On June 08, 2006, ABCNEWS reported that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has been confirmed to have been killed in Baghdad in a bombing raid by a United States task force hunting him. His death has been confirmed by mutiple sources in Iraq.
With thanks to Pamela at DL.
WoC links to Reuters:
Iraq's prime minister will announce the death of al Qaeda leader in Iraq Abu Musab al- Zarqawi, state television reported on Thursday.
Pajamas Media has this:
We’ve heard if before, but news channels are right now reporting that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the most wanted terrorist in Iraq, has been killed in a bombing operation, according to an aide to Iraq’s prime minister. No links yet; more soon.
UPDATE (12:21am Pacific): CNN International is showing footage from Al Arabiya TV of Prime minister Nuri Al-Maliki in a press conference confirming the news. Wild applause in the audience.
Blackfive:
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is currently backstroking in The Lake of Fire. Good riddance, bitch! Few details at this point, I just caught it on a Fox News Alert at 0030 PST 8 June 2006. Wake up with a smile America, Zarqawi ate a 500lb bomb in Baquba yesterday and this is confirmed.
0049 General Casey is now confirming that Zarqawi is dead and identified by fingerprints and facial recognition. Ding Dong the witch is dead. HOOYAH!!!
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
UPDATE - ITM:
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has just announced the death of terror leader Abu Musa'ab al-Zarqawi in a joint press conference with Ambassador Khalil Zad.
Al-Maliki explained that Zarqawi (and 7 of his aides) was killed in a US-Iraqi raid in the little town of Hibhib 8 km north of Baquba after receiving tips from residents in the area.
General Casey says more details on the operation will be available in a briefing at 3 pm local time. General Casey mentioned that Zarqawi's identity was confirmed through his fingerprints.
CONGRATULATIONS TO IRAQ, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WHOLE WORLD ON THIS VICTORY.
Reuters, quoting ABC: "They handed him over to the Iraqis and he later died of his injuries."
Heh.
MORE UPDATES:
Totten: "Got the Motherfucker".
Belmont Club: Z-man RIP. 'It will have been a dramatic comedown for a man who on only on March 22, 2006 was acclaimed "the superstar of the international jihad".'
Counterterrorism Blog has a round-up.
Debka:
Iraq’s most wanted man, al Qaeda chief Abu Musab al Zarqawi, was killed in a safe house 8km north of Baquba, along with seven aides. One senior aide was captured.
June 8, 2006, 11:12 AM (GMT+02:00)
The tip-off from Iraqi sources led to an air strike by US forces, US commander Gen. George Casey confirmed after the announcement by Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki
The most wanted man in Iraq with a $25m US bounty on his head, he was personally responsible for the most barbarous terrorist attacks, including beheadings, massacres of civilians, suicide attacks and an all-out war on Shiites which touched of sectarian warfare in Iraq.
US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad congratulated US commander Gen. George Casey and the forces which carried out the operation against the “godfather of sectarian killing in Iraq.” His death does not end the violence in Iraq but is a step in the right direction and a good omen for the new government and the global war on terror.
