Al-Qaeda in Yemen has confirmed the death of its leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi, number two in the global jihadist organisation, in a US drone strike, in a video statement posted online.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said Wuhayshi "was killed in a US drone attack that targeted him along with two other mujahedeen," said the statement posted online by Al-Qaeda's Al-Malahem media arm and dated June 15.