U.S. Warns Of Retaliation Following Las Cruces-Born Cleric’s Killing

The Obama administration says the killing of a New Mexico-born cleric in Yemen has raised the risk of anti-American violence worldwide.

The State Department says the death of Anwar al-Awlaki, who was born in Las Cruces, would provide motivation for individuals or groups to retaliate against U.S. citizens or American interests.

A department warning issued Saturday notes that al-Awlaki and other members of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula previously called for attacks against the U.S., and the warning says his supporters could seek to avenge his death.

Al-Awlaki was killed during an attack on his convoy early Friday.

The State Department issued a similar alert after Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan. This latest alert is set to expire at the end of November.

al-Awlaki was born in Las Cruces in 1971 while his father attended New Mexico State University and earned a master’s degree in agricultural economics. al-Awlaki moved to Yemen when he was seven, and had dual citizenship in the U.S. and Yemen. He is the first U.S. Citizen approved for targeted killing.