...Formerly second in command of al-Qaeda, now the head cheese, occasionally described as the real brains of the outfit.Formerly the Mister Big of Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Bumped off Abdullah Azzam with a car boom in the course of one of their little disputes. Is thought to have composed bin Laden's fatwa entitled World Islamic Front Against Jews and Crusaders. Currently residing in the North Wazoo area assuming he's not dead like Mullah Omar. He lost major face when he ordered the nascent Islamic State to cease and desist and merge with the orthodox al-Qaeda spring, al-Nusra...
, also known as "Dr. Death," has reportedly died of natural causes related to asthma. He last appeared in a 45-minute video message on the anniversary of 9/11 to celebrate the World Trade Center attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
"He died last week in Ghazni. He died of asthma because he had no formal treatment," according to al-Qaeda translator.
Pak officials echoed the message.
"We believe he is no longer alive. We are firm that he has died of natural causes," said a Pak security official.
A source close to the terrorist organization also confirmed the alleged death.
"What we know is that he was having some breathing issues and has passed away somewhere in Afghanistan," said a source close to al-Qaeda.
U.S. intelligence officials are attempting to confirm whether the reports are true or not.
Al-Zawahiri's death comes after the deaths of al-Qaeda's second in command Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, known as Abu Muhammad al-Masri, and his daughter, as well as the death of Hamza bin Laden. The three deaths occurred in quick succession, which potentially opens up a power vacuum at the top of al-Qaeda.
Al-Masri and al-Zawahiri are still listed on the FBI's most wanted snuffies page, with the bounty on al-Zawahiri set at $25 million. He is still being described as "armed and dangerous".
Al-Zawahiri was indicted in 1998 for his part in the attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which left more than 224 people dead and thousands injured. Despite a manhunt after the September 11 attacks, al-Zawahiri has remained in hiding for almost 20 years.
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