Anwar on Marib Or Where is Anwar Awlaki and Who is Writing His Blog?
OK, I’m not one normally to delve into the self pitying machinations or wailing treatises of al Qaeda. However, I find it odd that for the first time, Yemeni-American Anwar Awlaki is writing an extremely detailed account of a battle in Marib on his (uncensored) blog.
Anwar is framing the clash as the first conflict between the Yemeni mujids and the army, and using uncharacteristically awful grammar, as opposed to those of us who consistently use awful grammar. Considering his dad was the head of Sana’a U, this is a bit disappointing.
Anwar’s prior posts are poetic, well punctuated and demonstrate his good vocabulary. Now we get this bluster: Casualties amongst the ranks of the mujahideen: None. None killed, none injured and no damage to their houses or property either. Its an odd tone for the site.
Anwar never focused on Yemeni issues before, but now is gloating about the government’s “humiliation” and lists in detail the captured weapons and soldiers. (The result of the battle was five destroyed tanks, two armored vehicles, at least 3 soldiers killed and five soldiers taken prisoners. The brothers also took over an entire truck load of weapons in addition to other pieces of equipment left behind by the fleeing soldiers.) Anwar is a theorist, not a tactician. The post ends with, “The army pulled out after asking for a truce from the mujahideen.”
Maybe Anwar is off somewhere like hmmmm South Africa and has a ghost writer that sounds both familiar and discordant. The fluent English and strident tone limit the pool of potential authors. Or perhaps Anwar was there at the battle and the adrenaline got to him.
Update: The excellent NEFA gives the full text here.
