The State Department announced the designation of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) operative Fahd Mohammed Ahmed al-Quso as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The action was conducted with the United Nations and the Treasury Department and reflects the continuing movement against AQAP's leaders and finances.

Al-Quso has participated in anti-American terrorism for at least the last 10 years. The State Department's designation cites his involvement in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in the Yemeni port of Aden and his membership in al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula in 2007. He was also added to the FBI's most wanted terrorists list in November 2009 and appeared in a May 2010 AQAP video. In the video, al-Quso threatened attacks on the U.S. homeland, as well as U.S. embassies and naval vessels around the world. Operationally, his capability stems from being a senior leader of AQAP as well as a cell leader.

AQAP has successfully recruited several Americans to fight in Yemen and has inspired terrorist attempts on Americans at home and abroad. Examples of AQAP's reach can be seen its English-language magazine, Inspire. Articles on AQAP and Inspire can be accessed here, here, here, and here.