OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Osama Bin Laden’s successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri, is dead after a successful U.S. drone operation.
Al-Zawahiri has been leading the terrorist group al-Qaeda since June 2011.
The CIA carried out the drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan.
MORE – CIA carried out a drone strike against a "significant Al-Qaeda target" in Kabul, Afghanistan over the weekend, according to Reuters/AFP.
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) August 1, 2022
Ayman Al Zawahiri was seen in a video last year commemorating 20 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The official Twitter account of the Spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban, also confirmed the drone strike occurred.
“Over the weekend, the United States conducted a counterterrorism operation against a significant al Qaeda target in Afghanistan,” a senior U.S. official said. “The operation was successful and there were no civilian casualties.”
WASHINGTON (AP) — White House: Biden to speak Monday on 'successful' operation against 'significant al-Qaida target' in Afghanistan.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 1, 2022
Hill sources saying the US killed Al Qaeda chief, Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike today in Kabul, Afghanistan.
— Jay Solomon (@jaysolomon) August 1, 2022
FOX: Reports Al Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri is the senior leader taken out by a CIA drone strike in Afghanistan https://t.co/ipczxH96x3
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) August 1, 2022
More from Fox News:
The Biden administration closed the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and withdrew all military assets from Afghanistan on Aug. 31, 2021, ending the United States’ longest war.
— Advertisement — President Biden, at the time, defended pulling out of Afghanistan by claiming al Qaeda was gone.
“What interest do we have in Afghanistan at this point with al Qaeda gone?” Biden said on Aug. 20, 2021. “We went to Afghanistan for the express purpose of getting rid of al Qaeda in Afghanistan, as well as — as well as getting Osama bin Laden. And we did.”
But Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, last September, warned lawmakers that terror groups like al Qaeda may be able to grow much faster following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
