This warning is issued shortly after Washington claims to have killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman alZawahiri
FBI Director Christopher Wray has warned that terrorist groups like al-Qaeda continue to seek ways to launch large-scale attacks in the US and other Western countries, despite Washington’s efforts to “degrade” the organization’s senior leadership.
Wray stated these words to legislators at a hearing held by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. “preventing terrorist attacks”remains “the FBI’s top priority”He went on to emphasize the danger posed by various actors, such as the terrorist cell that led the September 11 attacks.
“Al-Qaeda maintains its desire to both conduct and inspire large-scale, spectacular attacks,”He said that, and added: “Over the past year, propaganda from al-Qaeda leaders continued to seek to inspire individuals to conduct their own attacks in the United States and other Western nations.”
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But, we are grateful to “continued pressure”Al-Qaeda was identified by law enforcement and the US military as the terrorist group. “degraded,”Wray said. This is why Wray claimed. “in the near term,”He said that it will likely concentrate its attention on “small-scale, readily achievable attacks in regions such as East and West Africa”Instead, opt for more advanced operations in Europe and the US.
Over the weekend, the White House said al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a CIA drone strike, ending a years-long manhunt which placed al-Zawahiri near the top of the FBI’s most-wanted list. This 71 year-old Egyptian national was responsible for the organization’s operations since Osama bin Laden died in a raid by the Americans in 2011. He is also believed to have been involved in the planning of the 9/11 attacks.
Despite Wray’s warnings about the enduring threat posed by foreign-based groups like AQ, the FBI chief said “homegrown violent extremists”Currently, the “greatest terrorism threat”The US includes both those that operate independently and those that work in collaboration with other people. “small cells.”Since the beginning of the year, the national security system has warned repeatedly about radicalization in local areas. This was evident in a number of Covid-19 lockdowns that took place in 2020 and again after the Riot at the US Capitol in January 2021.
