Biden Declares Victory: Al‑Qaeda’s Kingpin Zawahiri Finally Hit
Washington D.C. – On a crisp Sunday morning in Kabul, a stealth drone swooped down and struck the balcony of a “safe house” where Ayman al‑Zawahiri was regrouping. The US government confirmed the hit, proving the man who helped engineer 9/11 is no longer around.
Who Was Zawahiri?
- Egyptian former surgeon turned jihadist mastermind.
- Co‑architect of the 2001 attacks that killed almost 3,000 people.
- Had a $25 million (S$34 million) bounty on his head – the biggest paid for any terrorist.
The Striking Moment
At 6:18 am local time (9:48 am Singapore time), a US drone burst onto the balcony of a cramped Kabul location. Zawahiri was there, watching videos, and the strike was clean—no other casualties. The operation marked the first known US aerial attack inside Afghanistan since the Pentagon and consular staff exited the country in 2021.
Why It Matters
Biden, still recovering from Covid‑19, called the strike a “justice delivered.” He declared that the U.S. will find and neutralize any threat “no matter how long it takes or where you hide.” This is a powerful message to extremist networks: the US can still chase its enemies without a permanent military footprint in Afghanistan.
Intelligence Triumph
- High‑confidence confirmation from multiple intelligence streams.
- Removal of Zawahiri’s wife, daughter, and grandchildren from Kabul to a safe house – a “parking battery” that locked down the family.
- Reignited debate about Taliban’s role: senior Taliban officials allegedly knew his presence but did not protect him.
Reactions from the Hill
Both sides of the aisle applauded the strike. Senator Marco Rubio praised the operation, stating, “The world is safer without him in it.” Treasury officials called the hit a major blow to Al‑Qaeda, expecting the group’s operational capacity to degrade.
International Ramble
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid called the strike a violation of “international principles” and condemned it. Meanwhile, foreign media celebrated Biden’s move, noting a trend of delivering justice from afar.
Public Perception & Rumors
For years, theories about Zawahiri’s whereabouts sprinkled the air – Pakistan, Afghanistan, or dead. A video released in April had him praising an Indian Muslim woman for wearing a hijab, which dispelled death rumors. Now, the U.S. confirms the man was alive and still active until the strike.
Takeaway
With Zawahiri gone, Al‑Qaeda’s firepower has dimmed. The hit demonstrates the U.S. can—though reluctantly—continue to track and neutralize its most dangerous opponents even after pulling out of a battlefield. The message is clear: the halo of the Taliban is not a guarantee for extremist protection.
