Al-Shabaab chief in Somalia claims Ayman Al-Zawahiri is still alive

Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri could still be alive according to the latest audio released by Al-Shabaab boss Ahmed Omar Diriye, aka Abu Ubaidah, who is believed to be his close ally and associate of the East African region.

In updated audio released by Al-Shabaab proxy media teams, Ahmed Omar [Abu Ubaidah] seems to suggest that Ayman Al-Zawahiri is alive, despite reports that the Al Qaeda leader may have died in October 2020, after reports of ill health that were widely published around the world.

Al-Shabaab chief is heard praising his al-Qaeda boss, vowing the network will continue to fight for its space in the world in addition to punishing those who inflict pain and harm on their people in the world for decades now.

He points to America as Al Qaeda’s “greatest enemy”, adding that “together with our leader, we will make sure they are defeated”. It is not known when the audio was recorded, but the Al-Shabaab leader, who is also said to be struggling with health issues, also released the names of the fighters killed in the raid on Manda airfield which happened exactly one year ago.

Al-Shabaab pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda, a terrorist network whose leader Osman Bin Laden was killed by the US Navy Seals in 2012, 2010. The group began fighting in Somalia in 2008 and since then it targeted thousands of innocent civilians. and the country’s security forces.

Source: Axadle Times