Ayman al-Zawahiri

Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri[4] (June 19, 1951 – July 31, 2022) was an Egyptian terrorist.[5] He was the leader of the militant Islamist organization al-Qaeda.[6] Ayman al-Zawahiri was member of Islamist organizations which have organised and carried out attacks in North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In 2012 he called on fellow Muslims to kidnap western tourists in Muslim countries.[7]

Ayman al-Zawahiri
أيمن محمد ربيع الظواهري
Ayman al-Zawahiri portrait.JPG
Ayman al-Zawahiri, November 2001
2nd General Emir of Al-Qaeda
In office
June 16, 2011[1] – July 31, 2022[2]
Preceded byOsama bin Laden
Succeeded byTBD
Deputy Emir of Al-Qaeda
In office
1988–2011
Preceded byPosition created
Succeeded byNasir al-Wuhayshi
Co-founder of Al-Qaeda (with Abdullah Azzam and Osama bin Laden)
In office
1988–1989
Preceded byPosition created
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Co-founder of Maktab al-Khidamat
In office
1984–1988
Preceded byPosition created
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Emir of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad
In office
1991–1998
Preceded byMuhammad abd-al-Salam Faraj
Succeeded byMerger with Al-Qaeda
Personal details
Born
Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri

(1951-06-19)June 19, 1951
Maadi, Cairo, Kingdom of Egypt
DiedJuly 31, 2022(2022-07-31) (aged 71)
Kabul, Afghanistan
Cause of deathDrone strike
NationalityEgyptian
Spouse(s)Azza Ahmed
(m. 1978; died 2001), Umaima Hassan
Children
Alma materCairo University
OccupationSurgeon
AllegianceFlag of Jihad.svg Egyptian Islamic Jihad (1980–1998)[3]
Flag of Jihad.svg Al-Qaeda
(1988–2022)
Years of service1980–2022
RankGeneral Emir of Al-Qaeda
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
War in North-West Pakistan

Since the September 11 attacks until his death, U.S. State Department offered a US$25 million reward for information leading to al-Zawahiri's arrest.[8] He was under worldwide sanctions by the United Nations Security Council 1267 Committee as a member or affiliate of al-Qaeda.[9] In 1998 ayman made a religious law with 3 other scholars to kill all of the americans and all of their allies (turks, indians etc.).[10] Ayman also asked to attack american and ally millitary base.

Early life

Al-Zawahiri studied medicine in Cairo. He successfully completed his studies in 1974. He worked as a surgeon for three years in the Egyptian army. After that, he worked in a hospital in Cairo. In 1980 and 1981, al-Zawahiri travelled to Pakistan to help the Red Crescent movement.[11]

Al-Zawahiri is the author of several works, including numerous al-Qaeda statements. He spoke Arabic, English,[12][13] and French.

Death

Al-Zawahiri was killed on July 31, 2022 shortly after 6:00 AM local time (9:00 PM Eastern Time),[a] in an early-morning drone strike by the Central Intelligence Agency.[14] Since this was a specialized attack, there were no other casualties except al-Zawahiri.[2] Zawahiri was living in a friend's house in Kabul, Afghanistan, which was where the drone struck.[15] He was 71 years old.[14]

Ayman Al-Zawahiri Media

Notes

  1. Depending on the time zone, the date of his death may be different locally.

References

  1. "Al-Qaeda's remaining leaders". BBC News. June 16, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Cooper, Helene; Barnes, Julian E.; Schmitt, Eric (1 August 2022). "Live Updates: U.S. Drone Strike Said to Have Killed Top Qaeda Leader". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/08/01/us/al-qaeda-strike-us#al-qaeda-strike-afghanistan. Retrieved 1 August 2022. 
  3. "Ayman al Zawahiri". Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  4. Arabic: أيمن محمد ربيع الظواهري  ʾAyman Muḥammad Rabīʿ aẓ-Ẓawāhirī
  5. "AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI". Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  6. "Zawahiri 'becomes al-Qaeda chief'". BBC News. June 16, 2011. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-13788594. 
  7. CNN, By Chelsea J. Carter (October 27, 2012). "Al Qaeda leader calls for kidnapping of Westerners". CNN. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  8. "CNN Programs - People in the News". edition.cnn.com.
  9. "UN list of affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Taliban".
  10. "World Islamic Front Statement Urging Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders". irp.fas.org. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  11. "Succession to throne: Ayman al Zawahiri named head of al Qaeda". The Express Tribune. June 16, 2011.
  12. "Al-Qaeda Deputy Head Ayman Al-Zawahiri in Audio Recording: Musharraf Accepted Israel's Existence".
  13. Wilkinson, Isambard (August 11, 2008). "Al-Qa'eda chief Ayman Zawahiri attacks Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf in video". The Daily Telegraph (London). https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/2540522/Al-Qaeda-chief-Ayman-Zawahiri-attacks-Pakistans-Pervez-Musharraf-in-video.html. Retrieved April 26, 2010. 
  14. 14.0 14.1 Ward, Alexander; Toosi, Nahal; Seligman, Lara (August 1, 2022). "U.S. kills Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri in drone strike". Politico. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  15. Liptak, Kevin; Atwood, Kylie; Bertrand, Natasha; Judd, Donald. "US kills al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in drone strike in Afghanistan". CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/01/politics/joe-biden-counter-terrorism/index.html. Retrieved 1 August 2022.