Afghanistan: Taliban have not found body of Ayman al-Zawahiri, will continue probe

The Taliban said this week that they have not yet found the body of al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who was killed by a US drone strike last month. The insurgent group said the investigation into the matter will continue.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Thursday that the insurgent group has not yet found the body of Zawahiri, several weeks after the US said they killed the al Qaeda leader in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul. Mujahid added that investigations are continuing into the matter.

Zawahiri was standing on the balcony of his residence in Kabul when he was killed by a US drone strike. The killing of Zawahiri marks another blow to the al Qaeda militant group since US Navy SEALS killed Osama bin Laden in a raid more than 10 years ago.

At the time of Zawahiri’s killing, Taliban leaders were reportedly discussing how to respond to the drone strike by the US on the al Qaeda leader. The group also did not confirm Zawahiri’s death at the time.

A senior official told Reuters that Washington will continue to target al Qaeda in Afghanistan to make sure the country would not serve as a refuge for “terrorists plotting against the United States.” The official also said the administration of US President Joe Biden would still engage with the Taliban when it advances US interests.

The Taliban’s reaction to Zawahiri’s killing would have significant repercussions as the insurgent group is looking to be recognized by the international community and gain access the billions of foreign-held assets.

Meanwhile, Mujahid also said during a news conference Thursday that the flooding in Afghanistan this month killed over 182 people in the central and eastern Afghan areas, with 250 people injured.

The rains destroyed over 3,100 homes and thousands of livestock were also killed by the calamity, further worsening the country’s economic and humanitarian crisis.

Mujahid called on the international community to provide assistance to the country.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan cannot manage the floods alone. We ask the world, international organizations, and Islamic countries to help us,” said Mujahid.

Afghanistan has been through several natural disasters this year, from drought to an earthquake back in June that killed over 1,000 people.