Virginia lawmakers raise possible consequences of killing al-Qaida leader

WASHINGTON (Grey DC) – President Joe Biden introduced Monday the U.S. killed the chief of al-Qaida, Ayman al-Zawahiri. The information had Virginia’s senators praising the administration whereas additionally offering suggestions about what it means for the struggle on terror.

The 2 lawmakers stated America and the remainder of the world are safer right now after the pinnacle of al-Qaida was killed by a drone strike within the capital of Afghanistan. On the identical time, there are new considerations about whether or not the nation is as soon as once more a haven for terrorists after the U.S. withdrew troops a 12 months in the past.

Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) stated it is crucial one of many masterminds behind the September 11, 2001 terror assaults is lifeless. Al-Zawahiri was Osama bin Laden’s second in command till the U.S. killed bin Laden in 2011.

When American troops pulled out of Afghanistan in August, 2021, President Biden pledged to proceed combating terrorism from afar. Monday night time, the president stated the drone strike reveals the method can work.

Kaine and Warner spoke Tuesday about what retaliation might look following the mission.

“I can inform you, as chairman of the Intelligence Committee, actions of people and teams who would possibly wish to threaten America, we’ll proceed to be on guard with or with out these sort of actions,” stated Warner.

“The Taliban was embarrassed by this. They had been embarrassed to be known as out in entrance of the world as sheltering the al-Qaida leaders who had been considered in Pakistan. They had been additionally embarrassed that the U.S. was in a position to, you recognize, efficiently full this very subtle army mission to take al-Zawahiri off the battlefield,” stated Kaine.

Senator Kaine stated the mission might complicate the Taliban’s willingness to assist get Afghani and Americans out of Afghanistan. Additionally, Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) stated whereas President Biden deserves credit score for taking out al-Zawahiri, the resurgence of al-Qaida within the area was foreseeable and avoidable.

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