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Adam Gadahn Rumored Killed
The Long War Journal ^ | 2/9/2008 | Left Coast Republican

Posted on 02/10/2008 3:16:03 AM PST by Left Coast Republican

By Bill RoggioFebruary 8, 2008 6:49 PM Gadhan.jpg

Adam Gadahn.

One day after a Pakistani newspaper reported al Qaeda propagandist Adam Gadahn may have been killed in the same airstrike that killed al Qaeda leader Abu Laith al Libi, the rumor remains unconfirmed.

Speculation over Gadahn's presence at the al Qaeda safe house in North Waziristan began on Jan. 29, the day of the airstrike. An unnamed US official denied Gadahn was killed in the strike. But on Feb. 7, The News reported, based on statements from Western sources, that Gadahn was killed in the airstrike.

Gadahn was believed to be en route to the village of Khushali Tari Khel to attend an "an important meeting with other senior al-Qaeda commanders for planning the so-called spring offensive against US and NATO troops in Afghanistan," The News reported. Two other al Qaeda leaders, Abu Obeida Tawari al Obeid, a Saudi; and Abu Adel al Kuwaiti, were also reported killed in the North Waziristan airstrike.

If Gadahn was indeed killed, al Qaeda has yet to acknowledge it. Al Qaeda has been forthcoming about the death of its leaders in the past, and has taken the opportunity to use their deaths as propaganda and recruiting tools. Less than 48 hours after al Libi was killed, al Qaeda posted an announcement at various jihadi forums.

Several days later, Mustafa Abu Yazid, al Qaeda's commander in Afghanistan, released a videotape via As Sahab, al Qaeda's media arm. Yazid extolled al Libi's sacrifice and vowed to avenge his death. "The men he trained ... will not rest until they avenge him and realize his aspirations and hopes, God willing," Yazid said.

Al Qaeda would have capitalized on Gadahn's death, given his unique status as an American member of al Qaeda. "I would imagine that if Gadahn got knocked off they would have announced his death just as quickly as they did [Abu Laith al Libi's death]," said Nick Grace, who closely tracks al Qaeda's propaganda and activity at jihadi forums. "Having an American become a martyr would be a propaganda coup for them and I imagine that ultimately Gadahn will be more useful for al Qaeda dead than alive."

Grace noted that Gadahn plays a leading role in al Qaeda's propaganda apparatus. "He has a leading voice within As Sahab's management," Grace said. Gadahn has taken over a significant role in As Sahab since the summer of 2006, and the propaganda has become more "sophisticated" since Gadahn's direction.

But signs of Gadahn's absence have been seen with the latest release of the Yazid video, said Grace. Files were not properly uploaded in the correct sequence. "Since taking the reins of as-Sahab, Gadahn instituted standards and practices that have been closely followed over the past year," Grace noted. "This is the first technical mistake that I have seen them make since the events back in September 2007," when the Osama bin Laden videotape was improperly handled.

Pakistani jihadis have told NBC News that Gadahn and his travel party have been unheard of since the Jan. 29 airstrike. "All our friends are worried about him but so far we could not make any contact with him," a jihadi told NBC News. "We had sent two of our friends to Mir Ali to locate him and provide us with details about him." The same sources said Gadahn was to attend the high-level meeting where al Libi was killed.

While there have been questions about Gadahn's purpose at such a meeting, his role as a senior media strategist makes his attendance possible. Al Qaeda and the Taliban's latest "spring offensive" in Afghanistan would require a propaganda component, one that Gadahn would uniquely fill as al Qaeda views him as an expert on the attitude of the American and Western public.

Gadahn, who is better known as Azzam the American or Azzam al Amriki, was born Adam Pearlman and converted to Islam in 1997. It is believed he joined al Qaeda in 2003 and was recruited by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks on America. Gadahn appeared in his first al Qaeda video in October 2004, and has been featured in several videos since. In his latest video, titled "An Invitation to Reflection and Repentance," Gadahn tore up his US passport and called for Americans to join al Qaeda.

He was indicted in a US federal court under charges of treason and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization for making al Qaeda propaganda videos. "By aligning himself with al Qaeda, by moving overseas to be closer to al Qaeda’s base and leadership, and by joining in advocating al Qaeda’s terrorist agenda, an agenda that includes the overthrow of the United States government and the murder of American citizens, Adam Gadahn has committed treason against the United States of America," said US Attorney Debra Wong Yang. He is the first American to be indicted for treason since 1952


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: adamgadahn; adamthejew; afghanistan; alqaida; azzamtheamerican; cool; crushislam; gadahn; islam; muslims; pakistan; roggio; rumor; terrorism; unconfirmed
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1 posted on 02/10/2008 3:16:05 AM PST by Left Coast Republican
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To: Left Coast Republican

If true it’s not like this assclown didn’t have it coming.
More to come I hope.


2 posted on 02/10/2008 3:26:35 AM PST by Joe Boucher (An enemy of Islam)
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To: Left Coast Republican
I think it is just a rumour. Gadahn does not leave the city much.

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

3 posted on 02/10/2008 3:26:55 AM PST by expatguy ("An American Expat in Southeast Asia" - New & Improved - Now with Search)
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To: Left Coast Republican

This is good news, traitors should be executed anyway it can be done.


4 posted on 02/10/2008 3:28:10 AM PST by Americanexpat
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To: Left Coast Republican

“Al Qaeda has been forthcoming about the death of its leaders in the past, and has taken the opportunity to use their deaths as propaganda and recruiting tools.”

Makes a lot of sense - dead Al Qaeda and dead fellow travelers are to everyones advantage.


5 posted on 02/10/2008 3:42:09 AM PST by Western Phil
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To: Americanexpat
Gadahn was believed to be en route to the village of Khushali Tari Khel to attend an “an important meeting with other senior al-Qaeda commanders for planning the so-called spring offensive against US and NATO troops in Afghanistan,”

What kind of “organization” has a fat dropout from California as a senior leader? A brilliant mind, I doubt it.

6 posted on 02/10/2008 4:12:00 AM PST by Recon Dad (Marine Spec Ops Dad)
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To: Left Coast Republican
Adam Gadahn Rumored Killed

As my granny used to say "Play in the creek and you get your feet wet".....

7 posted on 02/10/2008 4:23:55 AM PST by Thermalseeker (Silence is not always a Sign of Wisdom, but Babbling is ever a Mark of Folly. - B. Franklin)
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To: Left Coast Republican

More kindling for the fires of hell.


8 posted on 02/10/2008 4:29:45 AM PST by RU88
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To: Left Coast Republican

Well, there’s one less Democrat voter.

What state was he registered in again? Did he get an absentee ballot, or was he disenfranchised?


9 posted on 02/10/2008 4:32:24 AM PST by ovrtaxt (The GOP is no place for a nice Conservative like you.)
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To: Recon Dad

just wondering....where would they bury him??????? in kalifornia??? who picks up the tab??????????


10 posted on 02/10/2008 4:38:06 AM PST by FES0844 (FES0844)
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To: FES0844

If he was killed in an air strike they could bury the asshole in all the states.


11 posted on 02/10/2008 4:47:19 AM PST by ontap (Just another backstabbing conservative)
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To: Left Coast Republican
Image hosted by Photobucket.com i don't want to hear gadahn is dead... i want to SEE gadhan dead!!!
12 posted on 02/10/2008 4:48:32 AM PST by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
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To: FES0844
"where would they bury him??????? in kalifornia??? who picks up the tab??????????"

City of Berkley will pick up the tab.

13 posted on 02/10/2008 4:49:43 AM PST by Lockbar (March toward the sound of the guns.)
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To: Left Coast Republican
More on Goat Boy from Hot Air....

Hmmm: Fat traitor still missing after a week, jihadi pals worried sick

Awwwwww.....

14 posted on 02/10/2008 4:50:27 AM PST by mewzilla (In politics the middle way is none at all. John Adams)
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To: FES0844
just wondering....where would they bury him??????? in kalifornia??? who picks up the tab??????????

I would suspect FedEx would charge about $15.00 for what they could find of him. I personally would prefer he be captured.

15 posted on 02/10/2008 4:57:45 AM PST by Recon Dad (Marine Spec Ops Dad)
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To: expatguy
I think it is just a rumour.

We will see. His jihadists friends are surely worried about him

Where in the World is Adam Gadahn?

-- snip --

His jihadist friends have expressed concern about his whereabouts and speculate that he may have been killed in the same attack as al-Libi.

16 posted on 02/10/2008 4:58:35 AM PST by Kaslin (Peace is the aftermath of victory)
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To: Recon Dad

Gadahn was the AQ leadership’s secretary and designated computer geek. Kind of like an executive assistant. But he attended numerous terror summits with the changing AQ leadership pre-and post 9/11. But it sounds like he’s dead now and that’s a wonderful thing.


17 posted on 02/10/2008 5:06:58 AM PST by jimbo123
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To: Left Coast Republican

Anyone stop to think that maybe he’s missing, but NOT dead?

Tennis anyone? Waterboarding?


18 posted on 02/10/2008 5:15:35 AM PST by Dogbert41
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To: Left Coast Republican

Adam Gadahn.....a/k/a.....GOAT BOY..... Rumored Killed!!!!


19 posted on 02/10/2008 5:38:30 AM PST by nyyankeefan
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To: ovrtaxt
Well, there’s one less Democrat voter.

Not necessarily. In many states he can still vote, even if dead. But only Democrat.
20 posted on 02/10/2008 6:39:21 AM PST by rightwingintelligentsia (Bi-partisanship: Democrats and RINOs working together to screw up the country)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

Like Washington state. Even McCain eked out a win, thanks to such conditions.


21 posted on 02/10/2008 6:41:35 AM PST by ovrtaxt (The GOP is no place for a nice Conservative like you.)
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To: Left Coast Republican

If we got him, great. If not, let it be a warning to the fat chump that he’s next.


22 posted on 02/10/2008 6:45:04 AM PST by csvset
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
Maybe he came over to vote?

H'mmm, Hillary or Obama? I wonder what state he's registered in ?

Or did he come here as part of an advance team to scout another attack?

Cheers!

23 posted on 02/10/2008 6:48:22 AM PST by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: grey_whiskers

If alive he’ll be Obaama’s Veep....fat little creep.


24 posted on 02/10/2008 7:24:18 AM PST by Karliner ("Things are more like they are now than they ever were before. DDE)
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To: Joe Boucher

God, I hated that guy.


25 posted on 02/10/2008 7:26:53 AM PST by Rush4U (unnamed source)
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To: Left Coast Republican

Well, he wasn’t missed ... by that Hellfire missile.


26 posted on 02/10/2008 7:32:08 AM PST by coloradan (Failing to protect the liberties of your enemies establishes precedents that will reach to yourself.)
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To: Left Coast Republican

Wonderful if true. Traitors deserve no less.


27 posted on 02/10/2008 8:19:59 AM PST by CCGuy (USAF (Ret.))
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To: voletti; GOPJ; Tigen; AliVeritas; Grimmy; gonzo; DeaconBenjamin; indcons; sukhoi-30mki; ...
Pakistan ۋﮧ۱م

FReepmail if you want on or off
28 posted on 02/10/2008 11:18:00 AM PST by G8 Diplomat (Currently learning Farsi so someday you won't have to)
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To: Left Coast Republican

Why no verification of this rumor? It’s been several days and a dozen threads.


29 posted on 02/10/2008 11:19:06 AM PST by RightWhale (Clam down! avoid ataque de nervosa)
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To: RightWhale
Why no verification of this rumor? It’s been several days and a dozen threads.

Takes a while to get the DNA back? We wanna keep AQ wondering?

30 posted on 02/10/2008 11:25:53 AM PST by mewzilla (In politics the middle way is none at all. John Adams)
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To: Left Coast Republican; All

Wouldn’t it be something if Gadahn was always a mole planted by the CIA?


31 posted on 02/11/2008 8:44:16 PM PST by SoldierDad (Proud Dad of a 2nd BCT 10th Mountain Soldier home after 15 months in the Triangle of death)
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To: Left Coast Republican

I sure hope it’s true, although I would rather he be captured, sent to Gitmo, and tortured first.

But then I suppose McCain would try to rescue him.


32 posted on 02/11/2008 8:46:23 PM PST by Palladin ("Pimp" is a synonym for "Democrat".)
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To: Lockbar
"where would they bury him??????? in kalifornia??? who picks up the tab??????????"

City of Berkley will pick up the tab.

Wonderful - some will have a place to pee - and others will have a place to dance.

33 posted on 02/11/2008 8:51:08 PM PST by GOPJ (Take your ball - go home - sit this one out? Fifty years of liberal Supreme Court decisions? NO WAY.)
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To: RU88
Photobucket
34 posted on 02/11/2008 8:52:53 PM PST by redstateconfidential (If you are the smartest person in the room,you are hanging out with the wrong people.)
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To: Left Coast Republican
Additional confirmation, of a sort, from The Jawa Report

Do I really need to say it?

35 posted on 02/29/2008 3:00:49 AM PST by gridlock (Proud McCain Supporter since February 7, 2008.)
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To: SoldierDad

I hope that we DIDN’T get him with the missle and that his Taliban buddies are thinking the same thing. It might take them a while to be sure. And I hope that they make it highly unplesant for him.


36 posted on 02/29/2008 3:07:37 AM PST by Have Ruck - Will Travel
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To: Have Ruck - Will Travel

There is always hope then :) water-board anyone


37 posted on 02/29/2008 6:38:16 AM PST by LynnHam
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To: Have Ruck - Will Travel

Agreed.


38 posted on 02/29/2008 8:45:41 AM PST by SoldierDad (Proud Dad of a 2nd BCT 10th Mountain Soldier home after 15 months in the Triangle of death)
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To: Left Coast Republican


"He blowed up real good!"
39 posted on 02/29/2008 8:47:24 AM PST by Kozak (Anti Shahada: There is no god named Allah, and Muhammed is a false prophet)
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To: Recon Dad
What kind of “organization” has a fat dropout from California as a senior leader?

He was like a dumb-fat-white-boy mascot they kept around for amusement. They probably killed him when he told them he missed pizza and GameBoy and wanted to go home.

40 posted on 02/29/2008 8:51:58 AM PST by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: expatguy
“Having an American become a martyr would be a propaganda coup for them and I imagine that ultimately Gadahn will be more useful for al Qaeda dead than alive.”

Maybe AQ will see the wisdom of this statement, if he’s still alive.

41 posted on 02/29/2008 10:09:24 AM PST by Recon Dad (Marine Spec Ops Dad)
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To: StarFan; Dutchy; alisasny; BobFromNJ; BUNNY2003; Cacique; Clemenza; Coleus; cyborg; DKNY; ...

ping


42 posted on 02/29/2008 10:11:17 AM PST by nutmeg (Obama supporters: Drink the Kool-Aid? Yes we can!)
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To: ASA Vet; BIGLOOK; george76; Seadog Bytes; SandRat

Hopefully more good news.

If true apparently this a$$wipe’s computer was found and is telling our side more about who is who in al Qaeda and where who is.


43 posted on 02/29/2008 10:16:15 AM PST by Grampa Dave ("Ron Paul and his flaming antiwar spam monkeys can Kiss my Ass!!"- Jim Robinson, Sept, 30, 2007)
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To: Cindy; Enchante; STARWISE; jveritas; nutmeg; Dog

This may end up being a really good event for our side.


44 posted on 02/29/2008 10:26:12 AM PST by Grampa Dave ("Ron Paul and his flaming antiwar spam monkeys can Kiss my Ass!!"- Jim Robinson, Sept, 30, 2007)
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To: ovrtaxt
Well, there’s one less Democrat voter.

Simply being dead does not hamper a DemoncRAT voter.
Someone will make sure his vote is counted multiple times.

45 posted on 02/29/2008 10:35:16 AM PST by ASA Vet
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To: Grampa Dave
computer was found

Read one report of that on the day it happened, nothing since.

46 posted on 02/29/2008 10:42:22 AM PST by ASA Vet
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To: Left Coast Republican

This would be nice and all but I admit, I long for the days when the targets had easy names like TOJO.
Trying to keep up with these @ssholes’ names gives me this creepy multicultural felling in my stomach. I don’t even want to read their stupid paragraph length names!


47 posted on 02/29/2008 10:53:39 AM PST by The Toll
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To: Grampa Dave; SE Mom; Laverne; rodguy911; Bahbah

Boy, I hope so. Tick... tick .. tick ...


48 posted on 02/29/2008 11:38:01 AM PST by STARWISE (They (Dims) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war-RichardMiniter, respected OBL author)
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To: Grampa Dave
If true apparently this a$$wipe’s computer was found and is telling our side more about who is who in al Qaeda and where who is.

I hope that's true, but his computer probably contains lots of porn. That's very typical of these jihadi hypocrites.

49 posted on 02/29/2008 11:45:44 AM PST by NYC GOP Chick
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To: Left Coast Republican
"Having an American become a martyr would be a propaganda coup for them and I imagine that ultimately Gadahn will be more useful for al Qaeda dead than alive."

Maybe it's just me, but I'd have reservations about joining an organization that feels that way.

50 posted on 02/29/2008 11:50:16 AM PST by Dog Gone
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