Dirty Wars

by Jeremy Scahill

  490 monsoon season hit: Associated Press, “Taxes Hastened Somalia’s Famine, Militant Retreat,” FoxNews.com, October 1, 2011.

  491 well-organized retreat: Jeffrey Gettleman and Mohammed Ibrahim, “Shabab Concede Control of Capital to Somalia Government,” New York Times, August 6, 2011.

  491 evening of attacks: Mohamed Ahmed and Ibrahim Mohamed, “Somali Government Declares Islamist Rebellion Defeated,” Reuters, August 6, 2011.

  491 “completely vacated Mogadishu”: Gettleman and Ibrahim, “Shabab Concede Control of Capital to Somalia Government.”

  491 “We shall fight the enemy wherever they are”: “Somalia’s al-Shabab Rebels Leave Mogadishu,” BBC.co.uk, August 6, 2011.

  491 “harvest the fruits of peace”: Jeffrey Fleishman and Lutfi Sheriff Mohammed, “Somali Shabab Militants Retreat from Mogadishu,” Los Angeles Times, August 6, 2011.

  491 90 percent of the city: Abdi Sheikh Mohamed Ahmed, “Fighting Erupts in Somali Capital After Rebels Say Leaving,” Reuters, August 7, 2011.

  491 20,000 troops: “World Must Aid Somalia at Historic Juncture on Its Road to Stability—UN Envoy,” UN News Centre, August 10, 2011.

  491 “Al-Qaeda’s elements in East Africa”: Michael G. Vickers, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, “The Evolution of Al-Qaeda and Associated Movements,” prepared remarks for delivery at a National Defense University symposium, September 13–14, 2011, www.ndu.edu/inss/docuploaded/VICKERS.pdf.

  491 fifteen-ton truck: Mohamed Ibrahim and Jeffrey Gettleman, “Truck Bomb Kills Dozens in Somalia’s Capital,” New York Times, October 4, 2011.

  491 “This is the biggest attack”: Clar Ni Chonghaile, “Mogadishu Truck Bomb: al-Shabaab Insurgents Claim Responsibility,” Guardian, October 4, 2011.

  492 launched an offensive: Jeffrey Gettleman, “African Union Force Makes Strides Inside Somalia,” New York Times, November 24, 2011.

  492 “Battle of Daynile”: “The Burundian Bloodbath: Battle of Dayniile,” video, 32:28, propaganda video from al Shabab’s Al-Kata’ib Media Foundation, released November 12, 2011, posted on Vimeo by “Saadaal Wacan,” November 12, 2011, http://vimeo.com/32059413. The author relies on the video for details of Shabab’s treatment of the slain soldiers, and for the statement from Sheik Rage.

  492 “Claims of al-Shabab’s imminent collapse”: Christopher Anzalone, “Al-Shabab’s Setbacks in Somalia,” CTC Sentinel 4 (10) (October 2011).

  493 series of meetings: Ibid.

  493 “To our beloved brothers and sisters”: Jamal Osman, “Al-Qaida Targets Somalia Drought Victims with Cash Handouts,” Guardian, November 1, 2011.

  493 “Whoever thinks today”: “Speech of Mujahid Sheikh Mukhtar Abu Al-Zubeyr About the Death of Qaddafi and the Historical Battle of Dayniile,” translation and transcription of speech delivered by Mukhtar Abu al-Zubeyr (aka Ahmed Abdi Godane), posted on the Ansar al-Mujahideen forum on November 17, 2011, www.ansar1.info/show-thread.php?t=36981.

  494 “They are not fighting for a cause”: Author interview, Mohamed Ahmed Nur, June 2011.

  494 “If you use the drone”: Author interview, Ismail Mahmoud Hurre, June 2011.

  494 new drone base in Ethiopia: Craig Whitlock, “U.S. Drone Base in Ethiopia Is Operational,” Washington Post, October 27, 2011.

  55: Abdulrahman Vanishes

  495 “always thought that it is best”: Author interview, Nasser al Awlaki, January 2012. All statements and information attributed to Nasser al Awlaki come from the author’s interview, unless otherwise noted.

  495 one of the closest people to my heart: Author interview, Abir al Awlaki, September 2012.

  496 “Ibn al Shaykh”: Facebook page of Abdulrahman al Awlaki, screenshot downloaded by author.

  496 loved hip-hop music: Author interviews, Awlaki family members, August 2012. The following details about Abdulrahman come from the author’s interviews with family members.

  496 Abdulrahman woke up: Author interview, Nasser al Awlaki, January 2012. Details about Abdulrahman’s departure come from the author’s interview with Awlaki, unless otherwise noted.

  496 had turned sixteen: Author copy of Abdulrahman al Awlaki’s birth certificate.

  496 “I am sorry for leaving”: This description of Abdulrahman’s note is based on the recollections of family members.

  496 “find his father through him”: Author interview, Saleha al Awlaki, September 2012.

  56: Hellfire

  498 “The CIA has become more militarized”: Author interview, Philip Giraldi, March 2012. All information and statements attributed to Philip Giraldi are from the author’s interview.

  498 “a mini-Special Operations Command”: Author interview, State Department liaison, November 2012.

  498 “be a major player”: Author interview, Colonel W. Patrick Lang, November 2012.

  498 interrogation sessions with Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame: Daniel Klaidman, Kill or Capture: The War on Terror and the Soul of the Obama Presidency (New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012), p. 263.

  499 small house in Khashef: David S. Cloud, Jeffrey Fleishman, and Brian Bennett, “U.S. Drone Strike in Yemen Kills U.S.-Born Al Qaeda Figure Awlaki,” Los Angeles Times, October 1, 2011.

  499 kingdom’s payroll: Mark Mazzetti, Eric Schmitt, and Robert F. Worth, “C.I.A. Strike Kills U.S.-Born Militant in a Car in Yemen,” New York Times, October 1, 2011.

  499 seeing drones hovering: Sudarsan Raghavan, “Anwar al-Aulaqi, US-Born Cleric Linked to al-Qaeda, Killed in Yemen,” Washington Post, October 1, 2011.

  499 took operational control: Greg Miller, “Strike on Aulaqi Demonstrates Collaboration Between CIA and Military,” Washington Post, September 30, 2011.

  499 Operation Troy: “U.S. Officials Warn of Possible Retaliation After al Qaeda Cleric Is Killed,” CNN.com, September 30, 2011.

  499 arrived in Ataq: Interview, Nasser al Awlaki, August 2012. All information and statements attributed to Nasser al Awlaki come from the author’s interview, unless otherwise noted. The details of Abdulrahman’s movements in Shabwah are based on the author’s interview.

  499 “I called the family house”: Interview, Saleha al Awlaki, August 2012. All information and statements attributed to Abdulrahman’s grandmother, Saleha, are from the author’s interview.

  499 “no qualms”: Klaidman, Kill or Capture, p. 264.

  500 “Bring it to me and let me decide”: Ibid.

  500 “collateral requirements”: Ibid.

  500 stayed in the same house: Ibid.

  500 finished their breakfast: Sudarsan Raghavan, “Awlaqi Hit Misses Al-Qaeda Bombmaker, Yemen Says,” Washington Post, September 30, 2011.

  500 JSOC aircraft and ground forces: David Martin, “Al-Awlaki Strike Plan Included Jets, Special Ops,” CBSNews.com, September 30, 2011.

  500 “eleven missiles missed”: Shaykh Harith al Nadari, “My Story with al-Awlaki,” Inspire 9 (winter 2012), released May 2012.

  500 “Anwar Awlaki has been killed”: “Anwar al-Awlaki Killed in Yemen,” AlJazeera.com, September 30, 2011.

  500 9:55 a.m. local time: “U.S. Officials Warn of Possible Retaliation After al Qaeda Cleric Is Killed.”

  500 jambiya dagger: Author interview, Nasser al Awlaki, January 2012.

  501 “Earlier this morning”: Transcript, “Remarks by the President at the ‘Change of Office’ Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ceremony,” Fort Myer, VA, September 30, 2011.

  501 doubted the official reports: Author interviews, Awlaki family members, April 2012.

  502 “when I opened the computer”: Author interview, Sarah Khan, April 2012. All information and statements attributed to Sarah Khan are from the author’s interview.

  502 FBI had told his family: Author interview, Sarah Khan, April 2012.

  502 “It has been stated in the media”: Tim Funk, “Family of al Qaida Blogger Samir Khan ‘Appalled’ by U.S. Actions,” Charlotte Observer, October 6, 2011.

  502 “collateral damage”: Klaidman, Kill or Capture, p.
264.

  502 “It was a twofer”: David S. Cloud, Jeffrey Fleishman, and Brian Bennett (Tribune), “U.S. Drones Kill Influential Al-Qaida Operative in Yemen,” Spokesman Review, October 1, 2011.

  503 “This is an extraordinary victory”: Tim Mak, “Peter King Praises Obama for al-Awlaki Killing,” Politico, September 30, 2011.

  503 “significant and imminent threat”: Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Saxby Chambliss, “Feinstein, Chambliss Release Statement on Death of al-Awlaki,” press release from Senator Feinstein’s website, September 30, 2011, www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=08023496-6f2d-4600-af42-ec-642488cea9.

  503 “like Osama bin Laden”: Transcript, “Remarks at the Kumpris Distinguished Lecture Series,” Clinton Presidential Center, Little Rock, AR, September 30, 2011.

  503 “I’m glad they did it”: Craig Whitlock, “U.S. Airstrike That Killed American Teen in Yemen Raises Legal, Ethical Questions,” Washington Post, October 22, 2011.

  503 “I do think this was a good strike”: Transcript, State of the Union with Candy Crowley, CNN, October 2, 2011.

  503 “This individual was clearly a terrorist”: Michael Martinez, “U.S. Drone Killing of American al-Awlaki Prompts Legal, Moral Debate,” CNN.com, September 30, 2011.

  503 “Another al Qaeda Bites the Dust”: Front page of the New York Post, October 1, 2011, retrieved from Nexis.

  503 “Remote-Control Really Hits the Splat”: Chuck Bennett, “Remote-Control Really Hits the Splat,” New York Post, October 1, 2003.

  503 “One Less Terror Big”: Joseph Straw, Aliyah Shahid, and Larry McShane, “One Less Terror Big: Al Qaeda Loses Leader in Attack,” Daily News (New York), October 1, 2011.

  503 “Awlaki was born here”: Martinez, “U.S. Drone Killing of American al-Awlaki Prompts Legal, Moral Debate.”

  504 “crossed a dangerous divide”: Representative Dennis Kucinich, “Kucinich on the Extrajudicial Killing of Anwar al-Awlaki: Wrong Legally, Constitutionally and Morally,” press release from Representative Kucinich’s website, September 30, 2011, http://kucinich.house.gov/news/documents-ingle.aspx?DocumentID=262506.

  504 “After several unsuccessful efforts”: Glenn Greenwald, “The Due-Process-Free Assassination of U.S. Citizens Is Now Reality,” Salon.com, September 30, 2011.

  504 “Remember that there was great controversy”: Transcript, “With Death of Anwar al-Awlaki, Has U.S. Launched New Era of Killing U.S. Citizens Without Charge?” Democracy Now! September 30, 2011.

  504 “there isn’t a government on the planet”: Doyle McManus, “Who Reviews the U.S. ‘Kill List’?” Los Angeles Times, February 5, 2012.

  505 “There’s a process”: Brian Witte (AP), “Rep. Ruppersberger Discusses al-Awlaki Death,” FederalNewsRadio.com, September 30, 2011.

  505 “It’s important for the American people to know”: Author interview, Senator Ron Wyden, March 2012.

  57: Paying for the Sins of the Father

  507 encouraged him to get out with his cousins: Author interviews, Awlaki family members, January and August 2012. Details of Abdulrahman’s activities on the night of October 14 are from the author’s interviews, unless otherwise noted.

  507 seventeen-year-old cousin, Ahmed: Author interview, Nasser al Awlaki, January 2012.

  507 “Some of our relatives went”: Ibid.

  507 “military-aged”: Hamza Hendawi (AP), “Yemen: Abdul-Rahman Al-Awlaki, Anwar Al-Awlaki’s Son, Among Al Qaeda Militants Killed in U.S. Drone Strike,” Huffington Post, October 15, 2011.

  507 while meeting with Ibrahim al Banna: Ibid.

  507 “To kill a teenager is just unbelievable”: Peter Finn and Greg Miller, “Anwar al-Awlaki’s Family Speaks Out Against His Son’s Death in Airstrike,” Washington Post, October 17, 2011.

  507 “When he was killed by the US government”: Author interview with Nasser al Awlaki, January 2012. All information and statements attributed to Nasser al Awlaki are from the author’s interview, unless otherwise noted.

  508 “We have seen press reports”: Finn and Miller, “Anwar al-Awlaki’s Family Speaks Out.”

  508 “We watched with surprise and condemnation”: Statement released by the Awlaki family, October 2011, available at http://upstatedroneaction.org/word-press/2011/11/23/a-family-mourns/.

  508 “People flocked to our house”: Author interview, Abir al Awlaki, August 2012.

  509 “I look around the house”: Author interview, Saleha al Awlaki, September 2012.

  509 JSOC strike: Greg Miller, “Under Obama, an Emerging Global Apparatus for Drone Killing,” Washington Post, December 27, 2011.

  509 “the two kill lists don’t match”: Ibid.

  509 was, in fact, still alive: Author interview with a JSOC official, January 2013.

  509 closed briefing: Craig Whitlock, “U.S. Airstrike That Killed American Teen in Yemen Raises Legal, Ethical Questions,” Washington Post, October 22, 2011.

  509 “These lies and allegations”: Agence France-Presse, “Yemen’s Al-Qaeda Denies Death of Its Media Chief,” October 30, 2011.

  510 “I do know this”: Transcript, State of the Union with Candy Crowley, CNN, March 11, 2012.

  510 “I’m convinced”: Representative Peter King, interview by Ryan Devereaux, March 2012.

  510 “that’s the breaks”: “Romney Rep. Peter King: Presidential Kill List Totally Constitutional,” video, 1:53, Luke Rudkowski of We Are Change interviewing Representative King at an event for the October 22, 2012, presidential debate, WeAreChange.org, October 23, 2012.

  510 “you should have a far more responsible father”: “Obama Top Adviser Robert Gibbs Justifies Murder of Sixteen Year Old American Citizen,” YouTube video, 3:26, Sierra Adamson of We Are Change interviewing Robert Gibbs at an event for the October 22, 2012, presidential debate, posted by “wearechange,” October 23, 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed-ded&v=7MwB2znBZ1g.

  510 “It is up to the US government to be sure”: Author interview, Nasser al Awlaki, January 2012.

  511 “an outrageous mistake”: Karen DeYoung, “A CIA Veteran Transforms U.S. Counterterrorism Policy,” Washington Post, October 24, 2012.

  Epilogue

  513 “A decade of war”: Transcript, “Inaugural Address by President Barack Obama,” January 21, 2013.

  513 US drone strike: Reuters, “U.S. Drone Strike Kills Four in Yemen: Sources,” January 21, 2013.

  513 more people had been killed: According to available estimates, in 2012 drone strikes killed at least 246 people in Pakistan, and at least 185 people in Yemen. In Somalia, there were only two confirmed strikes—although operations in Somalia are especially likely to go underreported—killing at least a dozen people. See Chris Woods, Jack Serle, and Alice K. Ross, “Emerging from the Shadows: US Covert Drone Strikes in 2012,” Bureau of Investigative Journalism, January 3, 2013. As of November 2012, there were 166 people in detention at Guantánamo Bay; see Associated Press, “Report Shows U.S. Jails Could House Guantanamo Detainees,” CBSNews.com, November 2012.

  513 systematizing the kill list: Greg Miller, Ellen Nakashima, and Karen DeYoung, “CIA Drone Strikes Will Get Pass in Counterterrorism ‘Playbook,’ Officials Say,” Washington Post, January 19, 2013.

  513 one hundred countries: Admiral William McRaven, Commander, US Special Operations Command, “Posture Statement,” prepared for the Senate Armed Services Committee, March 6, 2012.

  513 nomination was scuttled: Pamela Hess (AP), “Potential CIA Chief Cites Critics in Ending Bid,” Seattle Times, November 26, 2008.

  514 “playbook”: Miller, Nakashima, and DeYoung, “CIA Drone Strikes Will Get Pass.”

  514 “now so routine”: Greg Miller, “Plan for Hunting Terrorists Signals U.S. Intends to Keep Adding Names to Kill Lists,” Washington Post, October 23, 2012. The following details of Brennan’s role and the “Disposition Matrix” are from the Washington Post article.

  514 “white paper”: Department of Justice white paper, “Lawfulness of a Lethal Op
eration Directed Against a U.S. Citizen Who Is a Senior Operational Leader of Al-Qa’ida or An Associated Force,” obtained by NBC News, released February 4, 2013, http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/sections/news/020413_DOJ_White_Paper.pdf.

  514 “chilling document”: Michael Isikoff, “Exclusive: Justice Department Memo Reveals Legal Case for Drone Strikes on Americans,” NBCNews.com, February 4, 2013.

  515 “This power is going to be available”: Transcript, “Kill List Exposed: Leaked Obama Memo Shows Assassination of U.S. Citizens ‘Has No Geographic Limit,’” Democracy Now!, February 5, 2013.

  515 “I don’t oppose all wars”: Barack Obama, “Transcript: Obama’s Speech Against the Iraq War,” October 2, 2002, transcript available via NPR.org, www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99591469.

  515 “Ask Osama bin Laden”: Jim Kuhnhenn (AP), “Obama Answers Appeasement Charge: ‘Ask Bin Laden,’” AP Online, December 8, 2011.

  515 2012 poll: Scott Wilson and Jon Cohen, “Poll Finds Broad Support for Obama’s Counterterrorism Policies,” WashingtonPost.com, February 8, 2012.

  516 “I want to make sure that people understand”: “Obama Addresses Drone Strikes During ‘Hangout,’” YouTube video, 4:04, Obama response to question during Google+ video forum on January 30, 2012, posted by “TheDailyConversation,” January 30, 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rPMPMqOjKY.

  516 “spinning the number of civilian casualties”: Michael J. Boyle, “The Costs and Consequences of Drone Warfare,” International Affairs 89 (1) (2013).

  517 “It’s very important for the president”: Transcript, “Debate Night in America,” CNN, October 22, 2012.

  517 “represents a betrayal”: Michael Boyle, “Obama’s Drone Wars and the Normalisation of Extrajudicial Murder,” op-ed, Guardian.co.uk, June 11, 2012.