Biden announces Al-Qaeda leader Zawahiri killed in drone strike; Saudi Arabia commend action
US President Joe Biden has announced the death of Al-Qaeda’s leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a US drone strike in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday — more than a decade after the group’s previous head Osama bin Laden was killed.
Biden said on Monday, “Now justice has been delivered, and this terrorist leader is no more. People around the world no longer need to fear the vicious and determined killer.” Biden said there were no civilian casualties.
The Egyptian-born Ayman al-Zawahiri was 71 years old. He joined Al-Qaeda in the late 1990s, managing its finances and establishing fundamental ideologies.
He was involved in the September 11 terror attacks, among others. He assumed leadership of Al-Qaeda after US forces killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.
In a statement, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that a strike took place and strongly condemned it, calling it a violation of “international principles.”
Al-Qaeda reportedly maintains close links with Taliban leaders in Afghanistan. Last year, the group posted a video of Ayman al-Zawahiri discussing the US withdrawal from the country.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has welcomed the US government’s announcement on the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that Ayman al-Zawahiri is “considered one of the leaders of terrorism that steered the planning and execution of heinous terrorist operations in the United States, Saudi Arabia and other countries
The ministry stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism.
By welcoming the latest news, Saudi Arabia apparently aims to deny the allegation once again.
