Trump confirms 'jihadi prince', son of Osama bin Laden, has been killed

"The death of Hamza bin Laden not only deprives al-Qaeda of important leadership skills and a symbolic connection to his father, but also weakens important operational plans," US President Donald Trump said in a statement released by the White House yesterday, September 14.

Hamza bin Laden, son of terrorist Osama bin Laden. Photo:AP

US media in early August quoted intelligence officials as saying that Hamza, the son and successor of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, had died two years ago in an operation involving the US. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper also confirmed his death on August 22 but did not disclose details.

Hamza, the son of Osama bin Laden's third wife and the 15th of the terrorist leader's 20 children, was believed to be under house arrest in Iran when US special forces raided his compound in Pakistan and killed Osama in May 2011.

Hamza has been dubbed the "crown prince of jihad" and has released audio and video recordings calling for attacks on the United States and other countries to avenge his father. This has attracted a new generation of followers to al-Qaeda, the terrorist group behind the September 11 attacks on the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people.

The US State Department designated Hamza as a “global terrorist” in 2017. Earlier this year, the US offered a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to his capture.