"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," the statement said. "The United States, our interests, and our allies are safer as a result of his death. We will continue to protect the American people by tracking down and eliminating terrorists who seek to do us harm."

President Donald Trump had appeared to confirm a report by The New York Times — which first reported al-Rimi's death — on Saturday through a series of Twitter retweets.

Under al-Rimi, AQAP had plotted to commit terrorist attacks against the United States and Europe, though never successfully on American soil. Trump has made counter-terror strikes a cornerstone of his administration, often boasting about them to kick off his rallies.

Last year, U.S. forces successfully killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria. Trump has frequently touted the scale-back of ISIS operations in Iraq and Syria as a result of his administration's moves.

The U.S. and Iran also dramatically escalated tensions after Trump ordered the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani of the elite Quds force.