Osama Bin Laden’s son Hamza Bin Laden who was groomed to lead the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda by the former has been killed, reported US media citing American officials on Wednesday. Although the details of the operation have been kept under wraps, NBC News reported that three US officials had confirmed that they have information of Hamza bin Laden’s death.
Further, the reports suggest that Mr Bin Laden has been killed before the US government announced $1 million bounty in February. The award money was for any information leading “to the identification or location in any country” of Hamza Bin laden. Notably, The New York Times cited two US officials saying they had confirmation that Hamza was killed during the first two years of Trump administration.
Who Is Hamza Bin Laden?
The 15th of Osama bin laden’s 20 sons and a son from his third wife, was a leader in the Al-Qaeda franchise. He had threatened the US government and other countries of dire consequences to avenge the loss of his father who was killed by US forces in Pakistan on May 2011. Repodertly, he had released audio and video messages speaking of his plans to attack the United States.
Ranting in his thin voice, he has also urged ISIS and tribal groups in Saudi Arabia to unite with Yemen’s al Qaeda to liberate Palestine and fight against Saudi Arabia.
“There is no longer an excuse for those who insist on division and disputes now that the whole world has mobilised against Muslims,” he said in a video message in 2016.
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Although the terrorist group hasn’t been a part of causality in years, Bin Laden was likely operating in Pakistan-Afghanistan. Moreover, he is believed to have been in house arrest in Iran.
If reports are anything to go by, the killing of Hamza is a symbolic victory for the US government. However, the official announcement from the US President Trump awaits, who hasn’t either confirmed or denied the claims.
