U.S. Kills Abu Yahya al-Libi, al Qaeda's No. 2 Operative

This is good news.

At the Wall Street Journal, "CIA Kills al Qaeda's No. 2: Senior Terrorist Official Dies in Drone Strike in Pakistan, U.S. Says, Citing New Blow to Organization":

WASHINGTON — The militant considered to be the No. 2 leader of al Qaeda was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

Abu Yahya al-Libi was seen as al Qaeda's most versatile leader, and his death on Monday was the latest setback for a group that U.S. officials say is reeling from recent losses.

The operation that killed Mr. Libi also showed the U.S. has maintained its intelligence capacity in Pakistan amid tension with the Pakistani government and despite enhanced security measures that al Qaeda has taken in the wake of the raid that killed its leader, Osama bin Laden, a year ago.

The attack was the latest in a rapid succession of Central Intelligence Agency drone strikes in recent weeks, after attacks slowed in the wake of the accidental killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers by U.S. helicopters at a post at the Afghan border in November. There have been 22 strikes reported so far this year, according to the New America Foundation, which tracks them.

Yep. Good news, but again the progs are unhappy. See Firedoglake, "How Coverage of Obama’s Role in Drone Executions Provokes Liberal Outrage."