PrintFebruary 9, 2008
Where in the World is Adam Gadahn? (updated)
American traitor Adam Gadahn, AKA "Azzam al-Amriki" (Azzam the American) has appeared in several al-Qaeda videos in recent years, proclaiming his allegiance to Osama Bin Laden and issuing blood curdling warnings of future attacks on America.
But shortly after the Predator drone attack that killed al-Qaeda’s #4 ranked official in January 31, Abu Laith al-Libi, Gadahn disappeared.
His jihadist friends have expressed concern about his whereabouts and speculate that he may have been killed in the same attack as al-Libi. But US intelligence flatly denies that Gadahn was even in the vicinity:
Jihadist sources on the Pakistan side of the border are telling local journalists they are worried. One who described himself as a “very close friend” of Gadahn said the 28-year-old California native had until recently been spending most of his time in the populated areas of South Waziristan, near the towns of Wana, Azam Warsak and Shahkai. The same friend said Gadahn had left for North Waziristan a week before the Predator attack in Mir Ali, where he was supposed to attend “an important meeting”.Could Gadahn have been grabbed by special forces and is even now undergoing interrogation?
The friend said that, after the Predator attack on January 31, they lost “all contact” with Gadahn.
"All our friends are worried about him but so far we could not make any contact with him. We had sent two of our friends to Mir Ali to locate him and provide us with details about him," the supposed friend explained. He added that other militants who traveled with Gadahn also were missing.
The self-described friend said Gadahn and his comrades may have decided to remain silent due to security reasons, or perhaps Gadahn was killed in the attack.
Both intelligence and law enforcement sources says they have heard the same reports, but they tell NBC News they do not believe that Gadahn was killed in the Predator attack. However, they note that they are having difficulty determining the identities of the 13 people killed in the attacks.
This would be something our government would be extremely reluctant to announce. Gadahn was in the inner circle and would probably have some fairly specific information on the whereabouts of Bin Laden. He would also have a general knowledge of any attacks planned on America in the near future. Any announcement that we had him would cause al-Qaeda to scurry for cover and we may lose the chance to bag them.
Then again, if he is dead, it would represent a significant victory against the terrorists. The "fat American traitor" as many bloggers refer to Gadahn, has been thumbing his nose at America for years. It would be enormously satisfying if he got what he and his compatriots so richly deserve.
Update -- Marc Sheppard writes
NBC news sources believe the jihadist senior operative with a million dollar bounty on his head may have been killed alongside al-Qaeda commander Abu Laith al-Libi in our January 31st Predator attack on Mir Ali in Pakistan's North Waziristan province
Ironically born Adam Pearlman of mixed Jewish and Catholic blood, Gadahn is best known for his incendiary anti-American videos, one of which demanded that we all convert to Islam or die. But he's also been tied to meetings with 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and a number of domestic terror plots.
NBC reports that a "very close friend" told them that "all contact" with Gadahn was lost after the January 31st American strike. Other terrorists known to be traveling with him are also missing. Gadahn had reportedly left for North Waziristan a week before the strike to attend "an important meeting".
While it remains possible that the group is simply laying low in response to being attacked, there's good reason to believe that this despicable traitor has made his last video.
Blog scuttlebutt leans otherwise, as many believe that the martyrdom of an American fighting for their Jihad would have prompted an immediate al-Qaeda PR announcement.
But we've yet to learn the identities of the 13 people killed in the attacks.
Dare we believe al-Qaeda is better informed?
Update: AT cartoonist Ronny Gordon drew inspiration from this story, titling it "The last thought in Adam Gadahn's mind":
