WALlahu'alam..
The leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, is seen in this undated
file photograph released by the Iraqi Interim Government March 7, 2005. Iraq's
prime minister has announced the death of al-Zarqawi, state television reported
on Thursday. QUALITY FROM SOURCE REUTERS/IGCD/Handout/Files
Al-Qaeda's Zarqawi killed in Iraq
By Mariam Karouny - 7 minutes ago
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Al Qaeda leader in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, blamed
for the beheading of foreign captives and the death of hundreds in suicide
bombings, has been killed in a raid north of Baghdad, Iraq's prime minister
said on Thursday.
Jordanian-born Zarqawi, who had sworn loyalty to Osama bin Laden, had come to
symbolize the radical Islamic insurgency against U.S. occupation in which
thousands had been killed. His campaign is also believed to have played a major
role in inflaming Sunni-Shi'ite tensions in the country.
U.S. officials in Iraq hailed his killing, but warned that Zarqawi's
followers still posed a security threat to the Iraq government.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Zarqawi's death was a blow against al
Qaeda everywhere.
"Today Zarqawi has been terminated," Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki
announced at a televised news conference attended by the top U.S. commander in
Iraq, General George Casey, and other senior officials.
"Every time a Zarqawi appears we will kill him," Maliki said. "We will
continue confronting whoever follows his path. It is an open war between us."
Casey said the body of Zarqawi, who had a $25 million U.S. bounty on his
head, had been identified and that details of his death would be revealed later
on Thursday.
Maliki, who had been desperately in need of a success to bolster his
authority, said seven Zarqawi aides were also killed in the raid in the city of
Baquba 65 km (40 miles) north of the capital.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said Zarqawi's death marked a "great
success." But the ambassador and Casey cautioned that it will not end violence
in the country.
The announcement of Zarqawi's death had an impact on oil prices. Crude
futures were down more than one dollar to $69.82.
Zarqawi, believed to be in his late 30s, has inspired an apparently endless
supply of militants from across the Arab world to blow themselves up in suicide
missions in Iraq.
Iraqi and U.S. officials say he has formed a loose alliance with Saddam
Hussein's former agents, benefiting from their money, weapons and intelligence
assets to press his campaign.
Some posters of the most wanted man in Iraq show him in glasses, looking like
an accountant, others as a tough-looking man in a black skullcap.
Zarqawi's killing could be seen as one of the most significant developments
for the United States forces and the Iraqi government it backs since the
capture of Saddam.
Zarqawi appeared on a video in April unmasked for the first time, meeting his
followers, firing a machinegun in the desert and condemning the entire Iraqi
political process.
"Zarqawi didn't have a number two. I can't think of any single person who
would succeed Zarqawi...In terms of effectiveness, there was no single leader
in Iraq who could match his ruthlessness and his determination," said Rohan
Gumaratna from the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore.
NEW MINISTERS
The killing of Zarqawi could give a political boost to Maliki, who has
pledged to crush the Sunni Arab insurgency against the U.S.-backed government.
Iraq's parliament approved on Thursday Maliki's candidates for new defense
and interior ministers.
By a clear majority, it approved Jawad al-Bolani, a Shi'ite, as interior
minister and General Abdel Qader Jassim, a Sunni and until now Iraqi ground
forces commander, as defense minister.
Out of 198 deputies present in the 275-seat assembly, 182 voted for Bolani
while 142 supported Jassim, the speaker said.
The two key security jobs were left temporarily vacant when Maliki's
government of national unity took office on May 20 because of intense wrangling
among his coalition partners.
Parliamentary approval for any candidates Maliki offers could help pull him
out of a political crisis that has hurt efforts to impose a security crackdown
against a Sunni Arab insurgency and sectarian violence raising fears of civil
war.
Obituary: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
Zarqawi was released in Jordan under a general amnesty
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was Iraq's most notorious insurgent - a shadowy figure
associated with spectacular bombings, assassinations and the beheading of
foreign hostages. The Jordanian-born militant first appeared in Iraq as
the leader of the Tawhid and Jihad insurgent group, merging it in late 2004
with Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network. But most information on him was
restricted to what his enemies and supporters have attributed to him. While
many analysts argued he had used the Iraqi insurgency as a springboard to
expand his operations, others said his influence was exaggerated. Pretext
for war In the run-up to the Iraq war in February 2003, US Secretary of
State Colin Powell told the United Nations that Zarqawi was an associate of
Osama Bin Laden who had sought refuge in Iraq. Intelligence reports
indicated he was in Baghdad and - according to Mr Powell - this was a sure sign
that Saddam Hussein was courting al-Qaeda, which, in turn,
justified an attack on Iraq. But some analysts at the time contested the
claim, pointing to Zarqawi's historical rivalry with Bin Laden.
'Zarqawi' shows face in video
Both men rose to prominence as "Afghan Arabs" - leading foreign fighters in
the "jihad" against Soviet forces in Afghanistan in the 1980s.
It was a far cry from Zarqawi's youth as a petty criminal in Jordan,
remembered by those who knew him as a simple, quick-tempered and barely
literate gangster. But after the defeat of the Soviets in Afghanistan,
Zarqawi went back to Jordan with a radical Islamist agenda. Sentenced to
death He spent seven years in prison there, accused of conspiring to
overthrow the monarchy and establish an Islamic caliphate. Not long after
his release under a general amnesty, he fled the country. Jordan tried him in
absentia and sentenced him to death for allegedly plotting attacks on American
and Israeli tourists. Western intelligence indicated Zarqawi had sought
refuge in Europe. German security forces later uncovered a militant cell
which claimed Zarqawi was its leader. Cell members told their German
interrogators their group was "especially for Jordanians who did not want to
join al-Qaeda". According to the German intelligence report, this
"conflicts with... information" from America. Kurdish connection The
next stop on his itinerary was his old stamping ground - Afghanistan.
A 'wanted' poster for Zarqawi who had a $25m bounty on his head
He is believed to have set up a training camp in the western city of Herat,
near the border with Iran.
Students at his camp supposedly became experts in the manufacture and use
of poison gases. It is during this period that Zarqawi is thought to have
renewed his acquaintance with al-Qaeda. He is believed to have fled to
Iraq in 2001 after a US missile strike on his Afghan base. US officials
argue that it was at al-Qaeda's behest that he moved to Iraq and established
links with Ansar al-Islam - a group of Kurdish Islamists from the north of the
country. Sectarian strategy In October 2002, Zarqawi was blamed for
the assassination of US aid official Laurence Foley in Amman. Months
later, in 2003, he was named as the mastermind of a series of lethal bombings -
from Casablanca in Morocco to Istanbul in Turkey. It is in Iraq, though, that
he was said to have been most active. A letter released by the Americans
in February 2004 seemed to support their claim that targeting Shias is central
to Zarqawi's strategy in Iraq. In it, Zarqawi
appeared to share his plans for igniting sectarian conflict in Iraq as a means
of undermining the US presence there. Within days of the letter's release,
bomb attacks on recruiting centres for the Iraqi security forces had killed
nearly 100 people. Another approach that sent shockwaves around the world
was the beheadings of foreign hostages, which were posted on the internet in
video footage attributed to the Tawhid and Jihad group. Bin Laden rival?
The US military claimed to have injured Zarqawi in an assault in 2005. A
statement released by al-Qaeda appeared to confirm this but said the injuries
were minor. Several men alleged to be key aides of Zarqawi have also been
killed or captured - but these appeared to have had no effect on his group's
ability to operate. The US offered a $25m bounty on Zarqawi's head - the
same sum they offered for Bin Laden himself.
But in the last year, he seemed to have been able to move his campaign beyond
Iraq's borders again, claiming responsibility for a triple suicide bombing in
the Jordanian capital Amman in November 2005, as well as other attacks.
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (L), leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, is seen in this undated
file photograph taken off video footage obtained by the Pentagon and released
on May 4, 2006. Iraq's prime minister has announced the death of al-Zarqawi,
state television reported on June 8, 2006. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
REUTERS/Department of Defense/Handout/Files
Iraq Al-Qaeda chief Zarqawi killed in air strike
by Jay Deshmukh
37 minutes ago
BAGHDAD (AFP) - Al-Qaeda's chief in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was killed in
an air strike on a safe house where he was holding a meeting, the prime
minister announced, ending the hunt for the country's most wanted fugitive.
Zarqawi, blamed for a string of bloody attacks and kidnappings that have
bedevilled Iraq in its transition "has been eliminated," Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki told a news conference.
"What happened ... is the result of collaboration from people who facilitated
the operation conducted by Iraqi police and multinational forces," Maliki told
reporters.
"This is a message to those who choose the path of violence to change their
direction before it is too late. I thank our forces, our police and the
multinational forces for what they are doing in pursuing the terrorists."
General George W. Casey Jr, head of US-led forces in Iraq, told the press
conference that Zarqawi and one of his key lieutenants, spiritual advisor
Sheikh Abdel Rahman, were killed at 6:15 pm (1415 GMT) Wednesday in an air
strike on an isolated safe house.
He said Zarqawi's death "is a significant blow to Al-Qaeda and another step
toward defeating terrorism in Iraq.
"Tips and intelligence from Iraqi senior leaders from his network led forces
to al-Zarqawi and some of his associates, who were conducting a meeting
approximately eight kilometers (five miles) north of Baquba, when the air
strike was launched."
An image grab from an undated video released on the website of the US
Department of Defence (DOD) shows Al-Qaeda's Iraq frontman Abu Musab
al-Zarqawi, on May 4. A suspected member of the Al-Qaeda group in Iraq
confessed on Jordanian television Tuesday to murdering a Jordanian driver in
Iraq and abducting two Moroccan embassy employees last year.(AFP/DOD/File)
Baquba is located about 60 kilometres (36 miles) north of the capital.
"Iraqi police were first on the scene after the air strike, and elements of
Multinational Division North, arrived shortly thereafter. Coalition Forces were
able to identify al-Zarqawi by fingerprint verification, facial recognition and
known scars."
Casey said Zarqawi and Al-Qaeda in Iraq "have conducted terrorist activities
against the Iraqi people for years in attempts to undermine the Iraqi national
government and coalition efforts to rebuild and stabilize Iraq.
"Although the designated leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq is now dead, the
terrorist organization still poses a threat as its members will continue to try
to terrorize the Iraqi people and destabilize their government as it moves
toward stability and prosperity," he added.
"Iraqi forces, supported by the coalition, will continue to hunt terrorists
that threaten the Iraqi people until terrorism is eradicated in Iraq."
US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad said "Zarqawi's death is a good omen
... for our overall efforts in the global war against terror.
"I congratulate Prime Minister Maliki. Today is a good day. There will be
difficult days ahead but together Iraqis and coalition forces will fight
terrorists and those who want Iraq to fail."
In Amman, a senior Jordanian official said "Zarqawi was killed in Baquba ...
in a joint operation involving the Jordanian intelligence, the US intelligence
and American special operations forces."
"It was a land operation with air cover," he added.
According to the official, Jordanian-born Zarqawi was "presiding over a
meeting of his terrorist group" at the time of the operation.
"He died ten minutes after the operation, along with eight to 10 of his
partisans," the official added.
"He was identified by the agents that carried out the raid who compared
recent pictures of Zarqawi with the body," the official said.
And in another step aimed at returning security to the insurgency-wracked
country, Maliki also made long-awaited appointments to the defence and interior
ministries.
Jawad Polani was named as interior minister, Abdel Qader al-Obeidi as defense
minister and Shirwan al-Waili to head national security.
The candidates read out their credentials and experience to the parliament
prior to a vote. Parliament members were also given the opportunity to question
the candidates.
This is an image made from video originally posted Tuesday, April 25, 2006 on
the Internet showing al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Iraqi Prime
Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced at a news conference Thursday June 8, 2006,
that al-Qaida in Iraq chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has been killed. This image
was provided via the IntelCenter, which is a private contractor working for
intelligence agencies. (AP Photo/via IntelCenter)
Statement by U.S. Forces in Iraq
Published: June 8, 2006
The following is a statement by Gen. George W. Casey Jr. announcing the death
of al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi in the following statement
during a press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and U.S.
Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad :
Ladies and Gentlemen, Coalition Forces killed al-Qaida terrorist leader Abu
Musab Al-Zarqawi and one of his key lieutenants, spiritual advisor Sheik
Abd-Al-Rahman, yesterday, June 7, at 6:15 p.m. in an air strike against an
identified, isolated safe house.
Tips and intelligence from Iraqi senior leaders from his network led forces
to al-Zarqawi and some of his associates who were conducting a meeting
approximately eight kilometers north of Baqubah when the air strike was
launched.
Iraqi police were first on the scene after the air strike, and elements of
Multi-National Division North, arrived shortly thereafter. Coalition Forces
were able to identify al-Zarqawi by fingerprint verification, facial
recognition and known scars.
Al-Zarqawi and al-Qaida in Iraq have conducted terrorist activities against
the Iraqi people for years in attempts to undermine the Iraqi national
government and Coalition efforts to rebuild and stabilize Iraq. He is known to
be responsible for the deaths of thousands of Iraqis.
Jordanian-born terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is seen in these
undated photos - the photo at left released in Amman, Jordan, Dec. 14, 2002,
the photo at right released by the Department of State September 2004. Iraq's
prime minister is expected to make an important announcement early Thursday
June 8, 2006 amid reports that al-Qaida in Iraq chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has
been killed. (AP Photo/File)
Al-Zarqawis death is a significant blow to al-Qaida and another step toward
defeating terrorism in Iraq.
Although the designated leader of al-Qaida in Iraq is now dead, the
terrorist organization still poses a threat as its members will continue to try
to terrorize the Iraqi people and destabilize their government as it moves
toward stability and prosperity. Iraqi forces, supported by the Coalition, will
continue to hunt terrorists that threaten the Iraqi people until terrorism is
eradicated in Iraq.
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meningkatkan dana kewangan utk berkahwin & sesudah berkahwin, berbelanja secara
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untuk keterangan lanjut
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