Trump says US raid in Yemen neutralized al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula leader Qassim al-Raymi
The commander of al-Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Qassim al-Raymi, was killed in a counter-terrorism raid in Yemen, US President Donald Trump has stated.
“Under Rimi, AQAP committed unconscionable violence against civilians in Yemen and sought to conduct and inspire numerous attacks against the United States and our forces,” the president said in a statement on Thursday.
His death further degrades AQAP and the global al-Qa’ida movement, and it brings us closer to eliminating the threats these groups pose to our national security.
White House confirmation about the targeted killing of Qassim al-Rimi, leader of AQAP. pic.twitter.com/fzE6aAn7ZL
— Vivian Salama (@vmsalama) February 6, 2020
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Though President Trump did not clarify when the operation was carried out, unconfirmed reports about al-Raymi’s death emerged earlier this week, with some suggesting the terrorist leader was killed in a US drone strike.
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Trump says US raid in Yemen neutralized al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula leader Qassim al-Raymi