Ayman al-Zawahri in a 2006 image. He was wanted by the United States. AP photo
The United States found and killed the Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri, in a “successful” counter-terrorism operation. The US media reported on Monday, citing intelligence sources.
It happened in a Attack with CIA drones in Afghanistan. Official sources cited indicated that there were no civilian casualties.
Ayman al-Zawahri has been a historical leader of the Al Qaeda organization and the greatest exponent of the terrorist group since the death of Osama Bin Laden.
According to the AP news agency, the Joe Biden government knew of the death from Sundaybut he was delayed in releasing the information until he could confirm his death.
White House officials initially refused to confirm Al Zawahri’s killing, but said in a statement that “the United States has conducted a counter-terrorism operation against an important goal of Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. The operation was successful and there were no civilian casualties. ”
As reported by the Fox News network, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Marco Milleyhad warned that last month’s September lawmakers that terrorist groups like Al Qaeda could grow much faster after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The Secretary of Defense, Lloyd AustinHe then said that the goal of US military efforts in Afghanistan would be to fight “against terrorist threats, not against the Taliban“.
Austin said the US will “watch” Al Qaeda, an extremist network whose use of Afghanistan as a haven for plotting 9/11 attacks against the US was the reason US forces invaded that country in 2001.
A photo of Ayman al-Zawahri from 1998, we remember another next to the terrorist leader Osama bin Laden who was also murdered by the United States in Afghanistan. AP photo
Ayman Al Zawahri appeared in a video last year to commemorate the 20 years after the 9/11 attacksdespite rumors that he had died months ago.
He was appointed as Osama Bin Laden’s successor in June 2011, a month after the terrorist leader was killed by US forces in Pakistan.
Waiting for Joe Biden’s word
Joe Biden will give a speech after the “successful operation” against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. AP photo
US President Joe Biden is expected to release more details on the operation in a speech Monday night.
According to the US government, the goal was successfully achieved and there were no civilian casualties.
Biden will speak from the balcony of the Blue Room of the White House, in a message that will be broadcast on television.
DS
Source: Clarin
