Yesterday (Aug. 1), it was announced by the United States government that Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of the Sunni Islamic extremist outfit al-Qaeda, was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan. He was said to have been hit by a CIA drone strike while standing on the balcony of his safe house.
President Joe Biden further confirmed the news during an evening address to the nation:
“Now we make it clear again tonight, that no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide: if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out. … After carefully considering the clear and convincing evidence of his location, I authorized the precision strike that would remove him from the battlefield once and for all.”
Biden further explained his decision to launch the attack on Osama bin Laden‘s successor:
“For decades, he was the mastermind behind the attacks against Americans, including the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, which killed 17 American sailors and wounded dozens more. … He played a key role, a key role in the bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing 224 and wounding over 4,500 others. He carved a trail of murder and violence against American citizens, American service members, American diplomats and American interests.”
Barack Obama also released a statement on social media, praising his former vice president while also speaking to those affected by the infamous 9/11 attacks:
“More than 20 years after 9/11, one of the masterminds of that terrorist attack … has finally been brought to justice. It’s a tribute to President Biden’s leadership, to the members of the intelligence community … and to the counterterrorism professionals who were able to take al-Zawahiri out without a single civilian casualty. … I hope it provides a small measure of peace to the 9/11 families and everyone else who has suffered at the hands of al-Qaeda.”
You can check out both a recap of Biden‘s press conference and Obama‘s full Twitter thread below.
More than 20 years after 9/11, one of the masterminds of that terrorist attack and Osama bin Laden’s successor as the leader of al-Qaeda – Ayman al-Zawahiri – has finally been brought to justice.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 2, 2022
It’s a tribute to President Biden’s leadership, to the members of the intelligence community who have been working for decades for this moment, and to the counterterrorism professionals who were able to take al-Zawahiri out without a single civilian casualty.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 2, 2022
Tonight’s news is also proof that it’s possible to root out terrorism without being at war in Afghanistan. And I hope it provides a small measure of peace to the 9/11 families and everyone else who has suffered at the hands of al-Qaeda.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 2, 2022