YouTube told to block videos broadcast by Yemeni Qaeda preacher Anwar al-Awlaki

LONDON - YouTube has been called on to block thousands of videos by Yemen-based preacher Anwar al-Awlaki, one of the world’s most wanted terrorists, which allow him to preach directly, in English, to potential new recruits.
The head of MI5 in a speech last week warned that al-Awlaki was encouraging his followers to act “alone and with little formal training.”

Awlaki lived in Britain for two years and built up a substantial following that included the July 7, July 21 and trans-Atlantic airlines bombers.

According to The Telegraph, since moving to Yemen he has gained steadily in popularity through his skillful use of the Internet.

A government document reported by the Daily Telegraph earlier this year revealed that he had 1,910 videos on the site and one video had been viewed 164,420 times but a search yesterday showed the number of videos has now grown to more than 5,000.

Among his most popular titles are “Constants on the Path to Jihad” and “44 Ways to Support Jihad.”

Youtube must now begin to consider implementing robust measures which would prevent users from accessing his work so readily.”

The Home Office said they would work with international partners to tackle the problem. (ANI)