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Senior al-Qaida figures targeted in Afghanistan drone strikes, Pentagon says

The Pentagon is still assessing the results of strikes targeting two senior al-Qaida leaders, Faruq al-Qatani and Bilal al-Utabi.

By Stephen Feller
Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook reported the United States military targeted two senior al-Qaida leaders, Faruq al-Qatani and Bilal al-Utabi, who have long histories planning attacks against U.S. and coalition forces and had been tasked with rebuilding the terror group's presence in Afghanistan. Photo by Erik Gudmundson/U.S. Air Force
Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook reported the United States military targeted two senior al-Qaida leaders, Faruq al-Qatani and Bilal al-Utabi, who have long histories planning attacks against U.S. and coalition forces and had been tasked with rebuilding the terror group's presence in Afghanistan. Photo by Erik Gudmundson/U.S. Air Force | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. drone strikes targeted two senior al-Qaida commanders, potentially eliminating two major players in attacks on U.S. forces and coalition allies throughout the Middle East, the Pentagon said.

Faruq al-Qatani and Bilal al-Utabi, two of the most senior al-Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan, were targeted by the U.S. military Sunday after months of surveillance and years of searching for them for previous attacks on U.S. forces, U.S. military officials said.

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"We are still assessing the results of the strikes, but their demise would represent a significant blow to the terrorist group's presence in Afghanistan, which remains committed to facilitating attacks against the United States, our allies, and partners," Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement.

Qatani was the terrorist group's emir in northeastern Afghanistan and has been a senior planner in multiple attacks against the United States and coalition allies. Utabi, along with Qatani, was tasked with re-establishing a safe haven for al-Qaida in Afghanistan.

The drone strikes targeted what the Pentagon called command-and-control locations in remote areas of the Kunar province.

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