
The killing of Ayman al-Zawahri does not mean that the war on terror is over.
Zawahri's supposed successor is believed to be Saif al-Fadel, a person not unknown to Western authorities. He is one of the high-ranking leaders of the terrorist group and its founding member.
According to the Middle East Institute website, he joined the terrorist precursor group Maktab al-Khidmat in the 1980s. His acquaintance with Osama Bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri occurred in the 80s when he joined their Jihadi group Egyptian Islamic State (EIJ) and at the same time fought against Russian forces in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, as the New York Post reports in its publication, Fadeli, who in addition to political connections has also served as a commando, has knowledge from the battlefield. While from the 80s until today, he used pseudonyms such as Muhamed Ibrahim Makavi, Saif el-Adel, Ibrahim el-Madani.
According to the 2015 analysis, "Saif al-Sadel has always preferred to keep a low profile for his role in order to hide that he may play a leading role in the leadership in the future."
In fact, he is said to be moving like a "lone wolf" throughout the Middle East, although he is currently rumored to be living in Iran, while the FBI has placed him on a closed list that includes the most wanted terrorists in world, offering a $10 million reward for information on its exact location.
According to the FBI, al-Sadel is wanted on charges of "conspiracy to kill United States citizens, murder, destruction of United States buildings and property, and destruction of United States national defense services."
He is also wanted for the August 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi.
It is noted that Al Fadel was the one who oversaw the ambush against American forces and helicopters in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993. This is Operation Black Hawk Dawn, where 18 American soldiers lost their lives.