Nasir al-Wuhayshi

Nasir al-Wuhayshi was born on 1 October 1976 in the Mukayras region of what was then the Abyan Governorate of South Yemen but is now al-Bayda Governorate.{{Cite news |last=Shaheen |first=Kareem |date=2015-06-16 |title=US drone strike kills Yemen al-Qaida leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/16/yemen-al-qaida-leader-nasir-al-wuhayshi-killed-us-drone-strike |access-date=2025-03-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=Johnsen |first=Gregory D. |date=2012-07-24 |title=A Profile of AQAP’s Upper Echelon |url=https://ctc.westpoint.edu/a-profile-of-aqaps-upper-echelon/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Combating Terrorism Center at West Point |language=en-US}} Little is known about his early life in Abyan, though various Yemeni journalists state that he came from an ordinary family.{{Cite news |last=Worth |first=Robert F. |date=2010-07-07 |title=Is Yemen the Next Afghanistan? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/magazine/11Yemen-t.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324223910/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/magazine/11Yemen-t.html |archive-date=2022-03-24 |access-date=2025-03-02 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} He studied at a private religious institute in Yemen before graduating in 1998, and moved to Afghanistan in the months after Osama bin Laden's fatwa declaring war on the United States and Israel.{{cite web |date=2015-07-16 |title=Profile: Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11483095 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716014258/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11483095 |archive-date=2015-07-16 |access-date=2015-07-21 |website=BBC News}}

Wuhayshi joined al-Qaeda in 1998 and was made Bin Laden's personal secretary. He was described as being "nearly inseparable" from Bin Laden while he listened to his counsels and acted as correspondence for him. Gregory D. Johnsen described him as being "groomed by Osama bin Laden to take on a leadership role."{{Cite web |date=2013-08-06 |title=Qaeda leader’s edict to Yemen affiliate is said to prompt US alert |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/62437-qaeda-leaders-edict-to-yemen-affiliate-is-said-to-prompt-us-alert |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Geo News |language=en |agency=Agence France-Presse}} Along with lessons and conversations with Bin Laden, he also attended the al-Farouq training camp.{{Cite web |last=Johnsen |first=Gregory D. |date=2025-02-27 |title=Ignoring Yemen at Our Peril |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/10/31/ignoring-yemen-at-our-peril-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716215857/https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/10/31/ignoring-yemen-at-our-peril-2/ |archive-date=2015-07-16 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2015-06-16 |title=CIA drone strike targets top Qaeda leader in Yemen: report |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1188541/cia-drone-strike-targets-top-qaeda-leader-in-yemen-report |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Dawn |language=en |agency=Agence France-Presse}} Nasser al-Bahri, Bin Laden's former bodyguard, claims that Wuhayshi was selected to be in charge of the Tarnak Farms training camp, where he regularly saw Bin Laden and spent his mornings with him at his office in the compound where he planned attacks including the 1998 US embassy bombings and the September 11 attacks.{{Cite web |last=Naughton |first=Philippe |date=2015-06-16 |title=From bin Laden aide to al Qaeda No 2 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/from-bin-laden-aide-to-al-qaeda-no-2-m75c85kpfw3?region=global |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318232749/https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/from-bin-laden-aide-to-al-qaeda-no-2-m75c85kpfw3?region=global |archive-date=2025-03-18 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=The Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Austerlitz |first=Saul |date=2013-08-14 |title=Newsmaker: Nasir Al Wuhayshi |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/newsmaker-nasir-al-wuhayshi-1.296682/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606125457/https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/newsmaker-nasir-al-wuhayshi-1.296682/ |archive-date=2023-06-06 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=The National |language=en}} Wuhayshi has been said to have modeled himself and his demeanour based on Bin Laden.

Wuhayshi stuck alongside Bin Laden during the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. A journalist recalls a story told to him by AQAP fighters where "during bombing raids, everyone else would scatter, but he [Wuhayshi] would stay by Bin Laden's side". Wuhayshi was among the few al-Qaeda members chosen by Bin Laden to accompany him during his escape to the Tora Bora cave complex.{{Cite news |last=Zerrouky |first=Madjid |date=2015-06-16 |title=Nasser Al-Wahishi, le secrétaire particulier de Ben Laden devenu chef d’AQPA |trans-title=Nasser Al-Wahishi, Bin Laden's private secretary who became head of AQAP |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2015/06/16/la-mort-de-nasser-al-wahaychi-chef-d-aqpa_4655434_3218.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Le Monde |language=fr |trans-quote=In 2001, as Washington intervened and pursued the network in Afghanistan, he accompanied the leader on his escape: "During this journey to the Tora Bora caves, where he faced twelve days of American bombardment, Bin Laden was surrounded by only a limited number of followers in order to minimize the risk of being detected," Al-Bahri recounts. An "epic" that AQAP did not fail to recall in its ten-minute eulogy posted online on Tuesday, June 16.}} He fought at the Battle of Tora Bora until Bin Laden escaped to Pakistan and he was separated from the rest of al-Qaeda as the group scattered.{{Cite web |date=2015-06-16 |title=Nasir al-Wuhayshi, head of Yemen al-Qaeda, killed in U.S. airstrike |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/nasir-al-wuhayshi-head-of-yemen-al-qaeda-killed-in-u-s-airstrike-1.3115022 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=CBC News |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |last=Browning |first=Noah |last2=Ghobari |first2=Mohammed |date=2015-06-16 |title=Al Qaeda deputy leader killed in U.S. bombing in Yemen |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/al-qaeda-deputy-leader-killed-in-u-s-bombing-in-yemen-idUSKBN0OW0FG/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Reuters}} After the fall of the Taliban emirate, Wuhayshi fled to Iran, where he was subsequently arrested by authorities.

Wuhayshi was extradited from Iran to Yemen in 2003, and was held for years without charge. Yemeni authorities, reportedly unaware of his close connections to Bin Laden, held Wuhayshi in the general prison population of a maximum-security prison in Sanaa, where he became a spiritual leader among his fellow militant inmates.{{Cite web |last=Higgins |first=Michael |date=2013-08-09 |title=How a 36-year-old built al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula into a feared terrorist group in just a few short years |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/world/israel-middle-east/how-a-36-year-old-managed-to-build-al-qaeda-in-the-arabian-peninsula-into-a-feared-terrorist-group |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=National Post}} On 3 February 2006, Wuhayshi was among the group of 23 al-Qaeda suspects who escaped from the prison by digging a tunnel to the women's bathroom of a nearby mosque.{{Cite news |last=Londoño |first=Ernesto |date=2013-08-06 |title=Terrorism alert highlights potent threat posed by al-Qaeda’s Yemen affiliate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/terrorism-alert-highlights-potent-threat-posed-by-al-qaedas-yemen-affiliate/2013/08/06/9a5afab8-fee2-11e2-96a8-d3b921c0924a_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510122357/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/terrorism-alert-highlights-potent-threat-posed-by-al-qaedas-yemen-affiliate/2013/08/06/9a5afab8-fee2-11e2-96a8-d3b921c0924a_story.html |archive-date=2015-05-10 |access-date=2025-03-18 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} Alongside fellow escapee Qasim al-Raymi, Wuhayshi worked to rebuild al-Qaeda in Yemen throughout the following years, utilizing their past experience as al-Qaeda members and connections with veteran militants such as Jamal al-Badawi, a USS Cole bombing plotter who escaped alongside them.{{Cite web |date=2008-04-22 |title=Yemen: Al Qaeda's Resurgence |url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/yemen-al-qaedas-resurgence |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210429003758/https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/yemen-al-qaedas-resurgence |archive-date=29 April 2021 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Stratfor}}

Much of Wuhayshi's reputation among the "second generation" of jihadists in Yemen and al-Qaeda in general came from his association with Bin Laden.{{Cite web |last=Johnsen |first=Gregory D. |date=2008-03-18 |title=Al-Qaeda in Yemen Reorganizes under Nasir al-Wahayshi |url=https://jamestown.org/brief/al-qaeda-in-yemen-reorganizes-under-nasir-al-wahayshi/#! |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=The Jamestown Foundation |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Boghani |first=Priyanka |date=2015-06-16 |title=Has the U.S. Killed the Most Important Al Qaeda Member Since Bin Laden? |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/has-the-u-s-killed-the-most-important-al-qaeda-member-since-bin-laden/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Frontline |language=en-US}} Wuhayshi "used Bin Laden’s blueprint from Afghanistan", according to an analyst, in order to rebuild the group in a manner which would allow it to withstand the loss of key leaders, which had previously led to its destruction in 2002 after the killing of Abu Ali al-Harithi, and maintain popular support. To do this, he sought to avoid the mistakes which led to the downfall of other al-Qaeda affiliates in Iraq and Saudi Arabia by limiting Muslim civilian casualties in attacks and providing clear rationales for what the group considered legitimate targets.{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Azmat |date=2012-05-29 |title=Understanding Yemen's Al Qaeda Threat |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/understanding-yemens-al-qaeda-threat/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Frontline |publisher=PBS |language=en-US}}

AQY launched its first attack since regroup, a double-suicide car bombing on two oil facilities, on 15 September 2006.{{Cite web |date=2007-08-09 |title=Qaeda claims Yemen oil attacks, vows more strikes |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/qaeda-claims-yemen-oil-attacks-vows-more-strikes-idUSL07497486/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=Reuters}} On 21 June 2007, Wuhayshi was officially appointed the leader of AQY in a statement posted by the group online.{{Cite web |last=Johnsen |first=Gregory D. |date=2007-07-10 |title=Yemen Attack Reveals Struggle Among Al-Qaeda's Ranks |url=https://jamestown.org/program/yemen-attack-reveals-struggle-among-al-qaedas-ranks/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=The Jamestown Foundation |language=en-US}} On 2 July 2007, AQY directed a suicide car bombing on a Spanish tourist convoy in Marib, killing eight. Wuhayshi along with Raymi were accused of masterminding both attacks, and were sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison for their role in them.{{Cite web |last=Al-Mahdi |first=Khaled |date=2007-11-08 |title=Yemeni Court Jails 32 Over Attacks |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/305399 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Arab News |language=en}} Wuhayshi personally authorized the creation of Sada al-Malahem, AQY's jihadist e-magazine, and gave his permission to Nayif Muhammad al-Qahtani for him to produce it.{{Cite web |last=Johnsen |first=Gregory |date=2010-12-21 |title=AQAP: Propaganda and Recruiting in Yemen |url=https://bigthink.com/guest-thinkers/aqap-propaganda-and-recruiting-in-yemen/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Big Think |language=en-US}} The group renamed itself to al-Qaeda in the Southern Arabian Peninsula (AQSAP) in the second issue of Sada al-Malahem released on 13 March 2008, in which Wuhayshi wrote "Jihad is a religious duty that God has made incumbent." On 17 September 2008, AQSAP launched an attack on the US embassy in Sanaa, killing 16 in what was labeled the groups most sophisticated attack in years.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2008-09-17 |title=Yemen's Jihadis Raise Their Game With Embassy Attacks |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=5827535&page=1 |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=ABC News |language=en}} In November 2008, al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri publicly recognized Wuhayshi as the leader of al-Qaeda in the region.{{Cite news |last=Kurczy |first=Stephen |date=2010-11-02 |title=Five key members of Al Qaeda in Yemen (AQAP) |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/1102/Five-key-members-of-Al-Qaeda-in-Yemen-AQAP/Nasir-al-Wuhayshi-head-of-AQAP |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229124625/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/1102/Five-key-members-of-Al-Qaeda-in-Yemen-AQAP/Nasir-al-Wuhayshi-head-of-AQAP |archive-date=2024-02-29 |access-date=2025-03-15 |work=Christian Science Monitor |issn=0882-7729}}

In January 2009, the al-Qaeda branches in Yemen and Saudi Arabia merged and formed al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Ayman Al-Zawahiri confirmed al-Wuhayshi's appointment as leader of AQAP in a video posted online.{{cite news |title=Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=29 December 2009 |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/12/2009122935812371810.html |access-date=30 December 2009 |archive-date=4 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904094740/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/12/2009122935812371810.html |url-status=live }}

Nasir al-Wuhayshi and three other men appeared in several threatening videos released in January 2009.

{{cite news

|url = https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZfIcWnHqBz4kQR90lC_pXaHeW4Q

|title = Two ex-Guantanamo inmates appear in Al-Qaeda video

|agency = Agence France-Presse

|date = 25 January 2009

|access-date = 26 January 2009

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090130090803/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZfIcWnHqBz4kQR90lC_pXaHeW4Q

|archive-date = 30 January 2009

|df = dmy-all

}}

Al Wuhayshi published an additional video calling for violence in February.

{{cite news

|url = https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jyZ4yhVqAu5yqaNFXVY9748IMsNwD96EKC980

|title = New al-Qaida message urges Yemenis to fight gov't

|agency = Associated Press

|date = 19 February 2009

|access-date = 5 April 2009

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://archive.today/20240524083659/https://www.webcitation.org/5f3ckFB4u?url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jyZ4yhVqAu5yqaNFXVY9748IMsNwD96EKC980

|archive-date = 24 May 2024

|df = dmy-all

}}

He claimed the increase in western warships off the Horn of Africa to fight piracy were really intended to oppress Islam.

{{cite news

|url = http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/256566,al-qaeda-leader-urges-yemeni-tribes-to-rise-up-against-government.html

|title = Al-Qaeda leader urges Yemeni tribes to rise up against government

|work = Earth Times

|date = 19 February 2009

|access-date = 5 March 2009

|quote = In an audiotape posted on Islamist web sites, al-Wahishi linked the clampdown on Jihadists in five desert provinces to the deployment of Western navy forces in the Gulf of Aden to fight piracy. "The parties have gathered in the land of faith and wisdom. French, British and Western crusaders, have come to the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden to surround the Island of Islam (Arabian Peninsula) from the sea," al-Wahishi said.

|url-status = live

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120825183932/http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/256566,al-qaeda-leader-urges-yemeni-tribes-to-rise-up-against-government.html

|archive-date = 25 August 2012

|df = dmy-all

}}

On 10 May 2011, AQAP published a eulogy written by Wuhayshi for Bin Laden more than a week after his killing, in which he vowed more attacks against the US.{{Cite web |date=2011-05-11 |title=Yemeni al-Qaeda vows attacks after bin Laden death |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/yemeni-al-qaeda-vows-attacks-after-bin-laden-death-1.1021909 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=CBC News |agency=Associated Press}}

According to Yemeni military officials he was killed in southern Yemen on 28 August 2011.{{cite web | url = http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/08/aqap_chief_nasir_al.php | title = AQAP chief Nasir al Wuhayshi reported killed in southern Yemen | access-date = 30 August 2011 | last = Roggio | first = Bill | date = 28 August 2011 | work = The Long War Journal | publisher = Public Multimedia Inc. | archive-date = 20 September 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160920193330/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/08/aqap_chief_nasir_al.php | url-status = live }}

On 25 October 2011, AQAP denied that he was killed.{{cite news | last=Roggio | first=Bill | url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/10/aqap_denies_emir_nas.php | title=AQAP denies emir Nasir al Wuhayshi killed in US airstrike | date=26 October 2011 | publisher=longwarjournal.org | access-date=11 October 2012 | archive-date=20 September 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920202410/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/10/aqap_denies_emir_nas.php | url-status=live }}

On 6 December, al-Wuhayshi released a statement on jihadist websites that AQAP would be intervening in the Siege of Dammaj on the side of Salafi students fighting the Shi'a Houthi militia.{{cite web | url=http://www.criticalthreats.org/gulf-aden-security-review/gulf-aden-security-review-december-6-2011#_edn3 | title=Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 6, 2011 | publisher=criticalthreats.org | access-date=11 October 2012 | archive-date=12 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212165053/http://www.criticalthreats.org/gulf-aden-security-review/gulf-aden-security-review-december-6-2011#_edn3 | url-status=live }} A member of a local tribe reported on 22 December that Abdel al-Wuhashi, a younger brother of Nasir, was killed by Yemeni military forces.{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2011-12-22/yemen-al-qaeda-killing/52156188/1 | work=USA Today | title=Most Popular E-mail Newsletter | date=22 December 2011 | access-date=5 September 2017 | archive-date=5 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305101751/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2011-12-22/yemen-al-qaeda-killing/52156188/1 | url-status=live }}

In 2013, Al-Qaeda Emir Ayman al-Zawahiri appointed al-Wuhayshi as his deputy, speculating that he may be the next Emir of Al-Qaeda.{{cite web

| title = Rewards for Justice – Reward Offers for Information on Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Leaders

| url = https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/01/135364.htm

| date = 19 January 2010

| access-date = December 5, 2014

| archive-date = 3 April 2021

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210403085455/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/01/135364.htm

| url-status = live

}}{{cite web

| title = Al Qaeda leaders 'wanted to do something big' on Muslim holiday, sources say

| website = NBC News

| date = 5 August 2013

| url = https://www.nbcnews.com/news/other/al-qaeda-leaders-wanted-do-something-big-muslim-holiday-sources-f6C10850404

| access-date = December 5, 2014

| archive-date = 14 August 2022

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220814001507/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/other/al-qaeda-leaders-wanted-do-something-big-muslim-holiday-sources-f6C10850404

| url-status = live

}}

In March 2014, al-Wuhayshi made an appearance in a video celebrating the mass jailbreak of fighters held in Yemeni prisons. Around 400 AQAP fighters were present in what was described as being the largest known gathering of al-Qaeda in Yemen. In the video, al-Wuhayshi declared, "We have to remove the Cross, and the bearer of the Cross, America."{{cite web| title = Al Qaeda's Second-In-Command Vows To Strike America In New Video| website = Business Insider| url = https://www.businessinsider.com/yara-bayoumy-al-qaeda-vows-to-strike-america-in-new-video-2014-4| access-date = December 5, 2014| archive-date = 7 December 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141207221600/http://www.businessinsider.com.au/yara-bayoumy-al-qaeda-vows-to-strike-america-in-new-video-2014-4| url-status = live}}

Al-Wuhayshi was killed in a US drone strike in Yemen on 12 June 2015. AQAP released a statement acknowledging his death several days later and announced Qasim al-Raymi as his successor.

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Al-Qaeda}}

{{Militant Islamism in the Middle East}}

{{War on Terrorism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wuhayshi, Nasir}}

Category:1976 births

Category:2015 deaths

Category:Assassinated al-Qaeda leaders

Category:Al-Qaeda leaders

Category:Deaths by American drone strikes in Yemen

Category:Fugitives

Category:Individuals designated as terrorists by the United States government

Category:Leaders of jihadist groups

Category:Individuals designated as suspected terrorists by the Saudi Arabian government

Category:People from Al Bayda Governorate

Category:People killed in the Yemeni civil war (2014–present)

Category:Yemeni al-Qaeda members

Category:Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula