USS Cole bombing organizer killed in precision strike in Yemen

An al Qaeda operative held responsible for the plotting of the deadly bombing of destroyer USS Cole in 2000 was killed in a precision airstrike, the US Central Command has confirmed.

“Jamal al-Badawi was killed in a precision strike in Marib governate [Yemen] on January 1,” spokesman Capt. Bill Urban said in a statement on January 6.

“Jamal al-Badawi was a legacy al Qaeda operative in Yemen involved in the USS Cole bombing. US forces confirmed the results of the strike following a deliberate assessment process.”

Jamal al-Badawi was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2003, charged with 50 counts of various terrorism offenses, including murder of US nationals and murder of US military personnel. He was wanted by the US for his role in the Oct. 12, 2000, terrorist attack against USS Cole, and was also charged with attempting with co-conspirators to attack a US Navy vessel in January 2000.”

Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) was attacked during a brief refueling stop in the harbor of Aden, Yemen. The suicide terrorist attack killed 17 members of the ship’s crew, wounded 39 others and seriously damaged the ship.

After 14 months of upgrades and repairs, the Arleigh Burke-class – “Determined Warrior” – returned to the fleet, departing Pascagoula, Mississippi, April 19, 2002.