Ayman al-Zawahiri
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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, November 2001 | |
| 2nd General Emir of Al-Qaeda | |
| In office June 16, 2011[1] – July 31, 2022[2] | |
| Preceded by | Osama bin Laden |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| Deputy Emir of Al-Qaeda | |
| In office 1988–2011 | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Nasir al-Wuhayshi |
| Co-founder of Al-Qaeda (with Abdullah Azzam and Osama bin Laden) | |
| In office 1988–1989 | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Co-founder of Maktab al-Khidamat | |
| In office 1984–1988 | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Emir of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad | |
| In office 1991–1998 | |
| Preceded by | Muhammad abd-al-Salam Faraj |
| Succeeded by | Merger with Al-Qaeda |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri June 19, 1951 Maadi, Cairo, Kingdom of Egypt |
| Died | July 31, 2022 (aged 71) Kabul, Afghanistan |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Spouse(s) | Azza Ahmed (m. 1978–2001, her death), Umaima Hassan |
| Children | Show all (7)
|
| Alma mater | Cairo University |
| Occupation | Surgeon |
| Allegiance |  Egyptian Islamic Jihad (1980–1998)[3] Al-Qaeda (1988–present) |
| Years of service | 1980–present |
| Rank | General Emir of Al-Qaeda |
| Battles/wars | War 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]
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.[10]
al-Zawahiri is the author of several works, including numerous al-Qaeda statements. He speaks Arabic, English[11][12] and French.
Death
Over the weekend of July 29 to July 31, 2022, the United States carried out a drone strike in Afghanistan where both current and previous government officials have verified he was dead. The strike was not carried out by the United States military but by another government agency known as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). 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.[13] He was 71 years old.[14]
References
- ↑ "Al-Qaeda's remaining leaders". BBC News. June 16, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cooper, Helene; Barnes, Julian E.; Schmitt, Eric (August 1, 2022). "Live Updates: U.S. Drone Strike Said to Have Killed Top Qaeda Leader". The New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ↑ "Ayman al Zawahiri". Retrieved September 8, 2014.
- ↑ Arabic: أيمن محمد ربيع الظواهري ʾAyman Muḥammad Rabīʿ aẓ-Ẓawāhirī
- ↑ "AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI". Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- ↑ "Zawahiri 'becomes al-Qaeda chief'". BBC News. June 16, 2011.
- ↑ CNN, By Chelsea J. Carter (October 27, 2012). "Al Qaeda leader calls for kidnapping of Westerners". CNN.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ↑ "CNN Programs - People in the News". edition.cnn.com.
- ↑ "UN list of affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Taliban".
- ↑ "Succession to throne: Ayman al Zawahiri named head of al Qaeda". The Express Tribune. June 16, 2011.
- ↑ "Al-Qaeda Deputy Head Ayman Al-Zawahiri in Audio Recording: Musharraf Accepted Israel's Existence".
- ↑ Wilkinson, Isambard (August 11, 2008). "Al-Qa'eda chief Ayman Zawahiri attacks Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf in video". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ↑ Liptak, Kevin; Atwood, Kylie; Bertrand, Natasha; Judd, Donald. "US kills al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in drone strike in Afghanistan". CNN. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ↑ 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.