Admin l Monday, December 19, 2016
WASHINGTON – The United States today confirmed that it has killed three al-Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan.The three killed according to the Department of Defence are Faruq al-Qatani the group’s emir for Eastern Afghanistan, Bilal al-Utabyi, al-Qatani’s deputy as well as Abd al-Wahid al-Junabi, a senior al-Qaida explosives expert.
In a statement, Pentagon’s spokesman, Peter Cook said they were killed in a precision strike carried out by the U. S. military in October 23, 2016 near Kunar, Afghanistan.
He said the deaths of these three al-Qaida leaders will significantly reduce the group’s ability to threaten the United States, interests and allies.
“This strike is further evidence that those who seek us harm are not beyond our reach”, he said in the statement.
“A precision airstrike carried out by the U.S. military on Oct. 23 near Kunar, Afghanistan, killed three senior al-Qaida leaders. Previously DoD disclosed that the strike eliminated Faruq al-Qatani the group’s emir for Eastern Afghanistan.
“The department has now determined the same strike also killed Bilal al-Utabyi, al-Qatani’s deputy as well as Abd al-Wahid al-Junabi, a senior al-Qaida explosives expert. All three were actively involved in carrying out and plotting terror attacks inside and outside Afghanistan.
“The deaths of these three al-Qaida leaders will significantly reduce the group’s ability to threaten the United States, our interests and our allies. This strike is further evidence that those who seek us harm are not beyond our reach”, the Department of Defense said.
