Today News: Zawahiri

‏إظهار الرسائل ذات التسميات Zawahiri. إظهار كافة الرسائل

US warns of Al Qaeda retaliation against Americans after Zawahiri killing

Fast News

Washington cautions Americans travelling abroad that militants could try to avenge Al Qaeda chief Ayman al Zawahiri's killing by launching suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.

Zawahiri's (R) death is touted to strike a major blow to Al Qaeda since the killing of its co-founder Osama bin Laden (L) in 2011. (AFP)

The United States has warned Americans travelling abroad they face an increased risk of violence after the US announced the killing of Al Qaeda chief Ayman al Zawahiri.

His killing in a drone strike in Kabul over the weekend dealt the biggest blow to Al Qaeda since the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011, prompting US President Joe Biden to declare that "justice had been delivered."

Following the strike, the US State Department on Tuesday urged US citizens to "maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness when traveling abroad."

"Current information suggests that terrorist organisations continue to plan terrorist attacks against US interests in multiple regions across the globe," the department said in a statement.

"These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings."

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IveQR9Na83k[/embed]

Taliban condemns strike

A senior official in the Biden administration said the 71-year-old Zawahiri was on the balcony of a three-story house in the Afghan capital when targeted with two Hellfire missiles after dawn Sunday.

It was the first known over-the-horizon strike by the United States on a target in Afghanistan since Washington withdrew its forces from the country on August 31 last year, days after the Taliban swept back to power.

The Taliban condemned the drone strike on Tuesday, but made no mention of casualties nor did they name Zawahiri.

Source: AFP

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/us-warns-of-al-qaeda-retaliation-against-americans-after-zawahiri-killing/?feed_id=5853&_unique_id=62e9d6f040ef9

Pakistan stands by counter-terrorism, FO comments on killing of Al-Qaeda's Zawahiri

The front facade of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Islamabad. — Radio Pakistan/File

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said that Pakistan stands by counter-terrorism efforts in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

The statement from the Foreign Ministry came after the killing of Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a CIA drone strike in Afghanistan.

Addressing media queries regarding the crucial development, the ministry’s spokesperson said that Pakistan’s role and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism are well-known.

“Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the statement read.

The statement further added that they have seen the official statements by the United States and media reports regarding a counter-terrorism operation carried out by the US in Afghanistan.

After the incident yesterday, President Joe Biden announced that the United States had killed Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, one of the world's most-wanted terrorists and suspected mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

In a televised address, Biden said the strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, had been carried out on Saturday. "I gave the final approval to go get him," he said, adding that there had been no civilian casualties.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/pakistan-stands-by-counter-terrorism-fo-comments-on-killing-of-al-qaedas-zawahiri/?feed_id=5776&_unique_id=62e98f01021e5

US kills top Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri

Biden said US intelligence officials tracked Zawahiri to a home in downtown Kabul where he was hiding out with his family.

This frame grab shows Al Qaeda's leader Ayman al Zawahiri in a video issued Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006. (AP)

President Joe Biden has announced that Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri was killed in a US drone strike in Kabul, an operation he said delivered justice and hopefully “one more measure of closure” to families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

The president said on Monday's evening address from the White House that US intelligence officials tracked Zawahiri to a home in downtown Kabul where he was hiding out with his family.

Zawahiri and the better-known Osama bin Laden plotted the 9/11 attacks that brought many ordinary Americans their first knowledge of Al Qaeda.

Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011, in an operation carried out by US Navy SEALs after a nearly decade-long hunt.

As for Zawahiri, Biden said, “He will never again, never again, allow Afghanistan to become a terrorist safe haven because he is gone and we’re going to make sure that nothing else happens.”

“This terrorist leader is no more,” he added.

The operation is a significant counterterrorism win for the Biden administration just 11 months after American troops left the country after a two-decade war.

“If you are a threat to our people, the US will find you and take you out."
US President Joe Biden announces the killing of top Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri pic.twitter.com/xyuyeh8DpR
— TRT World (@trtworld) August 2, 2022

CIA's drone strike

The strike was carried out by the CIA, according to five people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. Neither Biden nor the White House detailed the CIA's involvement in the strike.

Biden, however, paid tribute to the US intelligence community in his remarks, noting that “thanks to their extraordinary persistence and skill” the operation was a success.

Zawahiri's death eliminates the figure who more than anyone shaped Al Qaeda, first as bin Laden’s deputy since 1998, then as his successor.

Together, he and bin Laden turned the movement’s guns to target the United States, carrying out the deadliest attack ever on American soil — the Sept. 11 suicide hijackings.

The house Zawahiri was in when he was killed was owned by a top aide to senior Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, according to a senior intelligence official. The official also added that a CIA ground team and aerial reconnaissance conducted after the drone strike confirmed Zawahiri’s death.

A senior administration official who briefed reporters on the operation on condition of anonymity said “zero” US personnel were in Kabul.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rbtWgHKBWU[/embed]

'Taliban violated Doha agreement'

The Taliban "grossly" violated the Doha Agreement by hosting and sheltering Al Qaeda's top leader Ayman al Zawahiri, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

"In the face of the Taliban’s unwillingness or inability to abide by their commitments, we will continue to support the Afghan people with robust humanitarian assistance and to advocate for the protection of their human rights, especially of women and girls," Blinken said in a statement.

Over the 20-year war in Afghanistan, the US targeted and splintered Al Qaeda, sending leaders into hiding. But America’s exit from Afghanistan last September gave the group the opportunity to rebuild.

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/us-kills-top-al-qaeda-leader-ayman-al-zawahiri/?feed_id=5419&_unique_id=62e8a690034c7

Republicans join Democrats in praising Biden for death of al Qaeda leader Zawahiri

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Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle praised the White House on Monday after it was announced that the leader of al Qaeda, Ayman al Zawahiri, had been killed by a drone strike in Afghanistan.

Republicans and Democrats, alike, were quick to commend President Biden for taking action against the 71-year-old terrorist. Zawahiri, a one-time surgeon, had led al-Qaeda since the 2011 death of Osama bin Laden.

BIDEN ADMIN WARNED NOT TO WITHHOLD AFTER-ACTION REPORTS ON BOTCHED AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL

"Congratulations to the Biden Administration and all those brave Americans involved in the successful counterterrorism operation against al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. "This is a significant event in the War on Terror. All those involved have delivered a strong message that America never forgets."

FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks during a news conference outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Zawahiri, who helped plan the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, was killed on Saturday by a drone strike in Kabul.

"The news of the successful hit on Ayman al-Zawahiri stopped me in my tracks," said Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich. "Targeting one senior leader does not end the capacity of an organization to attack, but it does send a message that, while it may take years, we do not forget those who attack us. I commend the President for making the tough call and the national security team for this success.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, echoed the sentiment in a statement released to the public.

"All Americans will breathe easier today knowing Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda, has been eliminated," said Cruz. "This strike should be a message to terrorists near and far: if you conspire to kill Americans, we will find and kill you."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during the Leadership Forum at the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Although much of the response was positive, it was still not totally devoid of partisanship.

Some Democrats were quick to use the moment to score political points against Republicans, particularly former President Donald Trump.

"Trump recently hosted a Saudi-backed golf tournament and ridiculously said that nobody has gotten to the bottom of 9/11," said Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif. "Under Joe Biden, the United States killed Ayman al Zawahiri, one of the master planners of 9/11."

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A few Republicans, meanwhile, called the "victory lap" being taken by Biden and lawmakers ridiculous.

"Zawahiri is credited in planning 9-11 …. but most Americans don’t know or have forgotten who he is, but once they know they will be glad he’s dead," said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA. "But Joe’s victory lap is ridiculous."

Haris Alic covers Congress and politics for Fox News Digital. You can contact him at haris.alic@fox.com or follow him on Twitter at @realharisalic.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/republicans-join-democrats-in-praising-biden-for-death-of-al-qaeda-leader-zawahiri/?feed_id=5342&_unique_id=62e8678e09dd3

US kills top Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri — sources

Fast News

US officials speaking on condition of anonymity say that CIA carried out a drone strike in Afghanistan's capital Kabul against a “significant Al Qaeda target.”

This frame grab from video shows Al Qaeda's leader Ayman al Zawahiri in a video issued Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006. (AP)

A US air strike has killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri in Afghanistan, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Current and former officials began hearing on Sunday afternoon that Zawahiri had been killed in a drone strike, but the administration delayed releasing the information until his death could be confirmed, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.

White House officials declined to confirm that Zawahiri was killed but noted in a statement that “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.”

Drone strike

The Central Intelligence Agency carried out a drone strike in Afghanistan over the weekend, two US officials told Reuters on Monday.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the strike took place in Kabul on Sunday.

They did not give details on the target or whether there were any casualties.

The CIA declined to comment.

Biden to speak

Separately President Joe Biden was set to address the nation on Monday following what the White House says was a “successful” counterterrorism operation against a “significant Al Qaeda target” in Afghanistan over the weekend.

The White House said there were no civilian casualties.

Biden planned to speak from the balcony of the White House Blue Room as he remains in isolation in the residence while he continues to test positive for Covid-19.