Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Said Ali al-Shihri was released to Saudi Arabia in November 2007, after six years in the U.S. prison camp. In January 2009, reports surfaced that said al-Shihri had become the deputy leader of Al Qaeda in Yemen. An announcement on al-Shihri's status within the terrorist organization was made by Al Quaeda on the Internet. al-Shihri is suspected in the deadly bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Yemen in September 2008.The New York Times: Freed by the U.S., Saudi Becomes a Qaeda Chief FOX News: Al Qaeda Chief Was Released by U.S. From Gitmo
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"They're one and the same guy. He returned to Saudi Arabia in 2007, but his movements to Yemen remain unclear."— Anonymous American counterterrorism officialThe New York Times: Freed by the U.S., Saudi Becomes a Qaeda Chief
"The lesson here is, whoever receives former Guantanamo detainees needs to keep a close eye on them."— Anonymous American counterterrorism officialThe New York Times: Freed by the U.S., Saudi Becomes a Qaeda Chief
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Fast Facts
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Detained at Guantanamo Bay for six years
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Believed to be Al Qaeda chief in Yemen as of January 2009
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Suspected in the deadly bombing attack on the U.S. Embassy in Yemen on September 17, 2008
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January 21, 2009
President Barack Obama signed an executive order to close the U.S. detention camp at Guantanamo Bay within one yearAssociated Press: Draft order sees Guantanamo prison shut in a year (January 21, 2009)
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The Pentagon says more than 60 former Gitmo detainees have "taken up arms" against the United States since their releaseLos Angeles Times: Obama overturns Bush tactics in war on terrorism (January 23, 2009)
