US President Joe Biden has confirmed that al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan.

He was killed in a counter-terrorism operation carried out by the CIA in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Sunday.

During live remarks from the Blue Room Balcony at the White House, Biden said there were no civilian casualties.

Meanwhile the Afghan Government has strongly condemned the drone strike and lodged strong protest over it.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement said the drone strike is blatant violation of international principles and Duha agreement.

The drone attack is the first known U.S. strike inside Afghanistan since U.S troops and diplomats left the country in August 2021.