Obama: Osama bin Laden killed in Pakistan
US President Barack Obama announced on Sunday that Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has been killed by US forces in Pakistan.
In a late-night address to the nation, Obama said that at his direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where bin Laden was hiding. He said US operatives killed him after a firefight, and took custody of his body.
Bin Laden had eluded US forces that invaded Afghanistan after the 2001 attacks on the United States. Obama disclosed that US intelligence had briefed him last August on a possible lead to bin Laden, and that finally last week, the US had enough intelligence to take action.
The US president said the terror suspect had been tracked down after an investigation that lasted more than 6 months, and that the United States acted alone.
The leader of Al Qaeda had apparently been living in a large house in an upscale compound in Abbottabad, some 50 kilometers north of the Pakistani capital Islamabad. Situated in an area that is home to many retired military personnel, the compound had tight security measures, including outer walls that towered 5 meters high.
Four other men, which likely include one of Osama bin Laden’s sons, were killed in the shootout.
The United States government says it continues to be on high alert against terrorist attacks, as Al Qaeda has become more active since relocating its base to the Arabian Peninsula.
Monday, May 02, 2011 19:09 +0900 (JST)
(No Ratings Yet)