The United States killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. President Biden confirmed the elimination of one of the most wanted people on the planet.

Zawahiri, who recently turned 71, was in hiding in Kabul. He was killed in an airstrike using two Hellfire missiles. The strike was sanctioned by Joe Biden after meetings with his cabinet and key advisers.

High-ranking figures of the Taliban protested in connection with the interference of the US military in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. Apparently, they knew about the exact location of Zawahiri and even took steps to hide his remains after the elimination. No members of the Zawahiri family were reportedly injured during the airstrike.

Zawahiri was Osama bin Laden's personal physician and became his successor after his death.  He was considered a co-organizer of the events of September 11, 2001.

The US State Department offered a $25 million reward for information leading directly to Zawahiri's arrest.  With his death, an entire era ended.

For the Afghan authorities, getting rid of such an annoying person to the West will probably ease the path to international recognition