Two al Qaeda Leaders in Yemen Released by U.S. (in 2007) from Guantanamo

[sabra]

Source: ABC News

Men Believed Behind Northwest Airline Plot Transferred to Saudi Arabia in 2007 and Set Free

Two of the four leaders allegedly behind the al Qaeda plot to blow up a Northwest Airlines passenger jet over Detroit were released by the U.S. from the Guantanamo prison in November, 2007, according to American officials and Department of Defense documents.

American officials agreed to send the two terrorists to Saudi Arabia where they entered into an "art therapy rehabilitation program" and were set free, according to U.S. and Saudi officials.

Guantanamo prisoner #333, Muhamad Attik al-Harbi, and prisoner #372, Said Ali Shari, were sent to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 9, 2007, according to the Defense Department log of detainees who were released from American custody. Al-Harbi has since changed his name to Muhamad al-Awfi.

Both Saudi nationals have since emerged in leadership roles in Yemen, according to U.S. officials and the men's own statements on al Qaeda propaganda tapes.

Both of the former Guantanamo detainees are described as military commanders and appear on a January, 2009 video along with the man described as the top leader of al Qaeda in Yemen, Abu Basir Naser al-Wahishi, formerly Osama bin Laden's personal secretary.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/men-believed-northwest-airlines-plot-set-free/story?id=9434065

[jpak]

1. So Bush IS responsible for the recent terror attack!

:evilgrin:

[AlphaCentauri]

2. Thats how you make a nobody into a rock start

probably these guys where nobodies until they where jail and might be abused.

[damntexdem]

3. Well, Dubya obviously inherited the 2007 Gitmo release from the Clinton Administration.

Along with all the other problems of the world. ;-)

[Ian David]

4. Rarely is the question asked, is our presidents learning? Thanks again, Bush!

Keeping us safe my ass!

[Jefferson23]

5. I can't wait to hear Cheney's spin on this, and Bush, he'll continue to

keep his mouth shut I suspect.

[naaman fletcher]

7. The spin will be that they never should have been released,

and that there will be more of these if guantanamo is closed.

[Jefferson23]

11. Yea, but they were released on the Bush/Cheney watch, he will need to throw Bush under that bus.

[naaman fletcher]

12. nah..

He will say they were released under pressure from the ACLU, or something.

[Jefferson23]

14. Let's hope he says that, as he has never cared what they said in the past, lol.

[Mz Pip]

16. I'd almost be willing to bet money

that not one "journalist" will call him on this. He'll babble that this is all Obama's fault because he is soft on terrorism and everyone will just let it slide.

[madokie]

17. If I was a betting man I'd bet w is soused somewhere most all the time

feeling no pain, having no cares and no worries except if the liquor is going to hold out.

[bluestateguy]

6. Once again, George W. Bush's soft on terrorism policies have cost us

nt

[Fleshdancer]

8. "art therapy rehabilitation program"??? Seriously?

Let me get this straight. GOPers are pissy over the idea of sending Guantanamo prisoners into our court systems, but sending a few to an "art therapy rehabilitation program" in Saudi Arabia is ok?

:banghead:

[WriteDown]

15. Maybe studying Van Gogh wasn't a good idea. nt

[Fleshdancer]

19. ROFL!

DUzy

[iandhr]

9. But But But

I thought only the GOP could handle national security

:sarcasm:

[Thickasabrick]

10. Question. Did they become terrorists before or after Gitmo? nt

[elehhhhna]

13. Answer: during

[madokie]

18. You got that right

[Truth2Tell]

20. This is complete bullshit.

"Two of the four leaders allegedly behind the al Qaeda plot..."

So far there is no credible evidence that this was an Al Qaeda plot, or that these guys were "behind it" in any way whatsoever. None. Zippo. But ABC is now reporting such as if it were established fact.

Nor is there any evidence that that these released Yemenis are "leaders" of Al Qaeda or even of the group that made this video. They appear as propaganda stars - ex-Gitmo heroes. But now US officials and ABC News will just cast them as "leaders."

The script seems clear here... We can't let anyone out of Gitmo or they will plot to blow up airplanes.