Ayman Al Zawahiri, the head of Al Qaeda, was murdered by a drone strike: relatives of 9/11 react

On Special Report, national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin discusses the successful American mission in Afghanistan.

NEW Fox News articles can now be heard on audio! Despite praising the weekend killing of al Qaeda leader Ayman Al Zawahiri in Afghanistan, 9/11 advocacy groups and families argue that more must be done to hold the conspirators accountable.

According to a senior administration official, the U.S. carried out a counterterrorism operation against “a significant al Qaeda target in Afghanistan” when they verified Zawahri’s death to Fox News.

Osama bin Laden and Ayman Al Zawahiri in

FILE - Osama bin Laden, left, and Ayman Al Zawahiri.

FILE. Editor of the Ausaf Newspaper for the Daily Dawn, Hamid Mir (Handout via Reuters)

The grassroots group 9/11 Justice, which is made up of 9/11 survivors, first responders, and family members of those who perished on that day, expressed their gratitude to President Biden for this most recent triumph in the war on terrorism.

9/11 Justice said in a statement made available to Fox News Digital that “this is a big step forward and is particularly meaningful to the 9/11 community as we continue our years-long quest for justice and accountability.”

The group also praised Biden for releasing classified information about Saudi Arabia’s role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

President Biden is urged by 9/11 Justice to continue supporting the 9/11 community and all those seeking justice by holding Saudi Arabia accountable for the 9/11 crimes.

This image taken from a video issued by As-Sahab, al Qaeda's media branch, on April 5, 2022, shows al Qaeda leader Ayman Al Zawahiri speaking.

On April 5, 2022, As-Sahab, the media arm of al Qaeda, released this image of al Qaeda chief Ayman Al Zawahiri speaking. (AP via As-Sahab)

Terry Strada, national chair of 9/11 Families United, expressed her gratitude for the efforts and sacrifices made by the military, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement in eliminating these threats.

But she added that Biden needed to hold the Saudi oligarchs accountable for funding the “death of thousands on September 11, 2001.”

She claimed that rather than being targeted by drones, the financiers were greeted with fist pumps and welcomed at golf clubs. “We must hold everyone accountable if we are serious about accountability.”

Former President George W. Bush’s senior adviser Brad Blakeman, whose nephew was a first responder murdered on 9/11, praised the Biden administration for eliminating Zawahiri.
“It took a long day to arrive. If we had the chance, it should have been done a long time ago “said Blakeman.

“Why does the United States consistently strike against terrorists when they are being housed in independent nations like Afghanistan and Pakistan in the instance of (Osama) bin Laden truly annoys me. Why do these nations allow these murderers and terrorists to live in safety? “asked he. So, even while I applaud the U.S. for its courageous action, I’m furious that these nations are sheltering such despicable individuals.

FILE - A fiery blast rocks the south tower of the World Trade Center as the hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the building on Sept. 11, 2001, in New York City.

FILE – On September 11, 2001, in New York City, a hijacked United Airlines flight from Boston crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center, causing a huge explosion. Getty Images/Spencer Platt )

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum’s president and CEO, Alice M. Greenwald, stated that Zawahiris’ passing “demonstrates how the 9/11 story continues to evolve, even 21 years later, and reinforces the need for us to keep educating younger generations about the continued impact of 9/11 on the world we live in today.”

Zawahiri, who served as bin Laden’s deputy from 1998 until his death in 2011, is the person who most significantly formed al Qaeda. Together with bin Laden, he carried out the worst attack on American soil in history—the 9/11 suicide hijackings—by turning the jihadi movement’s weapons against the country.

This report was made possible in part by The Associated Press.
Fox News Digital correspondent Bradford Betz works there. Send story ideas to and on Twitter: @Bradford_Betz .

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