Yemeni Airstrike Targets Cleric Linked to Fort Hood Shooting

An airstrike by Yemeni forces killed 30 and appeared to target Anwar al-Aulaqi, the Yemeni-American cleric linked to the massacre at the Fort Hood Army base in Texas, the Washington Post reports. The strike hit the Aulaqi's home in southeastern Yemen, an alleged al-Qaeda hideout where top leaders were believed to be meeting. It is unclear if the cleric was present or if he was killed.

Aulaqi had corresponded with Maj. Nidal Hasan, the Army psychiatrist who is being held for killing 13 of his comrades at Fort Hood in November, and is believed to have provided Hasan with religious guidance.

With the help of the U.S. government, the Yemeni military has cracked down on terrorist activity, as American officials believe Yemen is becoming a haven for al-Qaeda. Last week, Yemeni forces killed 28 alleged militants at what was believed to be an al-Qaeda training camp -- a mission the U.S. backed with intelligence and unspecified "other assistance." Tribal leaders denounced the attack, saying most of the casualties were civilian women and children.

A poor nation on the Saudi peninsula, Yemen is strategic for the United States, as it is the country of origin for a large percentage of the remaining detainees at the Guantanamo Bay prison. Last week, the Obama administration announced that six Yemeni detainees would be returned to their home country, possibly leading the way for dozens more to follow. American security officials visited Yemen to survey the situation to ensure that returning detainees are rehabilitated and prevented from engaging in radical activity.