Where Has The Al Qaeda Leader Been Hiding For 18 Years?

Nov. 10, 2001: Usama bin Laden sits with his adviser and purported successor Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian linked to the Al Qaeda network, during an interview with Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir (not pictured) in an image supplied by the respected Dawn newspaper. (Reuters)

Hollie McKay, Fox News: Hunting Ayman Al Zawahiri: Where has the Al Qaeda leader been hiding for 18 years?

Nestled alongside ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi in the deepest ranks of the depraved, Al Qaeda’s chief Ayman Al Zawahiri is one of the two most wanted men in the world – both have a $25 million U.S. bounty on their heads.

But while much has been speculated about when it comes to the barbaric Iraqi man Al Baghdadi, little is known about the Al Qaeda commander who has evaded his big bounty since it was installed immediately following the September 11 attacks.

“Zawahiri was a conspirator of the 9/11 attacks, and like other conspirators, will always be wanted by the United States,” said Rita Katz, Executive Director of the SITE Intelligence Group. “Zawahiri has framed himself more as the wiser alternative to Baghdadi and ISIS, who he characterizes as naïve and irresponsible.”

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WNU Editor: He is in Pakistan.

Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri Tells Jihadists In Syria To 'Unite Or Die'

Reuters: Al Qaeda chief tells jihadist fighters in Syria: Unite or die

Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri urged rival jihadist fighters in Syria to unite or risk death but again decried fellow Sunni Muslim militants Islamic State as "extremists" in an audio recording posted online on Sunday.

As successor to Osama bin Laden, Zawahri has the allegiance of al Qaeda branches in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. But the group's dominance is being challenged by Islamic State, which controls territory in Syria and Iraq and followings in Libya and Yemen.

In Syria, al Qaeda offshoot Nusra Front and Islamic State are the two most powerful groups fighting government forces. Once a single group, they split in 2013, largely due to a power struggle among leaders.

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WNU Editor: Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri is no fan of the Islamic State .... Al Qaeda chief calls ISIS 'extremists' in new recording (FOX News).

More News On Al Qaeda Leader Ayman al-Zawahri Telling Jihadists In Syria To 'Unite Or Die'

Al Qaeda chief tells Syrian rebels: Unite or die -- AP
Syria faces being over-run by TWO Islamic States as Al-Qaeda leader grants permission for the group to establish its own rival 'caliphate' to ISIS -- Daily Mail
Al Qaeda Leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri Urges Unity Among Syrian Jihadists, Renews Criticism Of ISIS ‘Renegades’ -- IBTimes
Al-Qaida Leader Breaks Silence, Calls For ‘Unity’ Among Terrorist Groups In Syria -- Daily Caller
Al-Qaeda leader urges Syria rebels to 'unite or face death' -- Middle East Eye
Al-Qaeda Leader Calls On Muslims Worldwide To Fight In Syria -- Vocativ
Al-Qaeda leader gives blessing for terror group to form own 'Islamic state' in Syria -- The Telegraph
Ayman al Zawahiri discusses al Qaeda’s goal of building an Islamic emirate in Syria -- Long War Journal

Al Qaeda Is In A Mess

Photo: Ayman al Zawahiri. Wikipedia

Go Home Zawahiri, You’re Drunk -- Mark Stout, War On The Rocks

Ayman al Zawahiri’s latest statement, issued earlier this month and entitled “General Guidelines for Jihad” is a mess. And so is he. The guidelines illustrate two things: al Qaeda does not have and has never really had a feasible concept for conducting global insurgency and al Qaeda is now reduced to running out in front of the parade in order claim leadership of the Sunni jihadist movement.

The first sections of Zawahiri’s statement are old hat. He says that Al Qaeda’s jihad involves pursuing a strategy of exhaustion against the United States “to exhaust her and bleed her to death, so that she meets the fate of the former Soviet Union and collapses under her own weight as a result of her military, human, and financial losses.” As always for al Qaeda Central, the focus on the United States is instrumental: Weaken the United States enough and “its grip on our lands will weaken and its allies will begin to fall one after another.”

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My Comment: Al Qaeda and their affiliates may not have an overall plan to conduct a global insurgency .... but their actions are still causing misery and mayhem in many of the world's trouble spots.

Did Egyptian President Morsi Meet Al Qaeda Leader Ayman Zawahiri In Pakistan?

Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi. Reuters

Report: Morsi To Smuggle Al-Qaeda’s Zawahiri Into Egypt -- Human Events

According to a new report from the Arabic-language website Misr al-Gidida [translated for this story by the author], during Egyptian president Muhammad Morsi’s recent visit to Islamabad, Pakistan, he secretly met with Ayman Zawahiri, the leader of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda, and promised to smuggle the Egyptian-born jihadi back home. The Arabic report cites a Pakistani source saying that the meeting was clandestinely arranged, away from the delegation accompanying Morsi, and “facilitated by elements of Pakistani intelligence (ISI) and influential members of the international organization, the Muslim brotherhood.”

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My Comment: This story has not been collaborated by other sources .... until something more definite is revealed, this story will be treated with a certain degree of skepticism. As to what is my take .... Egyptian President Morsi has been known to give comfort and support to well known terrorist leaders .... so it is possible that such a meeting did take place.

But I personally hope for Egypt's sake that this story is not true. Ayman Zawahiri was Osama Bin laden's number two for years, and has been directly implicated in being involved in 9/11. Any Egyptian involvement to shelter him will be perceived by the American people as a grievous affront to justice and the rule of law .... and there will be dire consequences.

Al Qaeda's New Leader Calls For U.S. Attacks

9/11 Message? New Al Qaeda Leader Calls for U.S. Attacks -- ABC News

In a video released three weeks before the 9/11 anniversary, new al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri urges followers to continue to target the United States.

Dressed in white, with his automatic weapon leaning against his left side, Zawahiri urges "Muslim brothers everywhere" to pursue America in the 12-minute video.

"America today is staggering," said Zawahiri. "Hunt her down wherever you may encounter her. Hunt her down to cut what is left of her corruption's tail."

Zawahiri took over leadership of al Qaeda following the May 2 U.S. raid which killed bin Laden in Pakistan.

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More News On Al Qaeda's New Leader calling For Terror Strikes Against The U.S.

Al Qaeda chief urges attacks on "criminal" U.S. -- CBS
Al-Qaeda chief urges attacks on 'criminal' America -- USA Today
Zawahiri to Muslims: target US, avenge Bin Laden -- AFP

My Comment: 3 weeks before the anniversary of 9/11 .... should we be worried?

Ayman al-Zawahiri: Al Qaeda's New Leader -- News Roundup June 17, 2011

Pentagon: US Will Capture and Kill New Al-Qaida Leader -- Voice of America

Top Pentagon officials say the U.S. military will capture and kill al-Qaida’s new leader and that he will meet the same fate as Osama bin Laden.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told reporters at the Pentagon Ayman al-Zawahri will face challenges as al-Qaida’s new leader, saying he lacks what Gates referred to as bin Laden’s “peculiar charisma.”

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More News On Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al Qaeda's New Leader

US vows to hunt down, kill new Al-Qaeda leader -- Yahoo News/AFP
Zawahri rise as al Qaeda chief "not surprising" - W.House -- Reuters
Gates: Al-Zawahri is no bin Laden -- USA Today
Bin Laden deputy Zawahri to lead al Qaeda -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Al-Zawahri succeeds bin Laden as al-Qaida leader -- Yahoo News/AP
Al-Zawahri succeeds bin Laden as al-Qaida's leader -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News
Bin Laden’s deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, takes over Al Qaeda -- Toronto Star
Ayman al-Zawahiri: from doctor to Osama bin Laden's successor -- The Guardian
Ayman al-Zawahiri - from medical doctor to al Qaeda chief -- Deutsche Welle
Al-Qaeda's new leader could launch 'big' attack on West -- The Telegraph
Al-Zawahiri: Al-Qaeda chief overshadowed by Bin Laden -- BBC
Al-Zawahri may not be able to revive Qaida, say experts -- Times of India
Analysis: Al-Zawahiri takes al Qaeda's helm when influence is waning -- CNN
Al-Zawahiri: New Al Qaeda Leader Obvious Choice, But Strategy Remains Unclear -- Marcus Baram, Huffpost World

Ayman al Zawahiri Takes Control of Al Qaeda

Bin Laden’s No. 2, Zawahri, Takes Control of Al Qaeda -- New York Times

Ayman al-Zawahri, Al Qaeda’s No. 2, is assuming the leadership of the organization, less than two months after Osama bin Laden was killed by American Special Operations forces, the group said in a statement posted online Thursday.

Mr. Zawahri, 59, an Egyptian who long served as second in command to Bin Laden, had been expected to inherit leadership of the terrorist organization after Bin Laden’s death in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2.

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More News On Ayman al-Zawahiri To Lead Al Qaeda

Al-Zawahri succeeds bin Laden as al-Qaida leader -- Yahoo News/AP
Al-Qaeda names Zawahiri to succeed bin Laden -- Yahoo News/AFP
Bin Laden deputy Zawahri takes over as Qaeda leader -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Al Qaeda Names Osama Bin Laden Successor -- ABC News
Al-Qaida Appoints Egyptian Zawahri as New Leader -- Voice of America
Al-Qaida Makes Al-Zawahri It New Leader -- NPR
Al Qaeda Appoints Zawahiri As Its New Leader -- New York Magazine
Zawahri: Suburban doctor to chief of al Qaeda -- MSNBC
New al-Qaida leader mentored Osama bin Laden -- MSNBC
Ayman al-Zawahiri new al-Qaeda head: how does succession work? -- The Telegraph
Analysis: Zawahri seeks to rally embattled al Qaeda -- Reuters
Timeline: Messages attributed to al Qaeda's Zawahri -- Reuters
Al-Qaeda's new leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in his own words -- The Telegraph
Ayman al-Zawahiri in his own words -- BBC
Zawahiri statement: Selected quotes -- BBC
Ayman al-Zawahiri: new al-Qaida leader won't command instant loyalty -- Jason Burke, The Guardian
Profile: Ayman al-Zawahiri -- Al Jazeera

Ayman Al-Zawahiri Is Now The World's 'Number One Terrorist'

Ayman al-Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden attend a press conference in 1997 Photo: REX

Ayman Al-Zawahiri The World's 'Number One Terrorist' -- The Telegraph

Barack Obama's National Security Adviser has declared Ayman al-Zawahiri to be the world's "number one terrorist" but said al-Qaeda's long standing deputy lacked Osama bin Laden's charismatic appeal.

One week after bin Laden's death and with no successor yet named, the assessment will heighten speculation that al-Qaeda is heading for a leadership battle.

Tom Donilon said: "Our assessment is that he is not anywhere near the leader that Osama bin Laden was." He also said there was no evidence yet to suggest that Pakistani authorities were aware that bin Laden had set up home only 30 miles from the capital Islamabad.

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My Comment: Barack Obama's National Security Adviser declares that Ayman al-Zawahiri lacks charisma to lead Al Qaeda. Oh please .... Al Qaeda has nothing to do with charisma, and everything to do with its ideology.

News Roundup On Ayman al Zawahiri, Al Qaeda's #2

Osama bin Laden (L) sits with al-Qaida's top strategist and second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahri in this 2001 file photo. Photo: Reuters

Was Bin Laden Betrayed By His Right-Hand Man? Al Qaeda's Deputy Leader 'Led U.S. Troops To Pakistan Hideaway' -- Daily Mail

Osama Bin Laden's deputy led U.S. troops to the Al Qaeda leader's hideout so he could take over the terrorist group, it was claimed today.

Egyptian Ayman Al Zawahiri, who has been touted widely as the man who will succeed Bin Laden as the head of Al Qaeda, turned his back on his terrorist leader following a prolonged power struggle, according to a Saudi newspaper.

The plot to get rid of Bin Laden began when Zawahiri’s faction persuaded bin Laden to leave the protection of the tribal areas along the Afghan-Pakistan border.

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More News On Ayman al Zawahiri

Bin Laden raid intel yields leads on al Qaeda No. 2 al Zawahiri -- CBS News
Al-Zawahiri Likely bin Laden's Heir Apparent -- Voice of America
Osama bin Laden dead: Ayman al-Zawahiri could replace him as al Qaeda boss, on FBI Most Wanted list -- New York Daily News
Who will be America's next Most Wanted? -- Sydney Morning Herald
Ayman al-Zawahiri: How will he shape Al Qaeda? -- Dan Murphy, Christian
Will Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Bin Laden's Heir Apparent, Re-Shape Al Qaeda? -- Huffington Post

The Hunt For Al Qaeda's Number Two Leader Continues

Ayman al-Zawahiri

US Targeted Zawahiri During Past Raids In Pakistan -- Threat Matrix

The Associated Press reports on three US attempts to kill or capture Ayman al Zawahiri, al Qaeda's second-in-command. All three near-misses took place in northwestern Pakistan: the first in the city of Peshawar in 2003, the second in the tribal agencies of South Waziristan in 2004, and the third in Bajaur in 2006. Note that there hasn't been a report of a near-miss since January 2006. Here are the details from the AP report on the raids:

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More News On the Hunt For Ayman al Zawahiri

AP Exclusive: Close calls for al-Qaida's No. 2 -- AP
Close Calls for Al Qaeda's No. 2 -- ABC News/AP
U.S. came close to al Qaeda's number 2 -- CNN
AP Exclusive: Close calls for al-Qaida's No. 2 -- Jawa Report

My Comment: One day he will be in someone's cross-hairs .... and that will be the end of him.

Intelligence Agents Were Only A Few Hours Off In Capturing Or Killing Al Qaeda's Number 2

Osama Bin Laden And Al-Zawahiri

Close Calls For al-Qaida's No. 2 -- Stars And Stripes/AP

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The CIA has come closer to capturing or killing Osama bin Laden's top deputy than was previously known during the last nine years, The Associated Press has learned.

Tragically, the agency thought it had its best chance last year at a secret base in Afghanistan, but instead fell victim to a double agent's devastating suicide bombing.

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My Comment: Close .... very close .... but no cigar.

Al Qaeda No. 2 Hiding In Quetta

Al-Zawahiri and Osama Bin Laden

From The Washington Times:

Pakistani intelligence source reports al-Zawahiri's location.

Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's No. 2 leader, the most wanted terrorist after Osama bin Laden, with a $25 million bounty on his head, is holed up near Quetta, Pakistan, according to a highly placed Pakistani intelligence source.

The Egyptian-born radical is a master of disguise, a meticulous planner and the deadliest of terrorists. Yet Pakistani intelligence sources say he roams openly and with impunity in the border regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. While Predators continue to strike at a variety of key terror targets in that area, our source tells us that the CIA and other intelligence agencies cannot get al-Zawahiri, though they usually know for the most part where he is.

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My Comment: It appears that he is having a good time. Stories like this always makes my blood boil because you know that this mass murderer is protected by scores of sympathizers and supporter .... and nothing is being done about it.

Ayman al Zawahiri -- Reports And Commentary

Al-Zawahiri has been mistakenly reported killed before
on the Pakistan Afghanistan border Photo: AFP/GETTY

Analysis: Reports Of Zawahiri’s Death Are Based
On Suspect Sources -- Long War Journal

As Western and Pakistani intelligence sort through the fallout from the July 28 airstrike in South Waziristan, Pakistan, rumors are swirling that Ayman al Zawahiri, al Qaeda's second in command, was either killed or seriously wounded in the attack.

All of these rumors have been based on Pakistani intelligence sources, which makes the allegations suspect. Without confirmation from the US military or intelligence, the reports from Pakistan should be viewed with deep skepticism.

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More News On Ayman al Zawahiri

Pakistani Taliban denies Zawahri dead or hurt -- Washington Post
Pakistan says no clue on report of Zawahri's fate -- Washington Post
Pakistan says no information on Zawahiri report -- AFP
No evidence of al Qaeda No. 2's illness or death, U.S. says -- CNN
Pakistan: No information on Zawahiri -- Press TV
Pakistan says no evidence of al-Zawahiri's death or injury -- China View

CBS: Al-Qaida's al-Zawahiri may be dead -- Jerusalem Post
Al-Qaeda number two al-Zawahiri reported injured by US missile -- The Telegraph
Report: Al Qaeda No. 2 Zawahiri Injured, Possibly Killed -- FOX News
Al-Qaeda No.2 al-Zawahiri may be dead: report -- Press Trust Of India
Zawahiri critically injured or possibly dead: Report -- Times Of India
al Zawahiri Dead? Awaiting Confirmation al Qaeda Leader Killed In Air Strike -- National Terror Alert
CBS: Message indicates Zawahiri critically wounded, possibly dead -- Hot Air
Zawahiri Dead?! -- The Strata-Sphere
Is Zawahiri Wounded or Dead? -- Patterico's Pontifications
Report: Al Qaeda #2 Ayman al-Zawahiri Dead!?! -- The Java Report

Video: Al Qaeda No. 2 Dead? CBS




My Comment: The original report of al-Zawahiri's injury/death first originated from Pakistani sources. These same sources are now stating that they do not have any information pertaining to al-Zawahiri being injured in an air strike.

The view from the talking heads on al-Zawahiri breaks into two distinct groups. The first group states that there is no evidence that al-Zawahiri was injured or kill from an air-strike. The second group are reporting that there are reports that al-Zawahiri has been injured or killed from an air-strike.

Update: The Pakistani Taliban deny that al-Zawahiri is dead or injured. They are in control of the area and would know who was injured or killed in any air-strike.

My opinion .... al-Zawahiri is alive and kicking somewhere, and he is having a laugh at our expense.