Wahishi’s Death

Al-Qa’ida’s number two, Nasir Wahishi, is believed to have died in a drone strike in southern Yemen last month. He ran one of the most technologically sophisticated terror organizations in history – Al-Qai’da in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). His operatives plotted attacks using bombs hidden in printer cartridges, a man’s underwear and there was even one inserted inside the body of one operative.  The group pioneered non-metallic explosives that can slip through airport security. The 38-year-old Yemeni presided over an operation that was essentially the research and development division of core al-Qa’ida. He was so valuable that he was appointed deputy to al-Qa’ida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. He was in effect al-Qa’ida’s emir in waiting.

Wahishi to some was terrorist royalty.

Access all of The Cipher Brief’s national security-focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher Brief Subscriber+ Member.

Sign Up Log In


Related Articles

Search

Close