US terrorist claims reach citizens

White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan
Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=132024&sectionid=3510203

A senior US official says dozens of Americans have joined what he called "terrorist groups" and said they are posing a threat to the United States and its interests abroad.

Deputy White House national security adviser for homeland security and counterterrorism John Brennan made the comment during an interview with the Washington Times newspaper on Thursday.

"There are, in my mind, dozens of US persons who are in different parts of the world, and they are very concerning to us," said the senior homeland security consultant to US President Barack Obama.

He did not, however, disclose further information about his "list of American terrorists."

"They are concerning to us, not just because of the passport they hold, but because they understand our operational environment here, they bring with them certain skills, whether it be language skills or familiarity with potential targets, and they are very worrisome, and we are determined to take away their ability to assist with terrorist attacks," added the US official.

Brennan also said US intelligence and law enforcement agencies have been tracking down US citizens who, he claimed, posed security threats.

He made the comments in response to how the US president could authorize the use of lethal force against Americans who have allegedly joined al-Qaeda or other hard-line groups.

Missile attacks using drones in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen have been part of procedures adopted by the US administration for that end.

The United Nations has condemned the practice, saying it may violate international humanitarian law.

The American Civil Liberties Union warned that the current program to kill suspected terrorists in foreign countries would create a precedent for other countries to follow.