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.
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