Ayman al-Zawahri

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The Story

The US has killed the leader of al-Qaeda.

Walk me through it.

Ayman al-Zawahri was a co-founder of the terror group. He first served as the deputy to Osama bin Laden during the 9/11 attacks and was deeply involved in planning them. Once bin Laden was killed in 2011, al-Zawahri took over as his successor. He was a mastermind behind the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole and played a key role in the 1998 attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. 

How did the US kill him?

Through a CIA drone strike, which took months to prepare. On Sunday local time, with the approval of President Biden, the CIA carried out the attack on al-Zawahri’s residence in Kabul, Afghanistan, while he was on the balcony. There were no civilian casualties, including any members of al-Zawahri’s family. But the attack in Kabul is raising questions about the Taliban.

Go on.

When the US pulled out of Afghanistan almost a year ago, it was with the understanding that the Taliban would not let terror groups operate there. But this was in downtown Kabul — hard for the Taliban to miss. The house al-Zawahri was staying in also happened to reportedly be owned by an aide to a Taliban senior leader. The Taliban has released a statement saying the group “strongly condemns” the drone strike. Meanwhile, Biden released a video statement of his own last night.

What did he say?

That “justice has been delivered.” Biden also thanked the “superb patriots” who serve in the US counterterrorism community. And warned that “no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out.”

내용 출처: theSkimm