WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after President Joe Biden announced that a U.S. operation resulted in the death of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al Qaeda and a planner of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks:

“When the Twin Towers fell and the Pentagon was attacked on 9/11, Ayman al-Zawahiri was the evil mastermind working alongside Osama bin Laden to perpetrate these murderous acts of terror. After more than two decades of tracking his steps on behalf of the thousands of innocent Americans we lost that day, justice has been delivered in their names.

“As the United States approaches the one-year mark since removing troops from Afghanistan, let there be no doubt that the war on terrorism continues, that the threats posed by Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations remain, and that America remains fully capable to capture or kill the enemies of freedom wherever they seek refuge.

“As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Armed Services Committee, I commend those whose efforts led to this historic counterterrorism operation and thank all who continue to tirelessly stand watch on our behalf around the world.”