Taliban investigating US ‘claim’ of killing al-Qaeda chief

Taliban consultant to the UN says the Afghan authorities and group’s management is ‘not conscious’ of what’s being claimed.

The Taliban says it’s investigating a “declare” by the US that it killed al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone assault in Kabul, says a Taliban official, indicating the group’s management was not conscious of his presence there.

The US mentioned it killed al-Zawahiri with a missile fired from a drone whereas he stood on a balcony at his Kabul hiding place on Sunday.

US officers mentioned the killing was the largest blow to the armed group since its founder, Osama bin Laden was shot useless greater than 10 years in the past.

“The federal government and the management wasn’t conscious of what’s being claimed, nor any hint there,” Suhail Shaheen, the designated Taliban consultant to the United Nations, who relies in Doha, informed journalists in a message.

“Investigation is below means now to seek out out in regards to the veracity of the declare,” he mentioned, including that the outcomes of the investigation could be shared publicly.

Taliban leaders have remained largely tight-lipped in regards to the Sunday drone raid and haven’t confirmed the presence or dying of al-Zawahiri – one of many world’s most wished males – in Kabul.

Prime Taliban leaders have been holding prolonged discussions about how to reply to the US drone assault, three sources within the group informed the Reuters information company.

How the Taliban react may have important repercussions because the group seeks worldwide legitimacy and entry to billions of {dollars} in frozen funds, following their defeat of a US-backed authorities a 12 months in the past.

Al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian physician, was wished for the September 11, 2001, assaults on the US.

His dying in Kabul raises questions on whether or not he acquired sanctuary from the Taliban, who had assured the US as a part of a 2020 settlement on the withdrawal of US-led forces that they’d not harbour different armed teams.

Shaheen mentioned the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan – the identify the Taliban use for the nation and their authorities – was dedicated to the settlement, signed within the Qatari capital, Doha.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned the Taliban had “grossly violated” the settlement by internet hosting and sheltering al-Zawahiri.