Tight-lipped Taliban leaders gather after U.S. says Zawahiri killed

By Jibran Ahmad and Mohammad Yunus Yawar

KABUL (Reuters) – Prime leaders of Afghanistan’s Taliban had been holding discussions on Wednesday about how to answer a U.S. drone strike in Kabul that the USA stated killed al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, three sources within the group stated.

America killed Zawahiri with a missile fired from a drone whereas he stood on a balcony at his Kabul hideout on Sunday, U.S. officers stated, the most important blow to the militants since Osama bin Laden was shot useless greater than a decade in the past.

The Taliban haven’t confirmed Zawahiri’s loss of life.

Officers of the Islamist group, long-time allies of al Qaeda, initially confirmed the Sunday drone strike however stated the home that was hit was empty.

“There are conferences at a really excessive degree on whether or not they need to react to the drone strike, and in case they resolve to, then what’s the correct approach,” a Taliban chief who holds an essential place in Kabul informed Reuters.

The official, who stated there had been prolonged management discussions for 2 days, declined to be recognized. He didn’t affirm that Zawahiri was in the home that the missile struck.

How the Taliban react may have vital repercussions because the group seeks worldwide legitimacy, and entry to billions of {dollars} in frozen funds, following their defeat of a U.S.-backed authorities a 12 months in the past.

Zawahiri, an Egyptian physician, was carefully concerned within the Sept. 11, 2001, assaults on the USA and was one of many world’s most needed males.

His loss of life in Kabul raises questions on whether or not he acquired sanctuary from the Taliban, who had assured the USA as a part of a 2020 settlement on the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces that they’d not harbour different militant teams.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated the Taliban had “grossly violated” the settlement by internet hosting and sheltering Zawahiri.

Outdoors a decent circle of high Taliban leaders, group members appeared in the dead of night about whether or not Zawahiri was really in Kabul, not to mention his destiny.

One other Taliban official confirmed the high-level conferences however stated he didn’t know what was being mentioned and he didn’t consider Zawahiri was in the home.

Suhail Shaheen, the designated Taliban consultant to the United Nations, who is predicated in Doha, informed journalists he had acquired no phrase on the Taliban place.

“I’m awaiting particulars and response from Kabul,” he informed reporters in a message.

(Reporting Jibran Ahmad in Peshawar and Mohammad Yunus Yawar in Kabul; Writing by Gibran Peshimam; Enhancing by Robert Birsel)