War on terror

U.S. Airstrikes in Afghanistan Likely Killed Senior al Qaeda Leaders

The U.S. military conducted a series of airstrikes in Afghanistan on Sunday that likely killed at least two senior al Qaeda leaders, marking what the Pentagon called the most significant strike against the militant group’s leadership in several years.

American drones targeted an al Qaeda leader, Farouq al-Qatani and his deputy, Bilal al-Utabi, by pounding two different compounds in Kunar province, where the two were believed to be, Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook late Wednesday. The strikes came after an “extensive period of surveillance,” according to Mr. Cook.

The U.S. military will conduct an assessment of the locations before concluding that both men are dead. Mr. Cook said their deaths would amount to a “significant blow” to al Qaeda’s presence in Afghanistan.