The WorldPostDonald TrumpU.S. NewsInternational News

Al Qaeda Leader Targeted In Botched Yemen Raid Taunts Donald Trump

“The fool of the White House got slapped."
Open Image Modal
By 

Overnight Editor, HuffPost

A top al Qaeda terrorist targeted in the botched raid on a Yemen compound last month is taunting President Donald Trump, who authorized the strike.

“The fool of the White House got slapped at the beginning of his road in your lands,” Qassim al-Rimi said in a message to his followers over the weekend, according to the NBC News.

CNN and NBC both reported that one of the goals of the mission was to capture or kill al-Rimi, the leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and a top terrorist recruiter.

However, U.S. Central Command told CNN that the goal of the mission was to gather intelligence and that they had no hard evidence indicating al-Rimi would be there.

Chief Petty Officer William “Ryan” Owens of SEAL Team 6 was killed in the raid, as were several civilians including an 8-year-old girl. NBC News reports that at least 14 al Qaeda fighters were also killed in the raid. 

The U.S. State Department’s “Rewards for Justice” program lists a $5 million bounty for al-Rimi, who it says is the senior military commander for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. 

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Muslim Leaders Condemn Terrorism
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf(01 of06)
Open Image Modal
“The truth is that killing innocent people is always wrong — and no argument or excuse, no matter how deeply believed, can ever make it right. No religion on earth condones the killing of innocent people, no faith tradition tolerates the random killing of our brothers and sisters on this earth. ... Islamic law is clearly against terrorism, against any kind of deliberate killing of civilians or similar ‘collateral damage.’ ” -What's Right With Islam Is What's Right With America, via The New York Times (credit:Reuters)
Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.(02 of06)
Open Image Modal
“We will never allow ourselves to be hijacked by this attempt, and we will not allow the perception to be that there is any religion in the world that condones the taking of innocent life,” said Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. (credit:Getty Images)
Saudi's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh(03 of06)
Open Image Modal
“Islam does not allow terrorism at any cost. Islam condemns all violence and terrorism plaguing the world today. Muslims should demonstrate a love for peace and unity."-Hajj Sermon 2013 (credit:Getty Images)
Jordan's King Abdullah II(04 of06)
Open Image Modal
"We condemn the criminal and terrorist act that targeted a church in Baghdad", Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh told a news conference Monday. "We condemn all forms of terrorism, particularly targeting civilians. Jordan supports all efforts seeking to enhance Iraq's security," he pointed out. Judeh said King Abdullah II hd expressed his sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the victims of the attack and wished the injured a speedy recovery. -Aina.org (credit:Jordan Pix via Getty Images)
Shaykh Yusuf Qaradawi of Qatar(05 of06)
Open Image Modal
Shaykh Yusuf Qaradawi, Qatar; Tariq Bishri, Egypt; Muhammad S. Awwa, Egypt; Fahmi Huwaydi, Egypt; Haytham Khayyat, Syria; Shaykh Taha Jabir al-Alwani, U.S.: “All Muslims ought to be united against all those who terrorize the innocents, and those who permit the killing of non-combatants without a justifiable reason. Islam has declared the spilling of blood and the destruction of property as absolute prohibitions until the Day of Judgment. … [It is] necessary to apprehend the true perpetrators of these crimes, as well as those who aid and abet them through incitement, financing or other support. They must be brought to justice in an impartial court of law and [punished] appropriately. … [It is] a duty of Muslims to participate in this effort with all possible means.” Statement of September 27, 2001. (credit:FAYEZ NURELDINE via Getty Images)
Worldwide(06 of06)
Open Image Modal
See more statements from Muslim leaders from around the world hereAnd hereHereAlsoAnd here. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="589959c0e4b09bd304bd46e9" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="5" data-vars-position-in-unit="14">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63651050@N00/9980658376" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="tomaszd" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="589959c0e4b09bd304bd46e9" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63651050@N00/9980658376" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="6" data-vars-position-in-unit="15">tomaszd</a>)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip