A US airstrike killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Ex-officials and others in office began hearing reports on Sunday afternoon that Al-Zawahiri had been killed in a drone strike, but the administration delayed releasing the information until until his death can be confirmed, according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity.
White House officials declined to confirm that al-Zawahiri had been killed, but noted in a statement that “the United States conducted a counterterrorism operation against a key al-Qaeda target in Afghanistan. The operation was a success and there were no civilian casualties. »
President Joe Biden is to address the nation on Monday night regarding this counterterrorism operation.
Mr. Biden planned to speak from the balcony of the White House’s Blue Room as he remains in isolation at the residence due to testing positive for COVID-19.
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