In yet another big blow to the terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda, Washington killed its leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a US drone strike in Kabul on July 30. This is a major operation against Al-Qaeda since its founder Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011.

 

 

 

It should be noted that Zawahiri, an Egyptian surgeon who had a $25 million bounty on his head, helped coordinate Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. Zawahiri had been the mastermind behind or played a key role in attacks on the USS Cole and US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

 

 

 

United States President, Joe Biden addressed the nation on Monday, with the news. “Now justice has been delivered, and this terrorist leader is no more,” Biden, who is recovering from Covid-19, said in remarks from the White House. “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.”

 

As per Biden, the air strike was carried out by the American intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). At 9:48 pm ET on July 30 (7:18 am on July 31, as per IST) the operation was carried out. A CIA drone launched ‘hellfire’ missiles, killing al-Zawahiri on the balcony of the house.

 

It's been speculated that the US used “secret” weapon, United States of the macabre Hellfire R9X, a warhead-less missile believed equipped with six razor-like blades extending from the fuselage that slices through its target but does not explode.

 

 

 

This is not the first time, the R9X first appeared in March 2017 when Al-Qaeda senior leader Abu al-Khayr al-Masri was killed by a drone strike while travelling in a car in Syria.

 

Zawahiri succeeded bin Laden as al Qaeda leader after years as its main organiser and strategist, but his lack of charisma and competition from rival militants Islamic State hobbled his ability to inspire spectacular attacks on the West.