Osama Bin Laden's successor killed in US drone strike
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
