International

US kills Al-Qaeda leader Al-Zawahiri in drone strike

Published

4 years ago

August 2, 2022

Ayman al-Zawahiri

A United States drone strike killed Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri at a hideout in the Afghan capital, President Joe Biden said Monday, adding “justice had been delivered” to the families of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

In a somber televised address, Biden said he gave the final go-ahead for the high-precision strike that successfully targeted Zawahiri in the Afghan capital over the weekend.

“Justice has been delivered and this terrorist leader is no more,” Biden said, adding that he hoped Zawahiri’s death would bring “closure” to families of the 3,000 people killed in the United States on 9/11.

A senior administration official said Zawahiri was on the balcony of a house in Kabul when he was targeted with two Hellfire missiles, an hour after sunrise on July 31, and that there had been no US boots on the ground in Afghanistan.

“We are not aware of him ever leaving the safe house. We identified Zawahiri on multiple occasions for sustained periods of time on the balcony of where he was ultimately struck,” the official said.

According to the official’s account, the president gave his green light for the strike on July 25 — as he was recovering in isolation from Covid-19. Biden said there were no civilian casualties in the operation.

It was the first known over-the-horizon strike by the United States on an Al-Qaeda target in Afghanistan since American forces withdrew from the country on August 31, 2021.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday evening that “by hosting and sheltering” Zawahiri, the Taliban had “grossly violated the Doha Agreement” signed in 2020, which paved the way for America’s withdrawal.

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Zawahiri, an Egyptian surgeon who grew up in a comfortable Cairo household before turning to violent radicalism, had been on the run for 20 years since the 9/11 attacks.

He took over Al-Qaeda after Osama bin Laden was killed by US special forces in Pakistan in 2011, and had a $25 million US bounty on his head.

Over the weekend the Afghan interior ministry denied reports circulating on social media of a drone strike in Kabul, telling AFP a rocket struck “an empty house” in the capital, causing no casualties.

Early Tuesday in Kabul, however, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted that an “aerial attack” was carried out on a residence in the Sherpur area of the city.

“The nature of the incident was not revealed at first. The security and intelligence agencies of the Islamic Emirate investigated the incident and found in their preliminary investigations that the attack was carried out by American drones,” his tweet said.

The news comes a month before the first anniversary of the final withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, leaving the country in the control of the Taliban insurgency that fought Western forces over the preceding two decades.

Under the 2020 Doha deal, the Taliban promised not to allow Afghanistan to be used again as a launchpad for international jihadism, but experts believe the group never broke its ties with Al-Qaeda.

“What we know is that the senior Haqqani Taliban were aware of his presence in Kabul,” the Biden official said.

Taliban interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani also heads the feared Haqqani Network, a brutal subset of the Taliban blamed for some of the worst violence of the past 20 years and which has been described by US officials as a “veritable arm” of Pakistani intelligence.

– Doctor turned jihadist –

Zawahiri, 71, lacked the potent charisma that helped bin Laden rally jihadists around the world, but willingly channeled his analytical skills into the Al-Qaeda cause.

He was believed to be the main strategist — the real mastermind who steered operations, including the September 11 attacks, as well as bin Laden’s personal doctor.

Saudi Arabia, the home country of bin Laden as well as many of the 9/11 hijackers, welcomed the announcement of Zawahiri’s death.

“Thousands of innocent people of different nationalities and religions, including Saudi citizens, were killed,” by terrorists under his leadership, the Saudi foreign ministry said.

Al-Qaeda is believed to have been degraded in the years since the US invasion of Afghanistan, and the White House official said Zawahiri was “one of the last remaining figures who carried this kind of significance.”

The organization, agreed Soufan Center researcher Colin Clarke, is “at a crossroads.”

“Despite Zawahiri’s leadership, which minimized AQ’s losses while rebuilding, the group still faces serious challenges going forward. For one, there’s the question of who will lead al Qaeda after Zawahiri’s gone,” he said.

Zawahiri’s father was a renowned physician and his grandfather a prayer leader at Cairo’s Al-Azhar institute, the highest authority for Sunni Muslims.

He became involved with Egypt’s radical Muslim community at a young age and published several books which came for many to symbolize the radical Islamist movement.

He left Egypt in the mid-1980s, heading for Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar where the resistance to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan was based.

It was at that time, when thousands of Islamist fighters flooded into Afghanistan during the 1980s, that Zawahiri and bin Laden met, and in 1998 he became one of five signatories to bin Laden’s “fatwa” calling for attacks against Americans.

Jihadist monitor SITE said some militants were questioning the veracity of the report he had been killed, while others believed Zawahiri had achieved his desire of “martyrdom.”

As for Al-Qaeda’s future without him, SITE said jihadists were bullish, with one writing: “If Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri is dead, there are a thousand Aymans.”

AFP/Punch

Related Topics:Al-Qaeda Al-Zawahiri drone strike US

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International

US Seeks Control of Iranian Oil, Not Peace – Envoy to Nigeria

Published

3 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Trends Admin

US Seeks Control of Iranian Oil, Not Peace – Envoy to Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria — The Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, has accused the United States of using the ongoing Middle East conflict to secure control over Iran’s energy reserves, describing Washington’s actions as driven by hegemonic ambitions. His comments were made on Trust TV’s Daily Politics on Monday and reflect Tehran’s view that US policy prioritizes oil dominance over peacebuilding.

Raja said the recent US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran are part of a broader strategy to weaken the country and seize its oil-rich territories. “The main aim of the United States and the Zionist regime for such brutal and unprovoked aggression is to seize Iranian energy reserves. The Zionist regime seeks Iran’s disintegration—they announced it themselves,” he stated. Despite repeated attacks on infrastructure, Raja emphasized that Iran’s government continues to function normally and that the Iranian people remain united in defending their sovereignty.

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The ambassador rejected any external interference in Iran’s political affairs, particularly regarding the appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He said, “Iran is an independent country. We make our own decisions without outside interference,” countering claims of US influence over Tehran’s leadership succession.

On the humanitarian impact of the conflict, Raja accused US missiles of hitting civilian targets, including a school in Minab City, claiming many children were killed. He insisted that Iranian strikes target only military bases, while Washington and Israel allegedly conduct “false flag operations” to blame Tehran.

Raja also denied accusations that Iran sponsors terrorism in Nigeria, stating that its relations with the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) are purely spiritual and cultural, dismissing Israeli claims as politically motivated. He emphasized that Iran is willing to assist Nigeria in combating extremism, citing shared concerns over groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Addressing global energy concerns, the ambassador warned that further military escalation could destabilize the region and drive global oil prices higher. He refuted reports of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that Tehran’s goal is defense, not disruption of international energy flows. Raja’s comments come amid a broader conflict that began after joint US‑Israeli strikes in February 2026, which triggered regional tensions and disrupted global energy markets. Analysts say the situation underscores US-Iran tensions, the struggle over energy dominance, and the potential for wider Middle East instability.

US Seeks Control of Iranian Oil, Not Peace – Envoy to Nigeria

International

Qatar Arrests Over 300 for Sharing Misleading Iran Attack Images

Published

4 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Qatar Arrests Over 300 for Sharing Misleading Iran Attack Images

Qatari authorities have detained over 300 individuals for recording, posting, and circulating unauthorised images and videos of Iranian attacks in the Gulf, the Ministry of Interior confirmed on Monday. The arrests were conducted by the Department for Combating Economic and Cyber Crimes under the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations, targeting people of various nationalities whose social media posts and messages officials described as misleading or capable of “stirring public opinion.” Legal and administrative actions are reportedly underway for those detained.

The crackdown comes amid escalating Gulf security tensions following daily Iranian drone and missile strikes on airports, military bases, energy facilities, and residential areas across the region. Qatari authorities have urged residents and visitors to avoid filming, posting, or sharing images and videos of ongoing attacks unless sourced from official channels, warning that unverified content could cause public alarm and spread false narratives.

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Authorities in Qatar’s neighbouring countries have taken similar measures. In Bahrain, four people were arrested for recording and distributing footage of Iranian attacks and spreading what officials called false information. In Kuwait, three individuals were detained after posting a video mocking the situation, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued text warnings urging residents not to film or circulate images of missile strikes or damage, with the UAE Attorney General’s Office warning of legal consequences for violations. Despite these measures, videos and images continue to circulate widely on social media and private messaging platforms, highlighting the challenges Gulf states face in controlling misinformation.

Qatari authorities emphasised that the arrests aim to prevent rumours and unverified narratives that could undermine public order and social stability. Citizens and residents are urged to follow official updates, maintain personal safety precautions, and avoid sharing content that has not been verified by recognised government or security sources.

The wave of arrests reflects a broader Gulf-wide strategy to curb misinformation during periods of heightened tension, particularly amid the ongoing Middle East conflict involving Iran’s drone and missile strikes. Gulf governments are increasingly monitoring social media platforms and online messaging channels to enforce strict regulations against sharing sensitive or unverified content, aiming to preserve public safety and prevent panic.

The crackdown also underscores the importance of cyber security and information control during regional crises. Authorities have reiterated that sharing misleading or unverified content online can lead to detention, prosecution, and other legal penalties, reinforcing the strict stance of Gulf nations on social media compliance during times of conflict.

Qatar Arrests Over 300 for Sharing Misleading Iran Attack Images

International

‘We Will Decide When War Ends’ — Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Fires Back at Trump

Published

4 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard

‘We Will Decide When War Ends’ — Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Fires Back at Trump

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has firmly rejected claims by Donald Trump that the ongoing US-Iran war could soon come to an end, insisting that only Iran will determine the timeline and conditions for ending the conflict.

In a statement carried by Tasnim News Agency, the powerful Iranian military force said developments on the battlefield would ultimately dictate when the war ends.

“We are the ones who will determine the end of the war. The conditions on the battlefield and the end of the war are in the hands of the Islamic Republic,” the IRGC said.

The statement signals Tehran’s continued defiance despite sustained military pressure from the United States and its allies since the conflict erupted earlier this year.

President Donald Trump had earlier suggested that the military campaign against Iran was nearing completion. Speaking in an interview with CBS News, Trump said U.S. forces had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities, including its navy, air force, missile infrastructure and drone production facilities. According to the U.S. president, the operation was progressing faster than initially expected, adding that it was ahead of his earlier four-to-five-week timeline for achieving key military objectives. His remarks raised speculation that Washington believed the conflict could soon wind down following a series of strikes on Iranian strategic assets.

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The current Middle East conflict began in late February after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel targeted key Iranian military facilities, senior commanders and air defence systems. The strikes reportedly focused on installations linked to missile development, drone production and strategic command infrastructure. While Washington initially anticipated a short and decisive military campaign, Iran has remained defiant, signalling its readiness to continue the conflict until its strategic objectives are achieved.

Security analysts say the IRGC’s latest statement highlights the widening gap between U.S. expectations of a quick victory and Iran’s determination to prolong the conflict. Despite suffering tactical setbacks, Iran still maintains significant asymmetric military capabilities, including long-range missile programmes, advanced drone systems, and influence through allied armed groups across the Middle East. These capabilities could allow Tehran to continue exerting pressure on U.S. and allied interests in the region.

Experts warn that the conflict may evolve into a prolonged regional confrontation, especially if indirect engagements involving Iranian-aligned groups expand across multiple countries.

The war has already triggered volatility in global oil markets, with crude oil prices rising sharply amid fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East. Countries that depend heavily on imported fuel, including several African economies, are already feeling the economic ripple effects through higher energy prices and inflation.

Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis are ongoing in several international capitals, but the IRGC’s latest remarks suggest that there is currently no clear timeline for the end of the war.