President Joe Biden announced on Monday, an al Qaeda leader associated with Osama bin Laden and the 9/11 attacks, was pronounced dead after the U.S. carried out a missile strike in Afghanistan.
In Biden’s speech, he touched base on the attack and said, “On Saturday, with my direction, the United States successfully concluded an air strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing Ayman al-Zawahiri, 71.”
Biden continued, “Al-Zawahiri was “bin Laden’s leader, his deputy at the time the terrorists attacked 9/11. He was deeply involved in the planning of 9/11, which killed nearly 3,000 people. Biden also said for decades al-Zawahiri was the mastermind behind attacks that killed and injured thousands of Americans.”
Al-Zawahiri became bin Laden’s predecessor after bin Laden was killed in a U.S. air strike in May 2011.
Biden also stated, “Since the United States delivered justice against bin Laden 11 years ago, Zawahiri has been a leader of al Qaeda, the leader. From hiding, he coordinated al Qaeda’s branches, and all around the world provided operational guidance that called for and inspired attacks against U.S. targets. He made videos including in recent weeks, calling for his followers to attack United States and our allies. Now, justice has been delivered, and this terrorist leader is no more.”
Biden, who is in isolation due to Covid, then said, “People around the world no longer need to fear the vicious and determined killer. The United States continues to demonstrate our resolve and our capacity to defend the American people against those who seek to do us harm. 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.”
Biden also spoke about how Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump had been on the lookout for al-Zawahiri before he was finally located earlier this year after relocating to downtown Kabul to see his family.
After finding his location, a precision strike was taken to remove him from the battlefield once and for all. Biden said, “This mission was carefully planned rigorously to minimize the risk of harm, and one week ago, after being advised the conditions were optimal, I gave the final approval to go get him. And the mission was a success.”
“Al-Zawahiri’s relatives were not injured in the attack and there were no civilian casualties,” Biden continued.
Remembering those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 over 20 years ago, Biden ended his speech by stating, “We continue to mourn every innocent life that was stolen on 9/11 and honor their memories. To the families who lost fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and coworkers on that searing September day, it is my hope that this decisive action will bring one more measure of closure.”
