Rumoured dead, Al-Qaida chief seen on 9/11 anniversary video

Beirut, September 12

Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri appeared in a new video marking the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, months after rumours spread that he was dead.

The SITE Intelligence Group that monitors jihadist websites said the video was released on Saturday. In it, al-Zawahiri said “Jerusalem will never be judaised” and praised Al-Qaida attacks, including the one that targeted Russian troops in Syria in January. SITE said al-Zawahiri also noted the US military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war. It said his comments did not necessarily indicate a recent recording, as the withdrawal agreement with the Taliban was signed in February 2020.

Al-Zawahiri made no mention of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan and the capital Kabul last month, SITE added. But he did mention a January 1 attack that targeted Russian troops on the edge of the northern Syrian city of Raqqa. Rumours spread since late 2020 that al-Zawahiri had died from illness. Since then, no video or proof of life surfaced until Saturday.

“He could still be dead, though if so, it would have been at some point in or after January 2021,” tweeted Rita Katz, SITE’s director. Al-Zawahiri’s speech was recorded in a 61-minute video. — AP

Laden successor

• Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian, became leader of the Al-Qaida following the 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan, by US Navy SEALs
• Rumours have been spreading since late 2020 that al-Zawahiri had died from illness. Since then, no video related to him surfaced until Saturday
• In the video, al-Zawahiri can be heard saying, “Jerusalem will never be judaised”. He also praised Al-Qaida attacks

Gender-segregated varsities, say Taliban

Kabul: Women in Afghanistan can continue to study in universities, including at post-graduate levels, but classrooms will be gender-segregated and Islamic dress is compulsory, the higher education minister in the new Taliban government said on Sunday. Abdul Baqi Haqqani said the Taliban did not want to turn the clock 20 years back, but asserted boys and girls would not be allowed to study together. AP