9 Oct
Afghanistan's government has announced it has killed a top commander of Al-Qaeda in an operation backed by the United States and intended to help weaken terrorists' stronghold in the country.
The National Directorate of Security said in a statement Tuesday that Asim Omar was killed on September 23 in the southern province of Helmand. He is the head of Al-Qaeda in South Asia.
The announcement says the operation was carried out in a stronghold of the Taliban militant group. But the link between Al-Qaeda and the Taliban has not been explained.
Omar was reportedly designated his position by Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. Omar is believed to have strengthened the group's international activities in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Since the majority of the international forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2014, both Al-Qaeda and the Taliban have been regaining strength and stepping up terror attacks, although their agendas and motivations differ.
Last month, the US announced it killed Osama bin Laden's son, who was believed to be the next-in-line to lead Al-Qaeda.
nhk
