US Strike Kills Al Qaeda's No. 2 Leader in Yemen

Nasir al-Wahishi, al Qaeda's No. 2 leader in Yemen, was killed in a U.S. airstrike. The terror organization confirmed his death in a video statement overnight.

"Our Muslim nation, a hero of your heroes and a master of your masters left to God, steadfast," senior al Qaeda operative Khaled Batrafi said in the video.

"In the name of God, the blood of these pioneers makes us more determined to sacrifice," he said. "Let the enemies know that the battle is not with an individual... the battle led by crusaders and their agents is colliding with a billion-member nation."

The terrorist group also announced al-Wahishi's deputy would now assume his role.

The death of the veteran jihadi is considered the harshest blow to al Qaeda since Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011. He once served as bin Laden's personal secretary.

Al-Wahishi's demise is the latest in a series of targeted attacks on the Yemen affiliate's top leaders.