US hails 'death' of al-Qaeda chief Mustafa Abu al-Yazid
WASHINGTON. June 2. KAZINFORM The White House has said it "welcomes the demise" of al-Qaeda number three and Afghan operations chief Mustafa Abu al-Yazid; Kazinform refers to BBC News.
US officials say they believe he was killed recently in the tribal areas of Pakistan in an American drone attack.
Mr Yazid, also known as Sheikh Said al-Masri, died along with his wife and three children, Islamist websites said, quoting a statement from al-Qaeda.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said it was "a severe blow" to al-Qaeda.
Mr Gibbs said Mr Yazid was one of the biggest targets to have been killed or captured in five years.
American officials often refer to the Egyptian-born militant as the main conduit to al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.
As al-Qaeda's operational commander in Afghanistan, Mr Yazid is believed to have had a hand in everything from finances to operational planning; Kazinform cites BBC News.