President Obama made the statement in an event held Friday to bid farewell to Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, hours after the death of US-born Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaqi, was killed in a successful air strike in Jawf province, northern Yemen.
Obama stressed his administration's keenness to continue such cooperation with Yemen.
"The death of al-Awlaqi is a major blow to al-Qaeda's most active operational affiliate," US President said, considering al-Awlaqi's death as a tribute to the US intelligence community and to the efforts of Yemen and its security forces, who have worked closely with the USA over the course of several years.
"The death of al-Awlaqi marks another significant milestone in the broader effort to defeat Al-Qaeda and its affiliates," Obama said.
Al-Awlaqi was killed due to the Yemeni government and people's decision to be partner with the international community in joint effort and goal, he said.
"Al-Awlaqi was the leader of external operations for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. In that role, he took the lead in planning and directing efforts to murder innocent Americans." Obama said.
He pointed that al-Awlaqi had directed the failed attempt to blow up an airplane on Christmas Day in 2009 and also directed the failed attempt to blow up US cargo planes in 2010.
Source: Saba News Agency
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