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US officials: US attack in Yemen kills Al-Awlaki US administration officials defend Thursday's killing of Al-Qaeda spokesman and American citizen Anwar Al-Awlaki
A US official says an American-born cleric killed in Yemen on Friday played a "significant operational role" in plotting and inspiring attacks on the United States. Hours after a drone and jet strike killed Anwar Al-Awlaki, the official outlined specific intelligence that the US says justifies the killing of an American citizen. The official says Al-Awlaki specifically directed the man accused of trying to bomb a US-bound plane last December to detonate an explosive device over US airspace to maximise casualties. The official also says Al-Awlaki has sought to use poisons, including cyanide and ricin, to attack Westerners. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss intelligence matters.