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U.S. Airstrikes in Afghanistan Likely Killed Senior Al-Qaeda Leaders
(Wall Street Journal) Gordon Lubold - The U.S. military conducted a series of airstrikes in Afghanistan on Sunday that likely killed at least two senior al-Qaeda leaders, marking what the Pentagon called the most significant strike against the militant group's leadership in several years. American drones targeted Farouq al-Qatani and his deputy, Bilal al-Utabi, top officials of al-Qaeda's old guard, by pounding two compounds in Kunar province after an "extensive period of surveillance," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said Wednesday. Qatani was considered the top al-Qaeda official in Afghanistan, responsible for planning attacks within and outside the country. In recent years, the militant leader had planned operations against U.S. military bases and convoys in Afghanistan.