PEORIA – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on the U.S. drone strike that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri:

"America is safer with al-Qaeda terrorist leader Ayman al-Zawahiri gone, and I applaud the members of our Intelligence Community who acted to take him out. For decades, al-Zawahiri worked alongside Osama bin Laden to carry out attacks on American citizens, including the 9/11 attacks. The work done to end al-Zawahiri’s terror reign is a testament to the United States’ resolve to pursue those who threaten our interests and our citizens at home and abroad. We are grateful to our U.S. Military and Intelligence Community personnel, and I will continue to support their work and resources on the House Intelligence Committee.

"Unfortunately, this mission also serves as a reminder that al-Qaeda is not gone from Afghanistan as President Biden claimed last year following his disastrous withdrawal. Rising threats from al-Qaeda and other terror organizations in the region must be confronted by the Administration in consultation with Congress to keep America safe."

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