Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has appeared in a pre-recorded video address marking the 11th anniversary of the assassination of his predecessor, Osama bin Laden, the Associated Press reported.

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Zawahiri himself said in the video that "US weakness" was the reason their ally Ukraine became a "victim" of the Russian invasion.

The 27-minute address was circulated yesterday by STI Intelligence Group, which is monitoring extremist activity.

The al-Qaeda leader appears sitting at a desk with books and weapons.

Calling for unity among Muslims, Zawahiri said the United States was in a state of weakness and decline, citing the aftermath of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks.

Bin Laden was the organizer of these attacks and financed them, the AP notes.

"This is where the United States is after its defeats in Iraq and Afghanistan, after the economic catastrophes caused by the 9/11 invasions, after the coronavirus pandemic, and after leaving its ally Ukraine to fall victim to the Russians," the al-Qaeda leader said.

Bin Laden was killed in a 2011 raid by US special forces against his hideout in Pakistan.

The whereabouts of Az Zawahiri are unknown.

He is wanted by the FBI, which has announced a $ 25 million reward for information that could lead to his arrest.

Al Qaeda chief arrested

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