Former Al-Qaeda’s No. 2 Figure Killed in US Strike in Yemen

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

CAIRO—A U.S. airstrike has killed Al-Qaeda’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 ISIS for the mantle of global jihad.

The US activity against al-Qaeda is also not limited to Yemen.