Al-Qaida confirms No. 2 leader and head of its Yemen affiliate killed in US strike
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - This image from video released Jan. 23, 2009, by al-Malahim Media Foundation and provided by IntelCenter on Dec. 30, 2009, shows the leader of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, identified by the IntelCenter as Nasir al-Wahishi, in Yemen. Al-Qaida on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 confirmed that al-Wahishi, its No. 2 figure and leader of its powerful Yemeni affiliate, was killed in a U.S. strike, making it the harshest blow to the global militant network since the killing of Osama bin Laden. (IntelCenter via AP, File) (The Associated Press)
Al-Qaida has confirmed that Nasir al-Wuhayshi, its No. 2 figure and leader of its powerful Yemeni affiliate, has been killed in a U.S. strike.
In a video statement released early Tuesday by the media wing of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, the group confirmed his death and said his deputy, Qassim al-Rimi, has been named its new leader.
Al-Wuhayshi was the deputy of al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri and once served as Osama bin Laden's personal secretary.