Dirty Wars

by Jeremy Scahill

  362 “he’s literally middle management”: Author interview, Joshua Foust, January 2011. All quotations and information attributed to Foust come from the author’s interview, unless otherwise noted.

  363 “I think it’s an exaggeration”: Author interview, Dr. Emile Nakhleh, January 2010. All quotations and information attributed to Nakhleh come from the author’s interview, unless otherwise noted.

  363 “Anwar al Awlaki was not a leader”: Author interview, Abdul Razzaq al Jamal, January 2012.

  363 “He never said”: Author interview, Nasser al Awlaki, January 2012. All quotations and information attributed to Nasser come from the author’s interview, unless otherwise noted.

  363 “always been looked at as a preacher”: Charles Fromm, “Yemen Refuses to Hunt al-Awlaki for US,” Inter Press Service, April 13, 2010. http://ipsnorthamerica.net/news.php?idnews=2991.

  38: The CIA’s Dating Service

  364 messages on websites: Paul Cruickshank, Tim Lister, and Nic Robertson, “The Danish Agent, the Croatian Blonde and the Plot to Get al-Awlaki,” CNN.com, October 24, 2012.

  364 track star in high school: Darko Mar inkovi /VLM, Darko Pavi i, Renata Rašovi / VLM, “Al-Qa’idina teroristica Amina bila je vrsna trka ica na sto metara” [Al Qaeda terrorist Amina was a great 100-meter track star], Vecernji List (vecernji.hr), October 25, 2012.

  364 “I was wondering will he search for second wife”: “The Terrorist’s Bride,” Jyllands-Posten documentary, 12:11, December 16, 2012.

  364 “overjoyed”: Ibid.

  364 suitcase outfitted with a tracking device: Ibid.

  364 “If you visit her”: Cruickshank, Lister, and Robertson, “The Danish Agent, the Croatian Blonde and the Plot to Get al-Awlaki.”

  365 international bus station: Ibid.

  365 multiple receipts: “The Terrorist’s Bride,” Jyllands-Posten documentary.

  365 “done specifically for Sister Aminah”: Ibid.

  365 “nervous”: Ibid.

  365 “it’s me without the scarf”: Cruickshank, Lister, and Robertson, “The Danish Agent, the Croatian Blonde and the Plot to Get al-Awlaki.”

  365 “Warm weather clothing”: “The Terrorist’s Bride,” Jyllands-Posten documentary.

  365 “the Hook,” “the sister”: Ibid.

  365 “We sat there, had a barbecue”: Ibid.

  365 “Congratulations brother”: Cruickshank, Lister, and Robertson, “The Danish Agent, the Croatian Blonde and the Plot to Get al-Awlaki.”

  366 handcuffed to the briefcase: “The Terrorist’s Bride,” Jyllands-Posten documentary.

  366 “Try 007”: Cruickshank, Lister, and Robertson, “The Danish Agent, the Croatian Blonde and the Plot to Get al-Awlaki.”

  366 Multiple sources confirmed: “The Terrorist’s Bride,” Jyllands-Posten documentary.

  366 could not bring her suitcase: Ibid.

  366 sent Storm a message: Cruickshank, Lister, and Robertson, “The Danish Agent, the Croatian Blonde and the Plot to Get al-Awlaki.”

  39: “The Auction of the Assassin”

  367 “I don’t support it—period”: Author interview, Representative Dennis Kucinich, February 2010. All quotations and information attributed to Representative Kucinich come from the author’s interview.

  368 introduced a bill: To Prohibit the Extrajudicial Killing of United States Citizens, and for Other Purposes, H.R. 6010, 111th Cong. (July 30, 2010).

  368 “almost a dozen”: Dina Temple-Raston, “U.S. Turns Up Heat on Internet Imam Awlaki,” Morning Edition, NPR, July 29, 2010.

  368 “a very important opportunity”: Author interview, Pardiss Kebriaei, March 2012. All quotations and information attributed to Kebriaei come from the author’s interview.

  369 legal partners in Yemen: “Obama Administration Claims Unchecked Authority to Kill Americans Outside Combat Zones; Federal Court Hears Arguments Today in ACLU and CCR Case Challenging Administration’s Claimed Authority to Assassinate Americans It Designates Threats,” Center for Constitutional Rights and American Civil Liberties Union, November 8, 2010.

  369 “I will do my best”: Paula Newton, “CNN Exclusive: Al-Awlaki’s Father Says Son Is ‘Not Osama bin Laden,’” CNN.com, January 11, 2010.

  369 “involved himself in every aspect”: “Treasury Designates Anwar al-Awlaki Key Leader of AQAP,” U.S. Treasury Department, July 16, 2010.

  369 sued the Treasury Department: ACLU and CCR v. Geithner, 1:10-cv-013 (DDC August 3, 2010).

  369 allowing the lawyers: “CCR and ACLU Receive License from OFAC to Pursue Challenge to Targeted Killing,” American Civil Liberties Union, August 4, 2010.

  369 “The summary use of force”: Nasser Al-Aulaqi v. Barack Obama, Robert Gates, Leon Panetta (“Al-Aulaqi v. Obama et al.”), 1:10-cv-01469-JDB (DDC August 30, 2010).

  370 “puts directly at issue”: Al-Aulaqi v. Obama et al., 1:10-cv-01469-JDB (DDC September 25, 2010).

  370 “to protect intelligence sources”: Al-Aulaqi v. Obama, 1:10-cv-01469-JDB, “Declaration and Formal Claim of State Secrets Privilege and Statutory Privileges by Leon E. Panetta, Director, Central Intelligence Agency” (DDC September 25, 2010).

  370 “exceptionally grave harm”: Al-Aulaqi v. Obama, Case 1:10-cv-01469-JDB, “Public Declaration and Assertion of Military and State Secrets Privilege by Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense” (DDC September 25, 2010).

  370 “The government’s sweeping invocation”: Al-Aulaqi Versus Obama, Case 1:10-cv-01469-JDB, “Reply Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff’s Motion for a Preliminary Injunction and in Opposition to Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss by Jameel Jaffer, Ben Wizner, Jonathan M. Manes, Pardiss Kebriaei, Maria C. LaHood, William Quigley, and Arthur B. Spitzer (DDC October 9, 2010).

  371 its own legal framework: Charlie Savage, “Secret U.S. Memo Made Legal Case to Kill a Citizen,” New York Times, October 8, 2011.

  371 “loved the idea”: Daniel Klaidman, Kill or Capture: The War on Terror and the Soul of the Obama Presidency (New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012), pp. 214–215.

  372 “set his own legal standard”: Ibid., p. 216.

  372 “US targeting practices”: Speech, Harold Hongju Koh, Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law, Washington, DC, March 25, 2010, www.state.gov/s/l/releases/remarks/139119.htm.

  373 “To the Muslims in America”: Anwar al Awlaki, “Message from Sheikh Anwar al-Awlaki to the American People,” YouTube video, 14:59, from a videotape released by Al-Malahem Media in March 2010, posted by “0109vip,” March 3, 2012.

  374 “To go from that individual”: Ahmed al-Haj and Brian Murphy (AP), “Al-Awlaki: From Voice for Jihad to al Qaeda Figure,” Washington Times, September 30, 2011.

  40: “Martyrdom Is Why We Came Here, My Brother”

  375 “He was heartbroken”: Abu Yazeed, “Samir Khan: The Face of Joy,” Inspire 9 (winter 2012), released May 2012. All quotations and information attributed to Abu Yazeed are from this essay.

  375 “for what seemed like years”: Samir Khan, “I Am Proud to Be a Traitor to America,” Inspire 2 (fall 2010), released October 2010. All quotations and information attributed to Samir Khan are from this essay.

  376 “They came to know”: Author interview, Sarah Khan, April 2012. All quotations and information attributed to Sarah Khan are from the author’s interview.

  377 studied Internet technology: Author interview, Sarah Khan, April 2012.

  377 “connecting and facilitating disparate groups”: Author interview, Aaron Zelin, August 2012.

  378 MI-6: Richard Norton-Taylor, “British Intelligence Used Cupcake Recipes to Ruin al-Qaida Website,” Guardian, June 2, 2011.

  378 “‘And inspire the believers to fight’”: “Letter from the Editor,” Inspire 1 (summer 2010), released July 2010.

  379 commissioned a dozen cartoons: Stephen Castle, “Mohamed Cartoons Provoke Bomb Threats Against Danish Newspaper,” Independent (UK), February 1, 2006.

  379 “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day”: “‘Draw
Muhammad’ Cartoonist Goes into Hiding at FBI’s Insistence After Assassination Threat,” FoxNews.com, September 16, 2010.

  379 “I would like to express my thanks”: Anwar al Awlaki, “May Our Souls Be Sacrificed for You!” Inspire 1 (summer 2010), released July 2010.

  380 changed her name and moved: Mark D. Fefer, “On the Advice of the FBI, Cartoonist Molly Norris Disappears from View,” Seattle Weekly, September 15, 2010.

  380 “The more the US talked about Inspire”: Author interview, Gregory Johnsen, August 2012.

  381 ordered his deputy: Osama bin Laden, letter to Shaykh Mahmud (Attiya Abd al-Rahman), SOCOM-2012-0000003-HT 27, August 27, 2010, released by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, May 3, 2012.

  41: The Persecution of Abdulelah Haider Shaye

  382 “He was focusing”: Author interview, Kamal Sharaf, January 2012. All quotations and information attributed to Kamal Sharaf come from the author’s interview.

  382 “Abdulelah was threatened many times”: Author interview, Abdulrahman Barman, January 2012. All quotations and information attributed to Abdulrahman Barman come from the author’s interview.

  383 “a very smart journalist”: Interview with Mohamed Abdel Dayem, “Jeremy Scahill: Why Is President Obama Keeping Yemeni Journalist Abdulelah Haider Shaye in Prison?” Democracy Now!, March 15, 2012. All quotations and information attributed to Mohamed Abdel Dayem come from his appearance on the show.

  383 using his paychecks: Author interview, US media source, March 2012.

  383 “I was persuaded”: Dexter Filkins, “After the Uprising: Can Protesters Find a Path Between Dictatorship and Anarchy?” New Yorker, April 11, 2011.

  384 put in a cell together: Author interview, Kamal Sharaf, January 2012.

  384 thirty-four days: Iona Craig, “Yemen: Press Freedom a Distant Hope,” Index on Censorship, October 27, 2010.

  384 asked for more time: Nasser Arrabyee, “Yemeni Journalist Sentenced to Five Years for Terror Links,” Nasser Arrabyee (blog), January 18, 2011, narrabyee-e.blogspot.ca.

  385 “paced slowly around the white cell”: Craig, “Yemen: Press Freedom a Distant Hope.”

  385 “When they hid murderers”: “Yemeni Journalist Accused of Being ‘Media Man’ for Al-Qaeda,” YouTube video, 0:30, from second court appearance, October 26, 2010, posted by “ioniocraig,” October 26, 2010, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J6RgbEx6Zc.

  42: The President Can Write His Own Rules

  386 “Progress against violent extremists”: Transcript, “Remarks with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Abdullah al-Qirbi,” London, UK, January 27, 2010.

  386 “greatly expanded”: Aaron W. Jost, “A Comprehensive Approach to Yemen,” The White House Blog, September 24, 2010, www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/24. All statements and information attributed to Jost come from the post.

  386 “adverse impact on the poor”: “Joint Statement from the Ministerial Meeting of the Friends of Yemen,” New York, September 24, 2010, www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=PressS&id=22916622.

  387 “Saleh doesn’t really want us”: Author interview, Colonel W. Patrick Lang, February 2011.

  387 “Security forces have taught the terrorists”: Fawaz al Haidari, “Yemen Army ‘Regains Control’ of Southern Town,” Agence France-Presse, August 25, 2010.

  387 “dearth of solid intelligence”: Scott Shane, Mark Mazzetti, and Robert F. Worth, “Secret Assault on Terrorism Widens on Two Continents,” New York Times, August 14, 2010.

  387 “All Land Rovers”: Greg Miller, Greg Jaffe, and Karen DeYoung, “U.S. Drones on Hunt in Yemen,” Washington Post, November 7, 2010.

  388 “For the first time”: Greg Miller, “CIA Sees Increased Threat in Yemen,” Washington Post, August 25, 2010.

  388 “mount a more intense”: Adam Entous and Siobhan Gorman, “U.S. Weighs Expanded Strikes in Yemen,” Wall Street Journal, August 25, 2010.

  388 “on the upswing”: Miller, “CIA Sees Increased Threat in Yemen.”

  388 “The Agency has taken advantage”: Gareth Porter, “Behind Drone Issue, a Struggle to Control Covert Ops,” Inter Press Service, November 10, 2010.

  388 “elite U.S. hunter-killer teams”: Julian E. Barnes and Adam Entous, “Yemen Covert Role Pushed; Foiled Bomb Plot Heightens Talk of Putting Elite U.S. Squads in CIA Hands,” Wall Street Journal, November 1, 2010.

  388 another offensive against AQAP: Laura Kasinof, “Yemen Goes on Offensive Against al Qaeda,” Christian Science Monitor, September 22, 2010.

  389 “discussed cooperation”: “Statement by National Security Council Spokesman Mike Hammer on the Visit of Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security John Brennan to Yemen,” The White House, September 20, 2010, www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/20/statement-national-security-council-spokesman-mike-hammer-visit-assistan.

  389 late-night phone call: Mark Mazzetti and Robert F. Worth, “U.S. Sees Complexity of Bombs as Link to al Qaeda,” New York Times, October 30, 2010.

  389 “potential terrorist threat”: David Jackson, “Obama Monitoring Possible Terrorist Plot, Spokesman Says,” USA Today, October 29, 2010.

  389 tracking numbers: Eric Schmitt and Scott Shane, “Saudis Warned U.S. of Attack Before Parcel Bomb Plot,” New York Times, November 5, 2010.

  389 before arriving at 2:13 a.m.: Vikram Dodd, Richard Norton-Taylor, and Paul Harris, “Cargo Plane Bomb Found in Britain Was Primed to Blow Up over US,” Guardian, November 20, 2010.

  389 kept for further tests: Matt Apuzzo, Eileen Sullivan, and David Rising (AP), “Race to Find Mail Bombs Zigzagged as Cargo Dodged Screens,” Denver Post, November 7, 2010.

  389 Defense Science and Technology Laboratory: Duncan Gardham, “Al-Qaeda Plane Bomb Seventeen Minutes from Going Off,” Telegraph, November 4, 2010.

  390 “activation could have occurred”: Dodd, Norton-Taylor, and Harris, “Cargo Plane Bomb Found in Britain Was Primed to Blow Up over US.”

  390 “one of the most sophisticated”: Ibid.

  390 discovered in Dubai: Scott Shane and Robert F. Worth, “Earlier Flight May Have Been Dry Run for Plotters,” New York Times, November 1, 2010.

  390 long-dead historical figures: Ron Grossman and Christi Parsons, “Bomb Plot Becomes Historic Jigsaw Puzzle,” Chicago Tribune, November 4, 2010.

  390 emergency landing: Michael Scotto, “JFK-Bound Jet Escorted as Part of Increased Security Following ‘Credible’ Terror Threat,” NY1.com, October 29, 2010.

  390 planes being swept: “Terror Probe Leads to Searches in NY, NJ,” NewYork. CBSlocal.com, October 29, 2010.

  390 “credible terrorist threat”: Jesse Lee, “President Obama: ‘A Credible Terrorist Threat Against Our Country, and the Actions That We’re Taking,” The White House Blog, October 29, 2010.

  390 “We have succeeded”: “Operation Hemorrhage,” Inspire (November 2010), Special Issue, released November 2010.

  391 dismissed suggestions: “Dubai Officials Dismiss Claim of Blast on Plane,” CNN.com, November 6, 2010.

  391 “maximum losses to the American economy”: Head of Foreign Operations, “The Objectives of Operation Hemorrhage,” Inspire (November 2010), Special Issue, released November 2010.

  391 indicted Awlaki in absentia: “Yemen Orders Arrest of al-Awlaki,” AlJazeera.com, November 6, 2010.

  391 “How is it that judicial approval is required”: Al-Aulaqi v. Obama, 1:10-cv-01469-JDB, “Memorandum Opinion by Judge John D. Bates” (DDC December 7, 2010).

  392 If the court’s ruling is correct”: Charlie Savage, “Suit over Targeted Killings Is Thrown Out,” New York Times, December 7, 2010.

  43: Al Qaeda’s “Foothold in Somalia Has Probably Been Facilitated”

  393 “agreement for unification”: Text of agreement, “Somali Website Publishes Islamists’ Agreement to Unite with al-Qaidah,” Biyokulule Online, February 2, 2010, www.biyokulule.com/view_content.php?arti-cleid=2511.

  393 “United States has launch
ed air strikes”: Committee on Foreign Relations, “Al Qaeda in Yemen and Somalia: A Ticking Time Bomb,” S. Prt. 111-40, p. 16 (2010).

  394 reaching an agreement: “Somalia: Islamist MP Resigns After ‘Cheating’ Ethiopia Jail,” Garowe Online, April 4, 2009.

  394 As he tells it: Author interview, Sheikh Ahmed “Madobe” Mohammed Islam, June 2011. All statements and information attributed to Madobe come from the author’s interview, unless otherwise noted.

  394 Madobe announced: Radio Shabelle, “Hizbul Islam Declare War on Al-Shabab in Southern Somalia,” Mareeg, February 28, 2010, www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=15312&tirsan=3. Fighting between Madobe’s forces and al Shabab had been going on for weeks at this point.

  394 “most important source of income”: Matt Bryden, Jörg Roofthooft, Ghassan Schbley, Babatunde Taiwo, “Report of the Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1916 (2010),” UN Security Council, July 18, 2011, p. 28.

  394 “training and support”: Paul Cruickshank, “Kenya’s High Stakes Shabaab Offensive,” Security Clearance (blog), CNN.com, October 24, 2011, http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/24/kenya’s-high-stakes-shabaab-offensive/.

  395 Ethiopian Village restaurant: Josh Kron, “Bombers Kill More Than Fifty in Attacks in Uganda Capital,” New York Times, July 11, 2010.

  395 halftime: Xan Rice, “Uganda Bomb Blasts Kill at Least Seventy-Four,” Guardian, July 12, 2010.

  395 ninetieth minute: “Somali Militants Claim Responsibility for Uganda Bombings,” CNN.com, July 12, 2010.

  395 Kyadondo Rugby Club: Vision reporter, “Over Forty Die in Kampala Bomb Blasts,” New Vision (Kampala), July 12, 2010.

  395 severed head: Haggae Matsiko, “Uganda: An Unexploded Suicide Vest Found in Makindye, Kampala,” Independent (Kampala), July 13, 2010.

  395 “very happy”: “‘Somali Link’ as Seventy-four World Cup Fans Die in Uganda Blasts,” BBC.co.uk, July 12, 2010.

  395 “We will carry out attacks”: Xan Rice, “Somali Militants Say They Carried Out Deadly Uganda World Cup Blasts,” Guardian, July 12, 2010.