Kabul, 2 August 2022 (TDI): The United States killed the leader of Al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, in a US drone strike in the Afghan capital, Kabul. The US President, Joseph Biden, confirmed the killing of Al-Qaeda’s leader through his statement on Twitter.
On Saturday, at my direction, the United States successfully conducted an airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan that killed the emir of al-Qa’ida: Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Justice has been delivered.
— President Biden (@POTUS) August 1, 2022
The US intelligence agency, the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) killed Al-Zawahiri, in a counter-terrorism operation in Kabul.
Background
Both Al-Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden are said to be the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks against the US. Previously under a peace deal with the US, the Taliban had agreed not to allow al-Qaeda or any other extremist group to operate in areas under their control.
The killing of Zawahiri comes nearly a year after US troops completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan. Last year’s withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan ended a 20-year military presence there.
Al-Zawahiri became the leader of Al-Qaeda after the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011.
Comments by US President
US President Biden said Zawahiri had “carved a trail of murder and violence against American citizens”.
“Since the United States delivered justice to bin Laden 11 years ago, Zawahiri has been a leader of al-Qaeda,” Mr. Biden said.
“From hiding, he co-ordinated al-Qaeda’s branches and all around the world, including setting priorities for providing operational guidance and calling for and inspired attacks against US targets.”
“Now justice has been delivered and this terrorist leader is no more,” he added.
Response by the Taliban
In a statement, the Taliban spokesman confirmed that a strike took place and strongly condemned it. Per the issued statement, the spokesman also called the drone strike a violation of “international principles.”
Statement of the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate regarding the drone attack in Kabul cityhttps://t.co/WWQC4iMo4a pic.twitter.com/hobpGFMiRl
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) August 2, 2022
As per the reports, Zawahiri was on the balcony of a safe house when the drone killed him. Other family members were also said to be present in a safe house but remained unharmed.
The drone attack is the first known US strike inside Afghanistan since US troops left the country in August 2021.
