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Nasser al-Wuhayshi, Al Qaeda Yemen Leader, Confirmed Dead in U.S. Strike Nasser al-Wuhayshi, Al Qaeda Yemen Leader, Confirmed Dead in U.S. Strike
(about 1 hour later)
BAGHDAD — Al Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen released a video statement on Tuesday confirming the death of its leader, Nasser al-Wuhayshi, in an American missile strike last week. His death was also confirmed by the Obama administration on Tuesday.BAGHDAD — Al Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen released a video statement on Tuesday confirming the death of its leader, Nasser al-Wuhayshi, in an American missile strike last week. His death was also confirmed by the Obama administration on Tuesday.
Mr. Wuhayshi, 38, who had led Qaeda operations in Yemen since 2002 and was also the global extremist network’s second-ranking leader, was killed along with two other operatives, the statement said.Mr. Wuhayshi, 38, who had led Qaeda operations in Yemen since 2002 and was also the global extremist network’s second-ranking leader, was killed along with two other operatives, the statement said.
The group said that its military commander, Qassim al-Raimi, had been chosen as Mr. Wuhayshi’s successor.The group said that its military commander, Qassim al-Raimi, had been chosen as Mr. Wuhayshi’s successor.
“Let it be known to the enemies of God that their battle is not only with one person or figure, no matter how important,” a senior Qaeda operative, Khaled Batarfi, said in the statement. “To the infidel America: God has kept alive those who will trouble your life and make you taste the bitterness of defeat.”“Let it be known to the enemies of God that their battle is not only with one person or figure, no matter how important,” a senior Qaeda operative, Khaled Batarfi, said in the statement. “To the infidel America: God has kept alive those who will trouble your life and make you taste the bitterness of defeat.”
The Qaeda statement apparently resolves uncertainty about the fate of Mr. Wuhayshi, but the result of an attack over the weekend on another prominent militant was in doubt. Over the weekend, American F-15s carried out an airstrike in Libya against Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who planned an attack on an Algerian gas plant in 2013 in which 38 foreign workers died. It was unclear whether the missiles had hit their target.The Qaeda statement apparently resolves uncertainty about the fate of Mr. Wuhayshi, but the result of an attack over the weekend on another prominent militant was in doubt. Over the weekend, American F-15s carried out an airstrike in Libya against Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who planned an attack on an Algerian gas plant in 2013 in which 38 foreign workers died. It was unclear whether the missiles had hit their target.
The White House statement called Mr. Wuhayshi’s death “a major blow to AQAP, Al Qaeda’s most dangerous affiliate, and to Al Qaeda more broadly.” The term stands for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Mr. Wuhayshi oversaw “the group’s plotting against the United States, U.S. interests in the Arabian Peninsula, and those of our allies in the region,” and was responsible for the “deaths of innocent Yemenis and Westerners, including Americans,” the statement said.The White House statement called Mr. Wuhayshi’s death “a major blow to AQAP, Al Qaeda’s most dangerous affiliate, and to Al Qaeda more broadly.” The term stands for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Mr. Wuhayshi oversaw “the group’s plotting against the United States, U.S. interests in the Arabian Peninsula, and those of our allies in the region,” and was responsible for the “deaths of innocent Yemenis and Westerners, including Americans,” the statement said.
Mr. Wuhayshi’s death, the statement added, “removes from the battlefield an experienced terrorist leader, and brings us closer to degrading and ultimately defeating these groups.”Mr. Wuhayshi’s death, the statement added, “removes from the battlefield an experienced terrorist leader, and brings us closer to degrading and ultimately defeating these groups.”
Despite the recent deaths of Mr. Wuhayshi and several other senior leaders, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has grown more powerful in Yemen over the last few months, capitalizing on the civil war there to capture territory and forge new alliances with Sunni tribes to fight the Houthis, a Shiite rebel group that controls large parts of the country. Despite the recent deaths of Mr. Wuhayshi and several other senior leaders, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has grown more formidable in Yemen over the last few months, capitalizing on the civil war there to capture territory and forge new alliances with Sunni tribes to fight the Houthis, a Shiite rebel group from the north that controls large parts of the country.
In early April, Al Qaeda seized control of Al Mukalla, Yemen’s fifth-largest city, reportedly capturing millions of dollars from the vaults of the central bank. The city, which is in a remote coastal area, has remained relatively untouched by the spreading civil war.In early April, Al Qaeda seized control of Al Mukalla, Yemen’s fifth-largest city, reportedly capturing millions of dollars from the vaults of the central bank. The city, which is in a remote coastal area, has remained relatively untouched by the spreading civil war.
Saudi Arabia, which is leading an air offensive against the Houthis that began in late March and has carried out airstrikes across the country, has not taken any military action against Al Qaeda, which is also fighting the Houthis. Saudi Arabia, which is leading an air offensive against the Houthis that began in late March and has carried out airstrikes across the country, has not taken any military action against Al Qaeda in Al Mukalla. The militant group is also fighting the Houthis.
Local news media said three Qaeda operatives, including leaders, were killed in Al Mukalla on June 9 by a missile strike near the beach. Pictures posted on the website of a local newspaper showed a crater on a stone plaza, in an area that was popular with residents for picnics. Other pictures showed a bloody torso on the beach. The militants’ high profile in Al Mukalla – where they interact openly with residents, and regularly patrol the streets — may have made them more vulnerable. The editor of a local news website, who requested anonymity out of fear of reprisal by the militants, said they had likely been “infilitrated” by spies.
As recently as Monday, though, American officials were saying that they were still investigating reports of Mr. Wuhayshi’s death, an indication of the murky nature of the Obama administration’s policy of using missile strikes to remotely kill people it believes to be militants, with little certainty about whom the missiles have struck. The Qaeda men had “made themselves too visible” in the city, he added. “They are available in mosques, markets and restaurants. Mobile phone sellers say the militants enjoy buying smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy. In the afternoons, they park their cars outside local restaurants and have their favorite meal – fried chicken,” he said. “It would be easy for anyone to catch them.”
At least three senior militants, including Mr. Wuhayshi, have been killed in recent weeks while sitting by Al Mukalla’s seaside. A resident of the city who said he witnessed the drone strike that killed Mr. Wuhayshi on June 9 said that three militants – he did not recognize any of them at the time – got out of a black pickup truck and sat in a picnic area by the water. At sunset, the men went to pray at a nearby mosque. After prayers, the witness said he heard “two big, consecutive explosions.”
When he approached the scene of the explosions, he saw body parts, and “the upper part of a bearded and bloodstained man.” Armed men quickly arrived, telling bystanders to stay away in case of another strike. “Al Qaeda did not allow people to take photos of the scene, until an hour after the explosion,” he said.
As recently as Monday, though, American officials were saying that they were still investigating reports of Mr. Wuhayshi’s death, an indication of the murky nature of the Obama administration’s policy of using missile strikes to remotely kill people it believes to be militants, with little certainty about who the missiles have struck.
In the video statement, Mr. Batarfi said the militant group had been able to agree on the selection of Mr. Raimi as Mr. Wuhayshi’s successor despite the group’s many distractions, including fighting the Houthis and their allies “on more than 11 fronts.”In the video statement, Mr. Batarfi said the militant group had been able to agree on the selection of Mr. Raimi as Mr. Wuhayshi’s successor despite the group’s many distractions, including fighting the Houthis and their allies “on more than 11 fronts.”