Durbin: Al-Zawahiri Is Dead And The World Is Safer Because Of It
Durbin applauded President Biden’s mission that killed the al-Qaeda leader
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) applauded the death of al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri, who was targeted by a U.S. drone strike. Al-Zawahiri, one of the world’s most wanted terrorists, helped orchestrate the September 11th, 2001, attack that claimed the lives of 3,000 Americans. Al-Zawahiri had been the head of al-Qaeda since President Obama’s similarly successful targeting of Bin Laden 11 years ago. He had been rumored variously to be hiding in the tribal areas of Pakistan or inside Afghanistan.
Durbin said, “At 6:18 a.m. this past Sunday morning in a wealthy neighborhood in Kabul, Afghanistan two U.S. Hellfire missiles delivered justice, at last, to al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri. Al-Zawahiri is dead, and the world is safer because of it. He was a despicable man who brought horrific suffering to countless numbers of people, innocent people throughout the world… He claimed to act on behalf of Islam, yet his hands were stained with the blood of innocents, including countless Muslims.”
Durbin applauded President Biden’s leadership, the C.I.A, and the U.S. intelligence community’s dedication to finding Al-Zawahiri. He also reiterated his support to withdraw troops from Afghanistan one year ago a deadline set by then-President Trump and one that President Biden inherited.
“President Biden also deserves great credit. At least three U.S. Presidents hunted him down; Joe Biden’s Administration finally succeeded in ridding the world of this terrible person. The war in Afghanistan was America’s longest war by far. Twenty bloody years,” Durbin said. “Donald Trump set the deadline to end that war a decision that Joe Biden inherited and America completed one year ago this month. I supported the decision to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan. At the time, President Biden and military leaders warned extremists not to confuse the withdrawal of American boots on the ground with any lessening of our commitment to the fight against terrorism. The death of Zawahiri is proof that those who harm U.S. citizens, U.S. troops, and U.S. interests will find no safe quarter in this world.”
Video of Durbin’s floor speech is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s floor speech is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s floor speech is available here for TV Stations.
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