Anwar al-Awlaki was an American. born cleric who became a prominent al-Qaida figure, linked to the terrorist group's Yemeni wing called al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Obama administration targeted him for his role in orchestrating terrorism aimed at the United States. He had been a prominent and vocal al-Qaida member since the May death of Osama bin Laden.

Awlaki was born in New Mexico in 1971 to Yemeni parents and was fluent in Arabic and English. He served as an imam at several U.S. mosques and later began traveling to Yemen.

In spite of his American background, he became a vocal critic of America and was suspected of motivating others to commit violence against U.S. interests.

In a November 2010 speech, he told his followers they did not need to consult with anyone before killing Americans. He said for Muslims, it was a question of “us or them.”

Awlaki was wanted by both the U.S. and Yemen for his alleged role in several terrorist attacks.

Authorities believe Awlaki helped the Nigerian suspect linked to the 2009 Christmas Day attempted bombing of a U.S. airliner that was approaching the U.S. city of Detroit. Awlaki also acted as an adviser to the Army psychiatrist accused of carrying out a 2009 mass shooting at a U.S. military base that left 13 people dead.

Yemeni authorities charged Awlaki with “inciting violence against foreigners” for the 2010 killing of a French oil industry worker in Yemen.