Three sources in the Afghan Taliban said that the movement’s leaders held discussions, on Wednesday, about how to respond to a US drone strike in Kabul, which the United States said had killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
US officials said the United States killed al-Zawahiri with a drone missile while he was standing on the balcony of a building where he was hiding in Kabul on Sunday, in the biggest blow to the militants since Osama bin Laden was shot dead more than a decade ago. The Taliban has yet to confirm Zawahiri’s death.
A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that Washington will continue to target al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, to ensure that the country does not turn again into a haven for “terrorists who plot against the United States.”
“We will remain vigilant and will take all necessary measures, as we did this week,” the official said. He added that the administration of US President Joe Biden will continue to deal with the Taliban “in times when the movement can help advance American interests.”
Officials with the group, a long-time ally of al-Qaeda, confirmed the drone attack on Sunday, but said the house that was targeted was empty.
“There are very high-level meetings about whether they should respond to the drone strike, and if they decide to do so, what is the appropriate way,” a Taliban leader who currently holds an important position in Kabul told Archyde.com.
The official, who asked not to be identified, added that lengthy discussions took place at the senior leadership level over a period of two days. He did not confirm that al-Zawahiri was in the house that was targeted by the drone’s missile.
The Taliban’s response could have major repercussions as the group seeks international recognition of its legitimacy and unlocks billions of dollars in frozen funds, after it defeated a US-backed government a year ago.
Another Taliban official confirmed the high-level meetings, but said he did not know what was being discussed, and did not believe that al-Zawahiri was at home.
Earlier, the Taliban condemned, on Tuesday, the targeting by a drone of Al-Zawahiri’s house in Sherpur district, in the center of the Afghan capital, Kabul.
The Taliban considered that the US operation is a violation of the country’s sovereignty, as it contradicts Washington’s interests in the region.
Photo from a clip of Ayman al-Zawahiri
For his part, US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, said on Tuesday, The Taliban “flagrantly” violated the Doha agreement By hosting and harboring al-Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri.
Earlier, US President Biden said that the United States Al-Zawahiri was killed in a strike in Afghanistan over the weekendIt is the biggest blow to the militant group since the killing of its founder Osama bin Laden in 2011.
“In the face of the Taliban’s unwillingness or inability to live up to their commitments, we will continue to support the Afghan people with robust humanitarian assistance and advocate for the protection of human rights, especially the rights of women and girls,” Blinken said in a statement.
A senior US official revealed that Hellfire missiles were used in the operation to target al-Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri, noting that the operation was carried out by air without ground forces.
The official confirmed that al-Zawahiri was killed during the raid, without any civilian casualties.