Ayman al-Zawahiri

Ayman al-Zawahiri was an Egyptian physician and Islamist militant who led al-Qaeda from 2011 until his death in 2022.

Osama bin Laden: Osama bin Laden was the Saudi-born founder of al-Qaeda and its leader until his death in 2011. Al-Zawahiri became bin Laden’s deputy and succeeded him as al-Qaeda’s leader.
Egyptian Islamic Jihad: Egyptian Islamic Jihad was a militant Islamist organization that sought to overthrow Egypt’s government. Al-Zawahiri became a leading figure in the organization before its merger with al-Qaeda.
Al-Qaeda: Al-Qaeda is a transnational militant Islamist organization founded by Osama bin Laden and associates. Al-Zawahiri led this organization after bin Laden’s death.
Islamic State: The Islamic State is a militant Islamist organization that declared a caliphate in Iraq and Syria in 2014. Al-Qaeda under al-Zawahiri opposed the Islamic State’s breakaway claim to leadership of global jihad.
September 11 attacks: The September 11 attacks were coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda against the United States in 2001. Al-Zawahiri was a senior al-Qaeda figure as the organization planned and carried out the attacks.
Sayyid Qutb: Sayyid Qutb was an Egyptian Islamist writer whose ideas influenced modern militant movements. Al-Zawahiri later cited Qutb’s writings as formative in his political outlook.
Egyptian Islamist movement: The Egyptian Islamist movement comprises organizations and currents seeking a larger role for Islam in public life and government. Al-Zawahiri’s political formation grew within Egypt’s diverse Islamist milieu.
Al-Qaeda leadership: Al-Qaeda leadership is the organization’s senior command structure and decision-making circle. Al-Zawahiri’s role involved directing a dispersed network rather than governing a conventional state.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was the leader of the Islamic State from 2010 until his death in 2019. His organization challenged al-Zawahiri’s authority and competed with al-Qaeda for allegiance.
War on Terror: The War on Terror was the U.S.-led international campaign launched after the September 11 attacks. The campaign targeted al-Qaeda and constrained the organization during al-Zawahiri’s tenure.

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