Who was Ayman al-Sahwahiri? He was Osama bin Laden’s right-hand man right from the time of the September 2001 attacks. He succeeded bin Laden as al-Qaeda chief after his death. But his career as a jihadist is much longer: Al-Sahwahiri grew up in Cairo in a wealthy suburb and became a doctor. He initially joined the Muslim Brotherhood, but soon decided to take more radical paths. He was held responsible for the assassination of Egyptian President Sadat. He wanted to bring about an Islamist revolution.
How did he join the terrorist organization Al Qaeda? In Egypt, Ayman al-Sahwahiri failed in his intentions. He retired to Pakistan, where he prepared a new start, in the context of the Afghan war. In Pakistan, he tried to build up a jihadist army in training camps from fanatical young people who had traveled there. Here he came into contact with Osama Bin Laden. This pursued the same goals.
Legend:
Ayman al-Zawahiri (right) was considered the right-hand man of al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden and became his successor. The picture is from November 10, 2001.
Reuters
How was al-Sahwahiris reputation with Al-Qaeda? Although he lacked the charisma of Osama Bin Laden, Ayman al-Sahwahiri had strong credibility within the organization, largely because of his long career as a jihadist and thought leader of the terror movement. He was well respected by the young fanatics from the slums of the Arab world, even though he himself came from a very good family – like Osama bin Laden.
How are the Taliban in Afghanistan reacting to the killing of the al Qaeda chief? A Taliban spokesman confirmed the attack and condemned it as a “violation of international principles”.