Yemen-based American cleric Anwar al-Awlaki releases West hate video online

New York, Oct. 25 (ANI): Yemeni security forces have reportedly launched a manhunt for Al Qaeda operatives in southern Shabwa province after U.S.-born Muslim cleric, who is believed to be hiding in the area, appeared in a video posted online.

According to Fox News, security forces and local tribes have begun scouring the mountainous Said district in Shabwa for suspected militants of the terrorist group.

SITE Institute, a U.S.-based terrorism watchdog group, on Saturday released a video-tape showing Anwar al-Awlaki giving a religious lecture in Arabic.

The two-minute-long video was posted on an Islamist website used by Al Qaeda operatives, but its date of filming was unclear.

He reportedly praised the Fort Hood shooter and the Christmas Day bomber in the video.

A security official said the Shabwa governor and the Awlaki clan have forged a deal to "expel Al Qaeda elements from their territories and mount a joint operation with the army (to do so)."

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said there are some 400 Al Qaeda fighters active in the country. (ANI)