The son of Osama bin Laden has been killed in a US counter-terrorism operation, President Donald Trump has confirmed.

A statement from the White House said: “Hamza bin Ladin, the high-ranking al-Qa’eda member and son of Osama bin Laden, was killed in a United States counter-terrorism operation in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region.

“The loss of Hamza bin Ladin not only deprives al-Qaeda of important leadership skills and the symbolic connection to his father, but undermines important operational activities of the group.

“Hamza bin Laden was responsible for planning and dealing with various terrorist groups.”

The high-ranking al Qaeda figure was rumoured to have been killed in August.