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Al Qaeda leader Zawahiri killed in US drone strike in downtown Kabul

Al Qaeda leader Zawahiri killed in US drone strike in downtown Kabul
August 2, 2022 Web Desk

KABUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a US drone strike in Afghanistan. The head of Al-Qaeda was targeted by the CIA in a drone attack in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. After the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011, Ayman al-Zawahiri took over the leadership of al-Qaeda.

US officials say Ayman al-Zawahiri was standing on the balcony of his home in Kabul when he was targeted in a drone attack. His family members were present in the same house but they were unharmed in the attack. No civilian was killed in the attack.

US President Joe Biden said in a short speech that after finding out the presence of Ayman al-Zawahiri, he allowed this operation. Ayman al-Zawahiri was involved in the planning of the 9/11 attacks and was Osama bin Laden's number two. Ayman al-Zawahiri was involved in operations against Americans for decades. Including the attack on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the US Navy in 2000. The US President again reiterated his commitment that Afghanistan will not be allowed to become a haven for terrorists again.

On the other hand, the Taliban spokesman has said that on Sunday, the US carried out a drone attack in Sherpur, a residential area of Kabul. In his tweet, Zabihullah Mujahid said that the nature of this incident was not known initially. Then an investigation by security and intelligence agencies revealed that it was a drone attack. He termed it as a clear violation of international norms and the Doha Agreement and said that such actions are against the interests of the US, Afghanistan and the region.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia welcomed the announcement of the death of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri by US President Joe Biden.The official news agency said in a statement regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Ayman al-Zawahiri planned terrorist acts in the United States and Saudi Arabia.