U.S. State Department designates al-Qaeda operative Othman Al-Ghamdi
June 17th, 2011 - 10:45 am ICT by BNO NewsWASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday designated Othman al-Ghamdi, an operative with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), as a terrorist.
The designation was made under Executive Order 13224 which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. AQAP was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in January 2010.
Othman al-Ghamdi is believed to be a member of the Yemen-based AQAP leadership. In May 2010, he appeared in a video in which he was identified publicly as AQAP’s operational commander.
In the same video he appears alongside AQAP’s military commander Qasim al-Rimi and AQAP operative Fahd al-Quso, who is wanted for his role in the October 12, 2000, USS Cole bombing in which 17 U.S. sailors were killed and 39 were injured.
According to the U.S. State Department, al-Ghamdi has been involved in raising funds for AQAP’s operations and activities in Yemen. He has also worked with other fellow members to plan and stockpile weapons for future terrorist attacks.
Also on Thursday, the United Nations 1267 Committee listed al-Ghamdi on its Consolidated List, which will require all UN Member States to implement an assets freeze, a travel ban, and an arms embargo against him.
AQAP is based primarily in the tribal areas outside of the capital city Sanaa, which remain outside the control of the Yemeni government. The terrorist organization has orchestrated high-profile attacks since 2009.
Most notably, AQAP sent Nigerian-born Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who attempted to detonate an explosive device aboard a Northwest Airlines flight on December 25, 2009. This was the first attempted U.S. homeland attack by an al-Qaeda affiliate since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
- Al Qaeda leaders killed in Yemen air strike - May 07, 2012
- Al-Qaeda suspect wanted for USS Cole attack is alive in Yemen - Dec 16, 2010
- Newspaper: Al-Qaeda suspect wanted for USS Cole attack is alive in Yemen - Dec 16, 2010
- Canada lists Yemen-based al-Qaeda group as terrorist organization - Dec 24, 2010
- U.S. designates al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula as a Foreign Terrorist Organization - Jan 20, 2010
- After Osama's elimination, FBI updates its most wanted list - May 02, 2011
- Terror plot to bomb US-bound plane foiled (Lead) - May 08, 2012
- Intending underpant bomber was British double agent - May 11, 2012
- CIA warns al-Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen "urgent threat to U.S. security" - Aug 25, 2010
- Al-Qaeda's online magazine unexpectedly returns - May 04, 2012
- Al-Qaeda affiliates will still pose threats: US experts - May 02, 2011
- Al-Qaeda making major gains amid political unrest in Yemen: FM Dr Abu Bakr al-Qirbi - Apr 06, 2011
- Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula claims 'cargo bombs' responsibility - Nov 06, 2010
- Seven Al Qaeda men killed in Yemen - Aug 23, 2010
- Yemeni warplanes bomb Al-Qaeda bases, 18 killed - Mar 19, 2012
Tags: acts of terrorism, al ghamdi, al qaeda in the arabian peninsula, aqap, arms embargo, bno, executive order 13224, foreign terrorist organization, hillary clinton, northwest airlines, northwest airlines flight, operational commander, othman, qaeda operative, rimi, september 11 2001, september 11 2001 terrorist attacks, travel ban, uss cole bombing, yemeni government