Atiyah Abd al-Rahman, Al Qaeda #2 Killed in Pakistan

[Stable Hand]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/...20098271.shtml

(CBS/AP)

WASHINGTON — Al Qaeda's second-in-command, Atiyah Abd al-Rahman, has been killed in Pakistan, delivering another big blow to a terrorist group that the U.S. believes to be on the verge of defeat, a senior Obama administration official said Saturday.

The Libyan national who was the network's former operational leader rose to al Qaeda's No. 2 spot after the U.S. killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden during a raid on his Pakistan compound in May.

Lasted 4 months, so sad.

Next?

[Ghost of Abu Risaas]

Allahu akbar!

[Ghost of Abu Risaas]

Uh oh, they just released an audio of him giving some kind of Ramadan speech.

One thing of note: while listening to it I can't help but think that it's pretty low quality. The introductory nasheed is voiced over. Not the usual "Bismallah" nasheed introduction.

Thrown together last minute?

[Aaron]

Uh oh, they just released an audio of him giving some kind of Ramadan speech.

One thing of note: while listening to it I can't help but think that it's pretty low quality. The introductory nasheed is voiced over. Not the usual "Bismallah" nasheed introduction.

Thrown together last minute?

One theory is that it was already in the can.

[Ghost of Abu Risaas]

Seems likely, but it also seems like they never finished producing it. Like a rough cut.

[Aaron]

Seems likely, but it also seems like they never finished producing it. Like a rough cut.

Rule 1 of guerrilla warfare is to not let the enemy know how badly you've been hit. If he really is dead, the effect on aQ Core is devastating. The smart money already takes that as a given - the action is now at the periphery. The core is rotten.