Al-Zawahiri's Death: US Issues Worldwide Alert For Its Citizens Travelling Abroad

In 2011, he became the head of al-Qaeda. He is believed to be behind the terrorist attacks in many places around the world.

A still file image from a video released by Al-Qaeda’s media arm as-Sahab and obtained on June 8, 2011 courtesy of the Site Intelligence Group shows Ayman al-Zawahiri (Source: File photo/AFP)

New Delhi: The US State Department on Wednesday issued a global alert after the death of Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced that "most wanted terrorist Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed and brought to justice in a drone strike in Kabul," as reported by news agency PTI. Ayman al-Zawahiri, who took over the command of the terrorist organisation Al Qaeda after Osama bin Laden, was killed by the US on July 31 in an anti-terrorist attack.

Zawahiri played a key role in the 9/11 attacks and later formed the group's regional affiliate in the Indian subcontinent. He was killed in a drone strike carried out by the CIA on Saturday at a house in a posh locality in the Afghan capital Kabul.

In 2011, he became the head of al-Qaeda. He is believed to be behind the terrorist attacks in many places around the world.

"Following al-Zawahiri’s death, supporters of al-Qaeda, or its affiliated terrorist organisations, may seek to attack US facilities, personnel, or citizens,” the alert issued by the Department of State said.

As terrorist attacks often occur without warning, US residents are firmly urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness when travelling abroad, it added.

The Department of State stays worried about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other horrific acts against US residents and interests overseas, it said.

Zawahiri was born on 19 June 1951 in an affluent Egyptian family. Zawahiri, who spoke Arabic and French, was a surgeon by profession, becoming 
a member of the Muslim Brotherhood at the age of 14. In 1978, he married Azza Ahmed Nowari, a Philosophy student at Cairo University.