WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:
“The elimination of Al Qaeda’s al-Zawahri is welcome news.  He was Osama bin Laden’s second-in-command during 9/11 and took over as the head of Al Qaeda after bin Laden’s death.  From the bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa to organizing terrorist attacks around the world and calling for the kidnapping of Western tourists, al-Zawahri inflicted suffering on countless innocent victims.  This strike is a significant blow to Al Qaeda and demonstrates the United States’ enduring commitment to hunt down terrorists, degrade their capabilities, and bring the perpetrators of 9/11 to justice.
“I salute the national security professionals involved in this operation for their skill and persistence, and for their efforts to protect innocent bystanders and prevent civilian casualties. 
“We must continue our coordinated effort to defeat Al Qaeda and deny them financing, recruiting tools, and safe haven.  Terrorist groups remain a deadly threat around the globe.  Even as we focus on strategic competition with near-peer rivals, we must continue to hone our counterterrorism approach with allies and partners.”