Al-Qaida Confirms US Strike Killed Leader of Yemen Affiliate

A U.S. airstrike has killed Al-Qaida's No. 2 leader, who commanded its powerful Yemeni affiliate, dealing the global network its biggest blow since the killing of Osama bin Laden and eliminating a charismatic leader at a time when it is vying with the Islamic State group for the mantle of global jihad.
In a video statement dated June 14 and released Tuesday by the Yemeni affiliate, a senior operative announced the death of Nasir al-Wahishi, a veteran jihadi who once served as bin Laden's aide-de-camp, and said his deputy, Qassim al-Raimi, has been tapped to replace him.
Khaled Batrafi said in the video, "Our Muslim nation, a hero of your heroes and a master of your masters left to God, steadfast." Batrafi also vowed that the group's war on America would continue.