Multiple reports claim that al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a CIA drone attack outside Kabul. Joe Biden is set to address the nation at 7:15 p.m.
Al-Zawahiri, the al-Qaeda’s second-in-command and personal surgeon at Osama Bin Laden, was in fact the title of al-Qaeda’s titular second-in-command. He moved up to Number One after Barack Obama ignored Joe Biden’s advice and launched a counterterrorism operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan, that killed bin Laden. Since 9/11, Al-Zawahiri’s bounty has been $25 million.
What is this?
One hand it ends another chapter in the story of 9/11. This happened in the same country that the plot to attack 9/11 was started. Al-Zawahiri’s death means that most of those involved in the attack are now dead. This is a good thing. Royal Navy followed the HMS BountyAnd HMS HermioneMutineers have worked tirelessly for decades to bring mutineers to justice around the world. It is equally important to pursue those responsible for 9/11 as it is for the world to see that forgiveness and forgetfulness are not options for others.
Practically, it is almost meaningless. Al-Qaeda is a largely inactive force that has existed for many years. We gave a smile and nod in Syria as US-trained, -armed fighters were the backbone of al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front. Al-Qaeda’s Number Three is currently in Iran. He cannot move or do anything without Iranian authorization.
Thread: A few important connections between #IranAnd #AlQaedaAyman al –#Zawahiri. Saif Al Adl is not only a possible successor to Zawahiri, but also resides in #IranZawahiri is also the father-in-law of Abd-al Rahman al-Maghrebi, who resides in Iran. 1/5 pic.twitter.com/etKt7ucOVR
— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) August 1, 2022
Al-Zawahiri’s presence in Afghanistan probably has a lot less to do with the Taliban thinking of reprising their ill-fated alliance with al-Qaeda than al-Zawahiri seeking a long and quiet retirement in an area far away from America’s intelligence network.
An anonymous drone pilot killed al-Zawahiri, possibly in the United States. This contrasts starkly to Navy SEALs firing on bin Laden’s face. It might even be seen as a metaphor for the decline of America’s involvement in that theater of operations and interest in the war of terror.
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