Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri killed by US drone strike in Afghanistan, Biden says | US News
Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has been killed by a US air strike in Afghanistan, US President Joe Biden has said.
Addressing the nation from a balcony outside the White House’s Blue Room, Mr Biden said “justice has been delivered” after allowing the attack that killed the man who was one of the masterminds of the terror attacks. 9/11.
“This terrorist leader is no more,” Biden added, before expressing hope the killing would bring “another measure of closure” to the families of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attack. September 11, 2001.
The president added that Afghanistan will “never become a safe haven for terrorists” after the attack was carried out nearly a year after the withdrawal of US troops from the country.
The Egyptian terrorist leader was standing on the balcony of a safe house in downtown Kabul on Sunday morning when he was killed by two hellish rockets launched from a drone.
Mr. Biden said no members of the 71-year-old’s family were injured and there were no civilian casualties.
“The United States continues to demonstrate our determination and ability to protect the American people from those who seek to harm us,” the president said.
“We make it clear again tonight that no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and get you out. “
Ayman al-Zawahiri, right, with Osama bin Laden in an image that appeared in November 2001
The FBI has provided $25 million (£20 million) for “information leading to the arrest or conviction” of the terrorist leader, whose death was the biggest blow to al Qaeda since its founder. Osama bin Laden was killed by US special forces in 2011.
According to a senior US administration official, the operation to kill al-Zawahiri was part of a plan that lasted many months.
Mr. Biden was first informed of a proposed operation to kill the al Qaeda leader on July 1 of this year.
But it was much earlier last year when intelligence suggested that his wife and children had moved to Kabul. He and his family are believed to have been in hiding in Pakistan up until that point.
The family was taken to a safe house, where al-Zawahiri was eventually discovered.
He was monitored for several months and his life pattern was recorded. He never left the house but did spend time on the balcony, where he was eventually killed.
Read more: From middle-class doctor to world’s most wanted man: Who is Ayman al-Zawahiri?
On July 25, a detailed proposal was presented to Mr. Biden, the administration official said, asking for “care at a level of detail” because of its focus on taking it “step by step… to minimize civilian casualties”.
Intelligence allowed the Americans to study the construction of the house to ensure that civilian casualties were avoided.
The official added that al-Zawahiri’s death was “a major blow to al Qaeda and will degrade its ability to operate”.
Richard Moore, head of the UK’s MI6 intelligence agency, said his thoughts were with the families of those killed by al-Zawahiri’s atrocities.
Mr. Moore tweeted: “Hard work expertly done by America’s allies. three decades.”
Saudi Arabia also welcomed Biden’s announcement.
“Zawahiri is regarded as one of the leaders of terrorism who commanded the planning and execution of heinous terrorist activities in the United States and Saudi Arabia,” state media reported, quoted a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that an attack took place and strongly condemned it, calling it a violation of “international principles”.
Speaking on August 31, 2021, after the last US troops left Afghanistan, Mr Biden said the US would not give up the war on terror in that country or anywhere else.
“We will maintain the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and other countries,” he said.
“We don’t have to fight on land to do that.”
Previewing the attack that would happen 11 months later, Mr Biden said at the time: “We have what’s called an over-the-horizon capability, which means we can attack terrorists and target without American support – or very little, if necessary.”
Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association and a 9/11 survivor, said in a statement: “While almost 21 years have passed since the tragedy of the Black Days, That night, the mention of these attacks still brings sadness to so many, including the families of 343 New York City firefighters who were brought in that day, and the families of 290 firefighters. New York City passed away from illness related to 9/11.
“This action by the United States is a reminder to every single terrorist involved in the plot of these attacks that the American people will never forget.”
