Key al-Qaida leader killed in US raid

Video statement confirms death that strikes a significant blow to the world terror network

Al-Qaida confirmed on Tuesday that Nasir al-Wahishi, its No 2 figure and leader of its powerful Yemeni affiliate, was killed in a US strike, making it the harshest blow to the global militant network since the killing of Osama bin Laden.

In a video statement released by the media wing of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, as the Yemeni affiliate is known, a senior operative read a statement announcing the death of al-Wahishi, who once served as bin Laden's personal secretary, and said his deputy, Qassim al-Raimi, is expected to replace him.