Taliban sources in the Afghan capital told News18 on Tuesday that no member of the Haqqani family was killed in the US-led strike that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in central Kabul.
Zawahiri, an Egyptian surgeon with a $25 million bounty on his head, helped orchestrate the September 11, 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. Zawahiri reportedly stepped out from the balcony of his safe house in Kabul and was hit by “Hellfire” missiles from US drones.
Sources said that the strike took place at 6 am on July 30 in Sherpur Cantt area in the center of Kabul. This place is near the embassies of Iran and Turkey.
In remarks from the White House, US President Joe Biden said he had authorized a precision strike in central Kabul and that no civilians were killed. “Now justice has been served, and this terrorist leader is no more. No matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, America will find you. Will take it out.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid had earlier confirmed the attack in Kabul on Sunday and strongly condemned it, calling it a violation of “international norms”.
According to media reports, members of the dreaded terrorist group Haqqani Network tried to hide that Ayman al-Zawahiri was in a safe house in Kabul.
“After al-Zawahiri was killed in a US drone strike, members of the terrorist group Haqqani Network tried to cover up that the al-Qaeda leader was present at the house in Kabul, allegedly owned by a top aide of Sirajuddin Haqqani. owned by, and restricted access to, the Site; The New York Times Reported
The report cited a senior administration official as saying that a US analyst said the home that was attacked was owned by a top aide to Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is now interior minister in the Taliban government in Kabul.
The Haqqani Network is an Islamic terrorist organization founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani, who emerged as a top Afghan fighter and insurgent commander during the anti-Soviet war.
Al-Zawahiri, 71, was No. 2 in al-Qaida when the group carried out the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and was considered by US officials to be a master planner. Although he lacked the charismatic leadership of Osama bin Laden, he profoundly shaped al-Qaeda and its terrorist movements through his writings and arguments. He assumed the post of Al-Qaeda chief after the death of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011.
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