Washington, May 7 (ANI): The drone strike launched by the U.S in Yemen was aimed at killing the American-born radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, but he evaded the attack, Yemeni and U.S. officials have said.
Awlaki is the head of the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). He came to prominence in 2009 due to his role as Internet-based spiritual guide aiding the radicalization of a new generation of Islamist extremists.he attack came just days after US Navy Seals killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan.
According to a Yemeni account of strike, the U.S. launched two separate attacks within 45 minutes aimed Awlaki in Shebwa province, which is considered an AQAP stronghold.
The U.S. fired three rockets at a pickup truck in which Awlaki and a Saudi national and suspected Al-Qaeda member were traveling, said local residents and the Yemeni security official, but the missiles didn't hit their target, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Two Yemeni brothers, who were known by local residents for giving shelter to Al-Qaeda militants, rushed to the scene of the attack. Awlaki switched vehicles with them, leaving the two Yemenis in the pickup truck.
A single drone then hit the pickup truck, killing the Yemenis inside. Awlaki escaped in the other vehicle along with the Saudi.
The U.S. campaign in Yemen has been led by the U.S. military's Central Command, but the CIA has been providing intelligence and other support. (ANI)
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