The United States has killed top Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike, multiple news outlets reported citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.
According to The New York Times, Zawahiri was killed while hiding out at the home of an Afghan government official and member of the Taliban.
The US government has not yet confirmed his death, but President Joe Biden will speak at 7:30 p.m. ET on “a successful counterterrorism operation” against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, CNN reported, citing a White House statement
“Over the weekend, the United States conducted a counterterrorism operation against a significant Al Qaeda target in Afghanistan. The operation was successful and there were no civilian casualties,” a senior administration official said.
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Zawahiri became one of the most pursued terrorists in the world after the slaying of Osama bin Laden, after he helped to mastermind the deadliest terror attack on American soil, when hijackers turned US airliners into missiles.
“Those 19 brothers who went out and gave their souls to Allah almighty, God almighty has granted them this victory we are enjoying now,” al-Zawahiri said in a videotaped message released months after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
