According to a UN report, a significant clan of the Al-Qaedalinkresides in the Afghanistan and Pakistan border region, including thegroup’s elusive leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who is “probably alive but toofrail to be featured in propaganda,”.
A huge portion of Al-Qaeda fighters and other extremist elements alignedwith the Taliban are located in various parts of Afghanistan, it added.
The report stated that Al-Qaeda continued to suffer attrition during theperiod -between May 2020 and April 2021 – losing many of their seniorfigures.
It said Al-Qaeda’s strategy for the future is believed to be maintainingits traditional safe haven in Afghanistan for the residency of the Al-Qaedacore leadership. The extremist organization is reported to number in therange of several dozens to 500 persons.
The majority of the tribe is of non-Afghan origin, consisting mainly ofnationals from North Africa and the Middle East.
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“The primary component of the Taliban in dealing with Al-Qaeda is theHaqqani Network. Ties between the two groups remain close, based onideological alignment, relationships forged through common struggle andintermarriage,” the report said.
Zawahri, the long-time Egyptian militant leader and Osama bin Laden’snumber two, was presumed to be deadlinkwithrumours circulating online and reports suggesting he died of naturalcauses. However, the news had not been confirmed.
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