September 11, 2001 – Attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Al-Zawahiri is Osama bin Laden’s top deputy and is widely credited with masterminding the attack
May 2, 2011 – Successful US operation to destroy bin Laden at Abbottabad compound, Pakistan
2011 – Al-Zawahiri succeeds bin Laden after the successful US operation to eliminate the world’s leading terrorist. US intelligence gaining ‘greater confidence’ over several months Terror leader’s family has moved to a safe house
Early April – Top security officials briefed on “intelligence development.” Shortly thereafter, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan briefed President Biden
US officials develop ‘patterns of life’ for Al-Zawahiri. Al-Zawahiri arrives at the safe house location; We do not know that he ever left after his arrival
Al-Zawahiri continues to produce videos attacking the US and its allies.
The US then investigates “the design and nature of the safe house” and the integrity of the building so the attack could kill the terrorist leader without endangering civilians.
Officials are conducting operations to determine the identity of everyone in the safe house. Officials “systematically eliminated all reasonable options except a strike.”
Officials hold a series of “close-hold” briefings to scrutinize the intelligence agency. “Key” agencies will be involved in the process to ensure information is “rock solid”, alternatives are developed and risks to civilians are minimized
In the final weeks of that period, Biden convened several meetings with advisers and cabinet members to scrutinize the intelligence community
May and June – Biden receives updates
July 1 – Biden is briefed by key members of his cabinet on a planned operation in the White House Situation Room. Present are CIA Director William Burns, counterterrorism experts, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Christine Abizaid, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Assistant National Security Advisor Finer
Biden examines a model built from the safe house in the Situation Room. Biden is asking for more information on construction plans and likely impact of a strike. Directs the intelligence community to prepare impact assessments. Calls on Intel to assess the risks to Mark Randall Frerichs, an American who disappeared in Afghanistan in 2020, and the implications for future access to Afghan airspace and efforts to evacuate Afghan partners
June and July – Directors and deputies meet several times in the Situation Room to “test the intelligence picture.” “Close circle” of agency lawyers confirms legal basis. They conclude that al-Zawahiri is a legitimate target.
Biden is asking everyone present for their opinions. “All strongly recommend the approval of this target”
July 25 – Biden calls advisers and key cabinet to final meeting for updated information. Ask again about other options, room layout and effects. At the end of the meeting, Biden authorized “tailored airstrikes on the condition that the strike minimized the risk of civilian casualties.”
July 30 9:48 pm EDT – US conducts “precision counter-terrorism operation in Kabul” to take out al-Zawahiri