In a new audio recording, the leader of the Yemen branch of Al Qaeda has warned Americans they will be harmed by the Obama administration’s alleged decision to authorize the assassination of an American-born Islamic cleric linked to the Ft. Hood shooting and attempted X-Mas Day airplane terrorism plots.

In the ten minute audio recording, Nasir Abu Basir Al-Wuhayshi, the emir of the Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, pledges that Islamic fighers in Yemen will do everything they can to protect the American-born cleric, Anwar Al-Awlaki.

“The American administration issued a decision to the effect that the heroic, truth-telling preacher Anwar Al-Awlaki, may Allah preserve him, is wanted dead or alive,” Al-Wuhayshi says in the audio recording, a transcript of which was made available by the Washington-based Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) project.

“Obama, through these kinds of decisions, is leading you [the American people] to what will harm you and humble you, and will not benefit your security,” Al-Wuhayshi warns. “He has already left you bereft of your sons.”

“Speak [the truth] to your people, oh Obama,” he continues. “Do not hide from them the magnitude of the danger that will come unexpectedly and that awaits them. Reveal to them the investigation files, the[terror] cells, the plots that are still ongoing, and the targets that the mujahideen are striving and determined to strike again.”

Born in New Mexico, al-Awlaki, 39, was reportedly in communication with the Nigerian suspect charged with attempting to blow up a Detroit-bound flight on Christmas, and with the army psychiatrist accused of shooting 13 army personnel at Ft. Hood last November.

The New York Times reported last week that the NSC has approved the CIA putting Awlaki on a list of terrorist suspects to be targeted for assassination, despite al-Awlaki being a U.S. citizen.

(Source: Politico)