Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s announcement that it successfully carried out a counterterrorism operation against Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda, through a drone strike in Afghanistan: 

“I commend the Biden Administration on its successful operation in eliminating Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda’s top leader and one of the key planners of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and a dangerous enemy of the United States.  

“Zawahiri’s death represents a major victory in the fight against terrorism and we owe a debt of gratitude to the many dedicated national security professionals across Administrations who have worked tirelessly to protect the American people from al-Qaeda and other terrorist threats.   

“The operation carried out by the Biden Administration should serve as a reminder that U.S. counterterrorism capabilities continue to be far reaching and effective in reaching targets, including in Afghanistan.”

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