The US has killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike in Afghanistan last weekend.

President Joe Biden has confirmed a CIA-led counterterrorism operation in Kabul was successful and left no civilian casualties.

He said al-Zawahri was Osama bin Laden’s “number-two man, his deputy” at the time of the September 11 attack on the US.

“Since the United States delivered justice on bin Laden 11 years ago, al-Zawahri has been the leader of Al-Qaeda,” Mr Biden said.

“Now, justice has been delivered and this terrorist is no more.”

The Biden administration closed the US Embassy in Kabul and withdrew all military assets from Afghanistan on August 31 last year, ending the nation’s longest war.

Happening Now: President Biden addresses the nation on a successful counterterrorism operation. https://t.co/JiYnzn5TUj

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 1, 2022

Image: Jim Watson-Pool/Getty Images