Updated, 3:43 a.m. May 2, 2011:
The Long War Journal adds:
[Updated 01:24 AM Eastern]US officials have confirmed that Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda’s top leader, was killed during an early morning raid by US forces in Pakistan today.
President Barack Obama said Osama bin Laden was killed by “a small team of Americans” during a raid on a fortified mansion in Abbottabad, Pakistan. “After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body,” Obama said. Bin Laden’s body is currently in Afghanistan. No US personnel were killed during the operation.
According to CNN, “senior US officials” have stated that the operation was conducted by US Navy SEALs inserted by multiple helicopters, one of which crashed due to mechanical failure. The Associated Press reported that four US helicopters took off from an airbase in northwestern Pakistan, and one took fire during the operation. That helicopter was later destroyed by US troops. ABC News reported that an estimated 20 to 25 SEALs backed by CIA personnel carried out the raid on the $1 million compound.
In addition to bin Laden, four other people, including one of bin Laden’s sons and two couriers, were also reported killed in the firefight. A woman was also killed during the raid.
Foreign governments, including Pakistan, where the raid took place, were sidelined, according to The Washington Post. A US intelligence official with knowledge of the raid told The Long War Journal that Pakistan, specifically its Inter-Services Intelligence agency, “could not be trusted” with operational details of the raid.
Original post:
Breaking news tonight that President Obama will announce that Osama bin Laden was killed by a U.S. air strike a week ago. This from Fox News:
Usama bin Laden is dead, multiple sources confirm to Fox News. He was killed a week ago by a U.S. bomb. President Obama is expected to deliver a statement from the White House Sunday night to discuss the major development. The announcement comes nearly a decade after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks which started a tireless hunt for the terrorist mastermind and Al Qaeda leader. The U.S. had been waiting for the results of a DNA test to confirm his identity before going public. Sources said the vice president informed congressional leaders late Sunday night that bin Laden had indeed been killed.