publish time

14/09/2019

author name Arab Times

publish time

14/09/2019

author name Arab Times
FILE - In this image from video released by the CIA, Hamza bin Laden, the son of of the late al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is seen as an adult at his wedding. The White House says Hamza bin Laden has been killed in a U.S. counterterrorism operation in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. A White House statement gives no further details, such as when Hamza bin Laden was killed or how the United States confirmed his death. (CIA via AP)

WASHINGTON, Sept 14, (RTRS): Hamza bin Laden, a son of slain al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and himself a notable figure in the militant group, was killed in a US counter-terrorism operation, the White House said on Saturday.

A White House statement said the operation took place in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. “The loss of Hamza bin Ladin not only deprives al-Qaeda of important leadership skills and the symbolic connection to his father, but undermines important operational activities of the group,” the statement said. A US official told Reuters Hamza had been killed months ago near the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Trump was briefed at the time on the operation. The US government assessed that Hamza, believed to be about 30 years old, had succeeded his father as the head of what remains of al-Qaeda, the official said.