According to a recent report following the killing of Nasser al-Wuhayshi, the number two man in al-Qaeda, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States was not aware in advance that he was among those targeted by a drone strike. U.S. officials told the Washington Post that they were conducting operations under the counter-terrorism guidelines established during Barack Obama's presidency. This operation was facilitated by the collapse of the U.S.-backed government in Yemen in recent months. U.S. officials stated that al-Wuhayshi was killed in a 'permissible strike,' which allows the CIA to attack suspected militants without prior knowledge of the identities of those who may be killed. The death of the leader of 'al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula' is considered a 'significant blow' to the network, which is responsible for killing hundreds of Yemenis and for international attacks such as the assault on Charlie Hebdo in Paris. The Washington Post notes that the disclosure indicates the CIA continues its controversial methods of targeting suspects, a practice that the U.S. government has implemented, particularly in Yemen, and which, according to U.S. officials, has more precise rules for the use of lethal weapons compared to Pakistan. The newspaper reports that the CIA and the U.S. Special Operations Command have conducted at least ten strikes in Yemen since January. According to information released by the New America Foundation, this year's attacks have already matched the total number of attacks from last year. Human rights organizations have criticized these attacks. The CIA has refrained from commenting on al-Wuhayshi's death or providing details about the drone operations in Yemen. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have stated that there is no comprehensive prohibition on conducting 'permissible strikes' in Yemen. They emphasized that another White House guideline, known as 'near certainty,' remains in place to target suspects while preventing harm to civilians.
CIA Did Not Know in Advance That al-Wuhayshi Would Be Targeted
The CIA was unaware that Nasser al-Wuhayshi, al-Qaeda's number two, would be targeted in a drone strike. His death is seen as a significant blow to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which has been responsible for numerous attacks. This incident highlights the ongoing controversial practices of the U.S. in conducting drone strikes in Yemen.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The CIA was not aware that Nasser al-Wuhayshi was targeted in a drone strike that resulted in his death, marking a significant blow to al-Qaeda. This operation was conducted under existing counter-terrorism guidelines.
- Al-Wuhayshi was killed in a drone strike in Yemen, which U.S. officials deemed a 'permissible strike.'
- The CIA has conducted at least ten drone strikes in Yemen since January, matching the total number from the previous year.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has been responsible for numerous attacks, making it a significant threat to both regional and international security. The U.S. has been conducting drone strikes in Yemen as part of its counter-terrorism strategy.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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