Published 20:26 IST, September 14th 2019
Hamza Bin Laden, son of Osama declared dead in Afghan-Pak region
On Saturday, the United States of America President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Hamza Bin Laden, the Al Qaeda leader in a counter-terrorism operation.
Advertisement
On Saturday, the United States of America President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Hamza Bin Laden. He was a high-ranking Al Qaeda member and son of Osama Bin Laden. According to President Trump, he was killed in a US counter-terrorism operation in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. He opined that not only did this deprive Al Qaeda of important leadership skills, but also undermined important operational activities of the terrorist group. The US President stated that Hamza was responsible for planning and dealing with several terrorist organizations. However, he did not specify the exact location where Hamza was killed.
Confusion over Hamza's status
In late August, US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper declared that Hamza had been killed. Speaking to a private US news network, Esper remained tightlipped on being asked about further details. Citing US intelligence officials, US media had reported that Hamza had died sometime in the last two years in an operation involving the US. But, President Trump and other officials refused to confirm or deny the reports. Aged about 30 years old, Hamza was the 15th son of the Al Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden. The US State Department while announcing a bounty on him, wrote that he was 'emerging as a leader in the Al Qaeda franchise'. It also stated that he had married the daughter of Abu Muhammad Al-Masri, who was indicted for his alleged involvement in the 1998 bombings of the US Embassy in Tanzania and Kenya.
The last few years of Hamza Bin Laden
At the time of the September 11 attacks in 2001, Hamza was at his father's side in Afghanistan before spending time with him in Pakistan. When Osama Bin Laden was killed by US Special forces, his son was not found in the compound. He was believed to be in house arrest in Iran. In 2015, Hamza called for attacks against US, French and Israeli interests. His last known statement came in March 2018, where he called on the people of the Arabian peninsula to revolt against the current regime in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia revoked Hamza's citizenship.
19:33 IST, September 14th 2019