The spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate has stated in an interview with Al Arabiya Persian that there is no evidence of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda, being killed in Afghanistan.

Zabihullah Mujahid, in this interview, said that the Islamic Emirate does not confirm the US claim regarding Ayman al-Zawahiri's death in Kabul.

Mujahid said: "Investigations are ongoing, but we have not yet reached a point that would verify the alleged claim. The presence of al-Zawahiri here has not been established, his body has not been seen, and we do not confirm the claim made by the United States."

In part of his remarks, the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate discussed the issue of prisoner exchange with the United States and said that the US must release Afghan prisoners in exchange for the release of its citizens. 

According to Mujahid, they are in talks with American officials on this matter.

Zabihullah Mujahid added: "Just as the U.S. wants to free its citizens, it must also release Afghans. Unfortunately, one Afghan remains in Guantanamo, and there are Afghans imprisoned in the U.S. who must be freed."

Sayed Akbar Sial Wardak, a political analyst, said: "When problems between the two countries are resolved in any area, whether it is the release of prisoners or the lifting of sanctions, it has a positive effect on the relations between the two countries."

The United States claimed that on August 2, 2022, it targeted and killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda, in the Sherpur area of Kabul.