US Kills Long-Wanted Al Qaeda Leader In Drone Strike

CNN reports:

The United States killed al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

Zawahiri, who just turned 71 years old, had remained a visible international symbol of the group, 11 years after the US killed Osama Bin Laden. At one point, he acted as bin Laden’s personal physician.

The US State Department offered a reward of up to $25 million for information leading directly to the capture of Zawahiri.

The Associated Press reports:

President Biden on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. E.T. is expected to address the nation from the White House on the operation.

“Over the weekend, the United States conducted a counter terrorism operation against a significant Al Qaeda target in Afghanistan,” a senior administration official said Monday.

“The operation was successful and there were no civilian casualties.”

Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who played key role in 9/11 attacks, is killed in U.S. operation, officials say https://t.co/sxhqS95zA4

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 1, 2022