The US has carried out precision strikes against two top al-Qaeda leaders, including one involved in plotting deadly attacks against American forces, in Afghanistan, the Pentagon has said. The US forces launched the strikes on October 23 in Kunar Province, targeting Faruq al-Qatani and Bilal al-Utabi, two of al-Qaeda’s most senior leaders in Afghanistan, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said on Thursday.
The US military believes the leaders were killed, but has not yet confirmed whether the strikes were successful.
“We are still assessing the results of the strikes, but their demise would represent a significant blow to the terrorist group’s presence in Afghanistan, which remains committed to facilitating attacks against the United States, our allies, and partners,” he said.