In an interview with PBS’ “NJ Spotlight News” that aired Tuesday, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said former al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was in Kabul The presence “confirms that Al Qaeda’s safe havens are still and well in Afghanistan. But it also confirms to Al Qaeda operatives that they are not out of reach with us.”
Menendez said: “Well, Zawahiri’s death is a huge blow to al-Qaeda. He’s the head of it now. He’s bin Laden’s number two. Zawahiri’s hand There’s a lot of American blood on it. So, I’m glad he met his creator. So it also shows that even if we’re not in Afghanistan like we used to be, we have enough money, in Afghanistan or elsewhere, to track down those Terrorists who have acted against America. I think this is a huge blow for al Qaeda, a huge victory. I salute the execution of the Biden administration. It shows that we still have access to countries, including places like Afghanistan place to carry out our counterterrorism efforts.”
Host Brianna Vannozzi then asked: “Senator, what does this say to you or signal to you that this terrorist leader lives in a safe house in the capital, a wealthy area, In a building with Taliban ties, a year after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan?”
Menendez responded: “This proves that former President Trump’s agreement with the Taliban that they would not allow Afghanistan to be a safe haven for al-Qaeda is a lie. Because you can’t have al-Qaeda leaders living in Kabul, And advises you not to know that is happening. So it confirms that Al Qaeda safe havens are still there and intact in Afghanistan. But it also confirms to Al Qaeda operatives that they are not out of reach with us.”
Follow Ian Henchett on Twitter @ianhanchett
