it's looking like Obama wants to be remembered as the president who got America stuck in Yemen,"Born in New Mexico, al-Awlaki, 39, is not perceived by American officials as a major tactical terror leader on par with al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. But his role as an inspirational exhorter for al-Qaeda's cause and his growing involvement in plots aimed at the US has made him a prime target in the effort to counter the militant movement. Six months ago the US government put al-Awlaki on a secret list of targets to be captured or killed, according to US officials. In another message released separately, al-Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri vowed that the American troops would leave both Afghanistan and Iraq in "defeat." US officials worry al-Qaida's offshoot in Yemen has found refuge in the country's remote, lawless areas and could be plotting attacks against American and other Western targets. Critics, meanwhile, have warned that imposing a deadline for the withdrawal of US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq could provide the terror network a propaganda tool. Al-Zawahri praised Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked groups, saying they are "moving from one victory to another" in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Taliban will "enter Kabul in triumph and Obama will leave it in fear," he said in the hour-long message – his first since May. "Oh Obama, whether you admit it or not, Muslims have defeated you in Afghanistan and in Iraq and you will be defeated in Palestine, Somalia and the Arab Maghreb," he said, referring to Islamic countries in northern Africa. "You will not only be defeated militarily and economically but most important you will be defeated morally." Al-Awlaki, meanwhile, mocked US efforts to combat al-Qaeda in Yemen, saying its air strikes were only sending recruits streaming to the terror group and had "accomplished for them (al-Qaeda) the work of years." He also dismissed the American effort to back the Yemeni government with aid and training, and said the Obama administration is being swindled. The White House declined to comment on al-Awlaki's message.
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