The leader of the al-Qaeda terrorist network, Ayman al-Zawahiri, was killed in Afghanistan in a drone attack carried out by the United States, American media reported, cited by world agencies.

According to a Reuters source, the operation was conducted by the CIA in the capital Kabul, BTA informs.

It is the biggest blow to al-Qaeda since the killing of its founder, Osama bin Laden, in 2011.

Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the ruling Taliban in Kabul, confirmed that a drone strike had been carried out in Afghanistan and condemned it, calling it a violation of "international principles".

The White House confirmed that a successful counter-terrorist operation was carried out in Afghanistan, stressing that it did not result in civilian casualties, the Associated Press noted.

Afghanistan

Al Qaeda

Ayman I Zawahiri