Tell me a bio of Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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Ayman al-Zawahiri was a prominent Egyptian physician, Islamist theorist, and the second-in-command of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda. He played a crucial role in the group's operations and ideology, serving as the organization's leader after the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011.

**Early Life and Education**

Ayman al-Zawahiri was born on June 19, 1951, in Cairo, Egypt, to a wealthy and influential family. His father, Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri, was a prominent physician and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. Ayman's family was known for their strong Islamic and nationalist views, which would later influence his own ideology.

Al-Zawahiri studied medicine at Cairo University, graduating in 1974 with a degree in surgery. He then pursued a career in medicine, working as a surgeon in Egypt and later in Saudi Arabia.

**Involvement with Islamist Groups**

In the 1970s and 1980s, al-Zawahiri became increasingly involved with Islamist groups in Egypt, including the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic Jihad. He was influenced by the writings of Sayyid Qutb, a prominent Islamist thinker, and began to develop his own radical ideology.

In 1981, al-Zawahiri was arrested and imprisoned for his involvement with the Islamic Jihad, which was responsible for the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar El-Sadat. He was released from prison in 1984 and went into exile in Saudi Arabia.

**Al-Qaeda and Leadership**

In the late 1980s, al-Zawahiri met Osama bin Laden, and the two men formed a close relationship. Al-Zawahiri became a key advisor to bin Laden and played a crucial role in the development of al-Qaeda's ideology and strategy.

After bin Laden's death in 2011, al-Zawahiri became the leader of al-Qaeda, serving in this position until his own death in 2022. During his leadership, al-Zawahiri continued to promote the group's radical ideology and was responsible for numerous terrorist attacks around the world.

**Key Facts and Achievements**

* Al-Zawahiri was a skilled surgeon and held a degree in medicine from Cairo University.
* He was a key advisor to Osama bin Laden and played a crucial role in the development of al-Qaeda's ideology and strategy.
* Al-Zawahiri was responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, including the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
* He was a prolific writer and published numerous articles and books on Islamist ideology.
* Al-Zawahiri was a vocal critic of Western powers and was known for his anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric.

**Impact**

Al-Zawahiri's impact on global terrorism was significant. As a key leader of al-Qaeda, he was responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and promoted a radical ideology that inspired countless individuals around the world.

Al-Zawahiri's writings and speeches also had a significant impact on the development of Islamist ideology, influencing a generation of radical thinkers and activists. His legacy continues to be felt today, with many viewing him as a key figure in the global jihadist movement.

**Death**

Al-Zawahiri was killed in a drone strike by the United States on July 31, 2022, in Kabul, Afghanistan. The strike was carried out by the CIA and marked the end of al-Zawahiri's leadership of al-Qaeda.
Ayman al-Zawahiri was an Egyptian physician, Islamist theologian, and militant leader who played a significant role in the global Islamist movement. Born on June 19, 1951, in Maadi, Egypt, al-Zawahiri was the second of eight children to a prominent Cairo family.

**Early Life and Education:**

Al-Zawahiri studied medicine at Cairo University, where he earned a degree in surgery in 1974. He later moved to Egypt's Islamic Heritage Society in 1973, where he became involved with Islamist groups. He also spent time in Saudi Arabia, studying Islamic law and meeting influential Islamist thinkers.

**Career and Radicalization:**

Al-Zawahiri became increasingly involved with Islamist movements, particularly after the 1979 Egyptian presidential election. He was arrested in 1981 for his involvement in the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and released in 1984. Al-Zawahiri's experiences and contacts in the Egyptian prison system exposed him to various Islamist ideologies, radicalizing him further.

**Jihadist Leadership:**

In 1998, al-Zawahiri co-founded al-Qaeda with Osama bin Laden. He served as the organization's second-in-command and became the group's leader after bin Laden's death in 2011. Al-Zawahiri promoted a global jihadist agenda, calling for violence against Western targets and Muslims deemed apostates. He also played a key role in planning and executing several significant attacks, including the 9/11 attacks.

**Key Achievements and Impact:**

- **Strategic thinker:** Al-Zawahiri was known for his ability to adapt and evolve the al-Qaeda strategy, shifting from a focus on bin Laden's personal attacks to a broader campaign of global terrorism.

- **Author and teacher:** Al-Zawahiri wrote several books and articles on Islamic theology and strategy, serving as a prominent voice within the global jihadist movement.

- **Communication and messaging:** Al-Zawahiri managed to maintain a high level of visibility, releasing numerous video statements and audiotapes addressing the global community. This allowed al-Qaeda to maintain a presence and disseminate their message despite intense security operations.

**Notable Events and Operations:**

- **9/11 attacks (2001):** Al-Zawahiri was involved in the planning and execution of the September 11 attacks in the United States.

- **Asian and African operations (2002-2006):** Al-Zawahiri was implicated in several notable attacks, including the Bali bombings (2002), the Jakarta bombings (2003), and the 2004 Israeli-beachfront massacre in Sinai.

- **Revenge attacks (2009-2012):** Al-Zawahiri was linked to the Mumbai massacre (2008), the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner (2009), and the massive 2012 Benghazi attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Libya.

**Death:**

Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed on July 31, 2022, by a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan. This targeted operation was carried out by the CIA's Counterterrorism Center, under the direction of President Joe Biden.

**Legacy:**

Ayman al-Zawahiri's death marks the end of an era for global jihadism. As a strategic thinker and a master propagandist, he played a significant role in shaping the al-Qaeda narrative and promoting the jihadist cause worldwide. His relentless pursuit of violence against the West and his manipulation of global politics have left a lasting impact on international relations and counterterrorism efforts.