Osama Bin Laden’s successor killed in US drone strike

Dave Hanratty

Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda, has been killed.

Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda who took over following the assassination of Osama Bin Laden, has been killed following an operation carried out by American forces.

Al-Zawahiri, who took charge of al-Qaeda in 2011, served as Bin Laden’s deputy and oversaw the terrorist attacks that took place on American soil on 9/11.

Speaking to the Washington Post, US security officials – who spoke on the condition of anonymity – confirmed the death of al-Zawahiri via a Central Intelligence Agency-ordered drone strike that took place in Kabul over the weekend.

In an address on Monday evening, US President Joe Biden said that “justice” had been realised.

“On Saturday, at my direction, the United States successfully conducted an airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan that killed the emir of al-Qaeda; Ayman al-Zawahiri. Justice has been delivered,” said Biden.

“The United States continues to demonstrate our resolve and our capacity to defend the American people against those who seek to do us harm,” Biden added.

“Tonight we made clear – no matter how long it takes, no matter where you try to hide, we will find you.”

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 United States continues to demonstrate our resolve and our capacity to defend the American people against those who seek to do us harm.

Tonight we made clear:

No matter how long it takes.
No matter where you try to hide.
We will find you.

— President Biden (@POTUS) August 2, 2022

The airstrike represents the first American military assault on Afghanistan since troops withdrew from the country.

According to the Washington Post, al-Zawahiri was killed after he stepped onto the balcony of a safe house in Kabul, where he had been residing with members of his family. No other casualties have been reported.

Two missiles in total were fired. Al-Zawahiri reportedly had a $25 million bounty on his head. Senior US security officials had been working on the specific operation since early April.

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