Ayman al-Zawahiri: Difference between revisions

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|type of villain = Terrorist Leader}}

{{Quote|The Sheikh has departed, may God have mercy on him, to his God as a martyr and we must continue on his path of jihad to expel the invaders from the land of Muslims and to purify it from injustice. Today, and thanks to God, America is not facing an individual or a group, but a rebelling nation, which has awoken from its sleep in a jihadist renaissance.|Ayman al-Zawahiri}}

'''Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri''', MB BCh (Arabic: أيمن محمد ربيع الظواهري‎ ʾAyman Muḥammad Rabīʿ aẓ-Ẓawāhirī, June 19th, 1951 - July 31, 2022) was an Egyptian physician, Islamic theologian and leader of [[al-Qaeda]] until his death in 2022. He was previously the second and last "emir" of the [[Egyptian Islamic Jihad]], having succeeded Abbud al-Zumar in the latter role when Egyptian authorities sentenced al-Zumar to life imprisonment. His wife and three of his six children were killed in an air strike on Afghanistan by US forces in late 2001, following the [[9/11|September 11 attacks]] on the USA.

'''Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri''', MB BCh (Arabic: أيمن محمد ربيع الظواهري‎ ʾAyman Muḥammad Rabīʿ aẓ-Ẓawāhirī, June 19th, 1951 - July 31, 2022) was an Egyptian physician, Islamic theologian and leader of [[al-Qaeda]] until his death in 2022. He was previously the second and last "emir" of the [[Egyptian Islamic Jihad]], having succeeded [[Abbud al-Zumar]] in the latter role when Egyptian authorities sentenced al-Zumar to life imprisonment. His wife and three of his six children were killed in an air strike on Afghanistan by US forces in late 2001, following the [[9/11|September 11 attacks]] on the USA.

From May 2, 2011 until his death, he was the leader of al-Qaeda following the death of [[Osama bin Laden]]. This was confirmed by a press release from al-Qaeda's general command on June 16th. After the 9/11 attacks the U.S. State Department offered a US$25 million reward for information leading to al-Zawahiri's apprehension. He was under worldwide sanctions by the Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee as a member of al-Qaeda until being killed by a U.S. drone strike on July 31, 2022.

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===Joining al-Qaeda===

al-Zawahiri is reportedly a qualified surgeon; when his organization merged with bin Laden's al-Qaeda, he became bin Laden's personal adviser and physician. He had first met bin Laden in Jeddah in 1986. al-Zawahiri has shown a radical understanding of Islamic theology and Islamic history. He speaks Arabic, English and French. He is under worldwide sanctions by the United Nations Security Council 1267 Committee as a member or affiliate of al-Qaeda.

al-Zawahiri is reportedly a qualified surgeon; when his organization merged with bin Laden's al-Qaeda, he became bin Laden's personal adviser and physician.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/zawahiri/profile.html Egyptian doctor emerges as terror mastermind], ''CNN''</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/24/world/nation-challenged-heir-apparent-egyptian-seen-top-aide-successor-bin-laden.html A NATION CHALLENGED: HEIR APPARENT; Egyptian Seen As Top Aide And Successor To bin Laden], ''The New York Times''</ref> He had first met bin Laden in Jeddah in 1986. al-Zawahiri has shown a radical understanding of Islamic theology and Islamic history. He speaks Arabic, English and French. He is under worldwide sanctions by the United Nations Security Council 1267 Committee as a member or affiliate of al-Qaeda.<ref>[https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/aiman-muhammed-rabi-al-zawahiri AIMAN MUHAMMED RABI AL-ZAWAHIRI], United Nations Security Council</ref>

In 1998, al-Zawahiri formally merged the Egyptian Islamic Jihad into al-Qaeda. According to reports by a former al-Qaeda member, he has worked in the al-Qaeda organization since its inception and was a senior member of the group's shura council. He was often described as a "lieutenant" to Osama bin Laden, though bin Laden's chosen biographer has referred to him as the "real brains" of al-Qaeda.

===Leader of al-Qaeda===

On June 16th, 2011, al-Qaeda announced that al-Zawahiri had been selected as bin Laden's successor as al-Qaeda's former leader had been killed during the United States' raid on bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan several months prior.

On June 16th, 2011, al-Qaeda announced that al-Zawahiri had been selected as bin Laden's successor as al-Qaeda's former leader had been killed during the United States' raid on bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan several months prior.<ref>[https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/profile-ayman-al-zawahiri Profile: Ayman al-Zawahiri], Council on Foreign Relations</ref>

Al-Zawahiri's current whereabouts are unknown, but he is generally thought to be in tribal Pakistan. Although he releases videos of himself frequently, al-Zawahiri did not appear alongside bin Laden in any of them after 2003. In 2003, it was rumored that he was under arrest in Iran, although this was later discovered to be false. In 2004, the Pakistan Army launched an aggressive operation in Wana, Pakistan. Reports began to surface that he was trapped in the center of the conflict by the army. But when, after weeks of fighting, the army captured the area, it was later revealed that he either escaped or was never among the fighters. As the conflict spread into the tribal areas of western Pakistan, Ayman al-Zawahiri became a prime target of the ISI's Directorate for Joint Counterintelligence Bureau (J-COIN Bureau). However, despite a series of operations they were unable to capture him.

Al-Zawahiri's current whereabouts are unknown, but he is generally thought to be in tribal Pakistan. Although he releases videos of himself frequently, al-Zawahiri did not appear alongside bin Laden in any of them after 2003. In 2003, it was rumored that he was under arrest in Iran, although this was later discovered to be false.

In 2004, the Pakistan Army launched an aggressive operation in Wana, Pakistan. Reports began to surface that he was trapped in the center of the conflict by the army. But when, after weeks of fighting, the army captured the area, it was later revealed that he either escaped or was never among the fighters. As the conflict spread into the tribal areas of western Pakistan, Ayman al-Zawahiri became a prime target of the ISI's Directorate for Joint Counterintelligence Bureau (J-COIN Bureau). However, despite a series of operations they were unable to capture him.

On January 13, 2006, the Central Intelligence Agency, aided by Pakistan's ISI, launched an airstrike on Damadola, a Pakistani village near the Afghan border where they believed al-Zawahiri was located. The airstrike was supposed to kill al-Zawahiri and this was reported in international news over the following days. Many victims of the airstrike were buried without being identified. Anonymous U.S. government officials claimed that some terrorists were killed and the Bajaur tribal area government confirmed that at least four terrorists were among the dead. Anti-American protests broke out around the country and the Pakistani government condemned the U.S. attack and the loss of innocent life. On January 30, a new video was released showing al-Zawahiri unhurt. The video discussed the airstrike, but did not reveal if al-Zawahiri was present in the village at that time.

On August 1, 2008, CBS News reported that it had obtained a copy of an intercepted letter dated July 29, 2008, from unnamed sources in Pakistan, which urgently requested a doctor to treat al-Zawahiri. The letter indicated that al-Zawahiri was critically injured in a US missile strike at Azam Warsak village in South Waziristan on July 28 that also reportedly killed al Qaeda explosives expert [[Abu Khabab al-Masri]]. [[Taliban]] Mehsud spokesman Maulvi Umar told the Associated Press on August 2, 2008, that the report of al-Zawahiri's injury was false.

On August 1, 2008, CBS News reported that it had obtained a copy of an intercepted letter dated July 29, 2008, from unnamed sources in Pakistan, which urgently requested a doctor to treat al-Zawahiri. The letter indicated that al-Zawahiri was critically injured in a US missile strike at Azam Warsak village in South Waziristan on July 28 that also reportedly killed al Qaeda explosives expert [[Abu Khabab al-Masri]]. [[Taliban]] Mehsud spokesman Maulvi Umar told the Associated Press on August 2, 2008, that the report of al-Zawahiri's injury was false.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taliban-denies-al-qaedas-no-2-wounded/ Taliban Denies Al Qaeda's No. 2 Wounded], ''CBS News''</ref>

In early September 2008, Pakistan Army claimed that they "almost" captured al-Zawahiri after getting information that he and his wife were in the Mohmand Agency, in northwest Pakistan. After raiding the area, officials didn't find him.

In early September 2008, Pakistan Army claimed that they "almost" captured al-Zawahiri after getting information that he and his wife were in the Mohmand Agency, in northwest Pakistan. After raiding the area, officials didn't find him.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/02/pakistan.zawahiri.capture.missed/index.html Pakistan misses al Qaeda's No.2 in raids], ''CNN''</ref>

In June 2013, al-Zawahiri arbitrated against the merger of the Islamic State of Iraq with the Syrian-based [[Al-Nusra Front]] into [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] as was declared in April by [[Abu Bakr al-Baghadi]]. [[Abu Mohammad al-Julani]], leader of al-Nusra Front, affirmed the group's allegiance to al-Qaeda and al-Zawahiri.

In June 2013, al-Zawahiri arbitrated against the merger of the Islamic State of Iraq with the Syrian-based [[Al-Nusra Front]] into [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] as was declared in April by [[Abu Bakr al-Baghadi]]. [[Abu Mohammad al-Julani]], leader of al-Nusra Front, affirmed the group's allegiance to al-Qaeda and al-Zawahiri.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/al-qaeda-disavows-any-ties-with-radical-islamist-isis-group-in-syria-iraq/2014/02/03/2c9afc3a-8cef-11e3-98ab-fe5228217bd1_story.html Al-Qaeda disavows any ties with radical Islamist ISIS group in Syria, Iraq], ''The Washington Post''</ref>

===Later activities===

In September 2015, Zawahiri urged Islamic State (ISIL) to stop fighting al-Nusra Front, the official al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, and to unite with all other jihadists against the supposed alliance between America, Russia, Europe, Shiites and Iran, and [[Bashar al-Assad]]'s Alawite regime.

Ayman al-Zawahiri released a statement supporting jihad in Xinjiang against Chinese, jihad in the Caucasus against the Russians and naming Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan as battlegrounds. Zawahiri endorsed "jihad to liberate every span of land of the Muslims that has been usurped and violated, from Kashgar to Andalusia, and from the Caucasus to Somalia and Central Africa".

Ayman al-Zawahiri released a statement supporting jihad in Xinjiang against Chinese, jihad in the Caucasus against the Russians and naming Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan as battlegrounds. Zawahiri endorsed "jihad to liberate every span of land of the Muslims that has been usurped and violated, from Kashgar to Andalusia, and from the Caucasus to Somalia and Central Africa".<ref>[https://thediplomat.com/2014/10/al-qaeda-declares-war-on-china-too/ Al-Qaeda Declares War on China, Too], ''The Diplomat''</ref>

Uyghurs inhabit Kashgar, the city which was mentioned by Zawahiri. In another statement he said, "My mujahideen brothers in all places and of all groups ... we face aggression from America, Europe, and Russia ... so it's up to us to stand together as one from East Turkestan to Morocco". In 2015, the [[Turkistan Islamic Party]] (East Turkistan Islamic Movement) released an image showing Al Qaeda leaders Ayman al Zawahiri and Osama Bin Laden meeting with [[Hasan Mahsum]].

Zawahiri continues to release propaganda videos, with the most recent being in June 2020 following the announcement of peace negotiations between the United States and the [[Taliban]]. In September 2021, on the 20th anniversary of the [[9/11]], after a month of Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, another video of al-Zawahiri surfaced, but he did not mention the Taliban takeover.

Zawahiri continues to release propaganda videos, with the most recent being in June 2020 following the announcement of peace negotiations between the United States and the [[Taliban]]. In September 2021, on the 20th anniversary of the [[9/11]], after a month of Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, another video of al-Zawahiri surfaced, but he did not mention the Taliban takeover.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/12/al-qaeda-chief-video-9-11-anniversary-511531 Al Qaeda chief appears in video marking 9/11 anniversary], ''Politico''</ref>

===Death speculations===

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A Pakistani security official in tribal areas near the Afghan border said 'we are firm that he has died of natural causes' following persistent rumours.

Another Pakistani source, a security officer with knowledge of anti-terror operations, said they had information that Zawahiri had died around a month ago.

Another Pakistani source, a security officer with knowledge of anti-terror operations, said they had information that Zawahiri had died around a month ago.<ref>[https://www.factcheck.org/2022/08/posts-make-unfounded-claims-about-death-of-al-qaeda-leader/ Posts Make Unfounded Claims About Death of Al-Qaeda Leader], ''FactCheck''</ref>

===Death===

On August 1, 2022, two intelligence sources confirmed that the United States killed al-Zawahiri in a drone strike as part of their counterterrorism operation that was conducted over the past weekend in Kabul under the [[Taliban]].

On August 1, 2022, two intelligence sources confirmed that the United States killed al-Zawahiri in a drone strike as part of their counterterrorism operation that was conducted over the past weekend in Kabul under the [[Taliban]].<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/01/politics/joe-biden-counter-terrorism/index.html US kills al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in drone strike in Afghanistan], ''CNN Politics''</ref>

==References==

[[Category:List]]

[[Category:Terrorists]]

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 |type of villain = Terrorist Leader}}
 {{Quote|The Sheikh has departed, may God have mercy on him, to his God as a martyr and we must continue on his path of jihad to expel the invaders from the land of Muslims and to purify it from injustice. Today, and thanks to God, America is not facing an individual or a group, but a rebelling nation, which has awoken from its sleep in a jihadist renaissance.|Ayman al-Zawahiri}}
-'''Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri''', MB BCh (Arabic: أيمن محمد ربيع الظواهري‎ ʾAyman Muḥammad Rabīʿ aẓ-Ẓawāhirī, June 19<sup>th</sup>, 1951 - July 31, 2022) was an Egyptian physician, Islamic theologian and leader of [[al-Qaeda]] until his death in 2022. He was previously the second and last "emir" of the [[Egyptian Islamic Jihad]], having succeeded Abbud al-Zumar in the latter role when Egyptian authorities sentenced al-Zumar to life imprisonment. His wife and three of his six children were killed in an air strike on Afghanistan by US forces in late 2001, following the [[9/11|September 11 attacks]] on the USA.
+'''Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri''', MB BCh (Arabic: أيمن محمد ربيع الظواهري‎ ʾAyman Muḥammad Rabīʿ aẓ-Ẓawāhirī, June 19<sup>th</sup>, 1951 - July 31, 2022) was an Egyptian physician, Islamic theologian and leader of [[al-Qaeda]] until his death in 2022. He was previously the second and last "emir" of the [[Egyptian Islamic Jihad]], having succeeded [[Abbud al-Zumar]] in the latter role when Egyptian authorities sentenced al-Zumar to life imprisonment. His wife and three of his six children were killed in an air strike on Afghanistan by US forces in late 2001, following the [[9/11|September 11 attacks]] on the USA.
 From May 2, 2011 until his death, he was the leader of al-Qaeda following the death of [[Osama bin Laden]]. This was confirmed by a press release from al-Qaeda's general command on June 16<sup>th</sup>. After the 9/11 attacks the U.S. State Department offered a US$25 million reward for information leading to al-Zawahiri's apprehension. He was under worldwide sanctions by the Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee as a member of al-Qaeda until being killed by a U.S. drone strike on July 31, 2022.
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ===Joining al-Qaeda===
-al-Zawahiri is reportedly a qualified surgeon; when his organization merged with bin Laden's al-Qaeda, he became bin Laden's personal adviser and physician. He had first met bin Laden in Jeddah in 1986. al-Zawahiri has shown a radical understanding of Islamic theology and Islamic history. He speaks Arabic, English and French. He is under worldwide sanctions by the United Nations Security Council 1267 Committee as a member or affiliate of al-Qaeda.
+al-Zawahiri is reportedly a qualified surgeon; when his organization merged with bin Laden's al-Qaeda, he became bin Laden's personal adviser and physician.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/zawahiri/profile.html Egyptian doctor emerges as terror mastermind], ''CNN''</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/24/world/nation-challenged-heir-apparent-egyptian-seen-top-aide-successor-bin-laden.html A NATION CHALLENGED: HEIR APPARENT; Egyptian Seen As Top Aide And Successor To bin Laden], ''The New York Times''</ref> He had first met bin Laden in Jeddah in 1986. al-Zawahiri has shown a radical understanding of Islamic theology and Islamic history. He speaks Arabic, English and French. He is under worldwide sanctions by the United Nations Security Council 1267 Committee as a member or affiliate of al-Qaeda.<ref>[https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/aiman-muhammed-rabi-al-zawahiri AIMAN MUHAMMED RABI AL-ZAWAHIRI], United Nations Security Council</ref>
 In 1998, al-Zawahiri formally merged the Egyptian Islamic Jihad into al-Qaeda. According to reports by a former al-Qaeda member, he has worked in the al-Qaeda organization since its inception and was a senior member of the group's shura council. He was often described as a "lieutenant" to Osama bin Laden, though bin Laden's chosen biographer has referred to him as the "real brains" of al-Qaeda.
 ===Leader of al-Qaeda===
-On June 16<sup>th</sup>, 2011, al-Qaeda announced that al-Zawahiri had been selected as bin Laden's successor as al-Qaeda's former leader had been killed during the United States' raid on bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan several months prior.
+On June 16<sup>th</sup>, 2011, al-Qaeda announced that al-Zawahiri had been selected as bin Laden's successor as al-Qaeda's former leader had been killed during the United States' raid on bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan several months prior.<ref>[https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/profile-ayman-al-zawahiri Profile: Ayman al-Zawahiri], Council on Foreign Relations</ref>
-Al-Zawahiri's current whereabouts are unknown, but he is generally thought to be in tribal Pakistan. Although he releases videos of himself frequently, al-Zawahiri did not appear alongside bin Laden in any of them after 2003. In 2003, it was rumored that he was under arrest in Iran, although this was later discovered to be false. In 2004, the Pakistan Army launched an aggressive operation in Wana, Pakistan. Reports began to surface that he was trapped in the center of the conflict by the army. But when, after weeks of fighting, the army captured the area, it was later revealed that he either escaped or was never among the fighters. As the conflict spread into the tribal areas of western Pakistan, Ayman al-Zawahiri became a prime target of the ISI's Directorate for Joint Counterintelligence Bureau (J-COIN Bureau). However, despite a series of operations they were unable to capture him.
+Al-Zawahiri's current whereabouts are unknown, but he is generally thought to be in tribal Pakistan. Although he releases videos of himself frequently, al-Zawahiri did not appear alongside bin Laden in any of them after 2003. In 2003, it was rumored that he was under arrest in Iran, although this was later discovered to be false.
+In 2004, the Pakistan Army launched an aggressive operation in Wana, Pakistan. Reports began to surface that he was trapped in the center of the conflict by the army. But when, after weeks of fighting, the army captured the area, it was later revealed that he either escaped or was never among the fighters. As the conflict spread into the tribal areas of western Pakistan, Ayman al-Zawahiri became a prime target of the ISI's Directorate for Joint Counterintelligence Bureau (J-COIN Bureau). However, despite a series of operations they were unable to capture him.
 On January 13, 2006, the Central Intelligence Agency, aided by Pakistan's ISI, launched an airstrike on Damadola, a Pakistani village near the Afghan border where they believed al-Zawahiri was located. The airstrike was supposed to kill al-Zawahiri and this was reported in international news over the following days. Many victims of the airstrike were buried without being identified. Anonymous U.S. government officials claimed that some terrorists were killed and the Bajaur tribal area government confirmed that at least four terrorists were among the dead. Anti-American protests broke out around the country and the Pakistani government condemned the U.S. attack and the loss of innocent life. On January 30, a new video was released showing al-Zawahiri unhurt. The video discussed the airstrike, but did not reveal if al-Zawahiri was present in the village at that time.
-On August 1, 2008, CBS News reported that it had obtained a copy of an intercepted letter dated July 29, 2008, from unnamed sources in Pakistan, which urgently requested a doctor to treat al-Zawahiri. The letter indicated that al-Zawahiri was critically injured in a US missile strike at Azam Warsak village in South Waziristan on July 28 that also reportedly killed al Qaeda explosives expert [[Abu Khabab al-Masri]]. [[Taliban]] Mehsud spokesman Maulvi Umar told the Associated Press on August 2, 2008, that the report of al-Zawahiri's injury was false.
+On August 1, 2008, CBS News reported that it had obtained a copy of an intercepted letter dated July 29, 2008, from unnamed sources in Pakistan, which urgently requested a doctor to treat al-Zawahiri. The letter indicated that al-Zawahiri was critically injured in a US missile strike at Azam Warsak village in South Waziristan on July 28 that also reportedly killed al Qaeda explosives expert [[Abu Khabab al-Masri]]. [[Taliban]] Mehsud spokesman Maulvi Umar told the Associated Press on August 2, 2008, that the report of al-Zawahiri's injury was false.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taliban-denies-al-qaedas-no-2-wounded/ Taliban Denies Al Qaeda's No. 2 Wounded], ''CBS News''</ref>
-In early September 2008, Pakistan Army claimed that they "almost" captured al-Zawahiri after getting information that he and his wife were in the Mohmand Agency, in northwest Pakistan. After raiding the area, officials didn't find him.
+In early September 2008, Pakistan Army claimed that they "almost" captured al-Zawahiri after getting information that he and his wife were in the Mohmand Agency, in northwest Pakistan. After raiding the area, officials didn't find him.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/02/pakistan.zawahiri.capture.missed/index.html Pakistan misses al Qaeda's No.2 in raids], ''CNN''</ref>
-In June 2013, al-Zawahiri arbitrated against the merger of the Islamic State of Iraq with the Syrian-based [[Al-Nusra Front]] into [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] as was declared in April by [[Abu Bakr al-Baghadi]]. [[Abu Mohammad al-Julani]], leader of al-Nusra Front, affirmed the group's allegiance to al-Qaeda and al-Zawahiri.
+In June 2013, al-Zawahiri arbitrated against the merger of the Islamic State of Iraq with the Syrian-based [[Al-Nusra Front]] into [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] as was declared in April by [[Abu Bakr al-Baghadi]]. [[Abu Mohammad al-Julani]], leader of al-Nusra Front, affirmed the group's allegiance to al-Qaeda and al-Zawahiri.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/al-qaeda-disavows-any-ties-with-radical-islamist-isis-group-in-syria-iraq/2014/02/03/2c9afc3a-8cef-11e3-98ab-fe5228217bd1_story.html Al-Qaeda disavows any ties with radical Islamist ISIS group in Syria, Iraq], ''The Washington Post''</ref>
 ===Later activities===
 In September 2015, Zawahiri urged Islamic State (ISIL) to stop fighting al-Nusra Front, the official al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, and to unite with all other jihadists against the supposed alliance between America, Russia, Europe, Shiites and Iran, and [[Bashar al-Assad]]'s Alawite regime.
-Ayman al-Zawahiri released a statement supporting jihad in Xinjiang against Chinese, jihad in the Caucasus against the Russians and naming Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan as battlegrounds. Zawahiri endorsed "jihad to liberate every span of land of the Muslims that has been usurped and violated, from Kashgar to Andalusia, and from the Caucasus to Somalia and Central Africa".
+Ayman al-Zawahiri released a statement supporting jihad in Xinjiang against Chinese, jihad in the Caucasus against the Russians and naming Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan as battlegrounds. Zawahiri endorsed "jihad to liberate every span of land of the Muslims that has been usurped and violated, from Kashgar to Andalusia, and from the Caucasus to Somalia and Central Africa".<ref>[https://thediplomat.com/2014/10/al-qaeda-declares-war-on-china-too/ Al-Qaeda Declares War on China, Too], ''The Diplomat''</ref>
 Uyghurs inhabit Kashgar, the city which was mentioned by Zawahiri. In another statement he said, "My mujahideen brothers in all places and of all groups ... we face aggression from America, Europe, and Russia ... so it's up to us to stand together as one from East Turkestan to Morocco". In 2015, the [[Turkistan Islamic Party]] (East Turkistan Islamic Movement) released an image showing Al Qaeda leaders Ayman al Zawahiri and Osama Bin Laden meeting with [[Hasan Mahsum]].
-Zawahiri continues to release propaganda videos, with the most recent being in June 2020 following the announcement of peace negotiations between the United States and the [[Taliban]]. In September 2021, on the 20th anniversary of the [[9/11]], after a month of Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, another video of al-Zawahiri surfaced, but he did not mention the Taliban takeover.
+Zawahiri continues to release propaganda videos, with the most recent being in June 2020 following the announcement of peace negotiations between the United States and the [[Taliban]]. In September 2021, on the 20th anniversary of the [[9/11]], after a month of Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, another video of al-Zawahiri surfaced, but he did not mention the Taliban takeover.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/12/al-qaeda-chief-video-9-11-anniversary-511531 Al Qaeda chief appears in video marking 9/11 anniversary], ''Politico''</ref>
 ===Death speculations===
@@ Line 61: / Line 63: @@
 A Pakistani security official in tribal areas near the Afghan border said 'we are firm that he has died of natural causes' following persistent rumours.
-Another Pakistani source, a security officer with knowledge of anti-terror operations, said they had information that Zawahiri had died around a month ago.
+Another Pakistani source, a security officer with knowledge of anti-terror operations, said they had information that Zawahiri had died around a month ago.<ref>[https://www.factcheck.org/2022/08/posts-make-unfounded-claims-about-death-of-al-qaeda-leader/ Posts Make Unfounded Claims About Death of Al-Qaeda Leader], ''FactCheck''</ref>
 ===Death===
-On August 1, 2022, two intelligence sources confirmed that the United States killed al-Zawahiri in a drone strike as part of their counterterrorism operation that was conducted over the past weekend in Kabul under the [[Taliban]].
+On August 1, 2022, two intelligence sources confirmed that the United States killed al-Zawahiri in a drone strike as part of their counterterrorism operation that was conducted over the past weekend in Kabul under the [[Taliban]].<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/01/politics/joe-biden-counter-terrorism/index.html US kills al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in drone strike in Afghanistan], ''CNN Politics''</ref>
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
 [[Category:List]]
 [[Category:Terrorists]]