Osama bin Laden’s son Hamza killed: reports

WASHINGTON (Web Desk/Reuters) – Osama bin Laden’s son Hamza, chosen heir to the leadership of Al-Qaeda, has been killed, US media reported, citing American officials. According to the NBC News, three US officials had confirmed they had information of Hamza bin Laden’s death, but gave no details of the place or date. The ‘New York Times’ subsequently cited two US officials saying they had confirmation that he was killed during the last two years in an operation that involved the United States. Questioned by reporters in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump did not confirm or deny the NBC report. “I don't want to comment on it,” he said. Reuter agency stated that The US believes that Hamza bin Laden, a son of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, is dead, a US official said. The US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, provided no further details, including when Hamza died or where. Separately, the White House declined comment on whether any announcement was imminent. Hamza, believed to be about 30 years old, was at his father’s side in Afghanistan before the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US. Hamza was thought to be under house arrest in Iran at the time, and documents recovered from the compound indicated that aides had been trying to reunite him with his father. The New York Times reported that the United States had a role in the operation that led to Hamza’s death, which it said took place in the past two years. Reuters could not immediately verify those details. Still, the US government’s conclusion appears to be a recent one. In February, the State Department said it was offering here a reward of up to $1 million (822,571.36 pounds) for information leading to the identification or location in any country of Hamza, calling him a key al Qaeda leader. In March, Saudi Arabia announced it had stripped Hamza bin Laden of his citizenship, saying the decision was made by a royal order in November 2018.