BEAKING NEWS! Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Killed in U.S. Air Strike

:dance: :dance: :dance:


Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Killed in U.S. Air Strike
By PATRICK QUINN, AP

BAGHDAD, Iraq (June 8) - Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, al-Qaida's leader in Iraq who led a bloody campaign of suicide bombings and kidnappings, has been killed in an air strike, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Thursday, adding his identity was confirmed by fingerprints and a first-hand look at his face. It was a major victory in the U.S.-led war in Iraq and the broader war on terror.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said al-Zarqawi was killed along with seven aides Wednesday evening in a in a remote area 30 miles northeast of Baghdad, in the volatile province of Diyala, just east of the provincial capital of Baqouba, al-Maliki said.

Loud applause broke out as al-Maliki, flanked by U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and U.S. Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, told reporters at a news conference that "al-Zarqawi was eliminated."

The announcement came six days after the Jordanian-born terror leader issued an audiotape on the Internet, railing against Shiites in Iraq and saying militias are raping women and killing Sunnis and the community must fight back.

Al-Maliki said the air strike was the result of intelligence reports provided to Iraqi security forces by residents in the area, and U.S. forces acted on the information.

Baqouba has in recent weeks seen a spike in sectarian violence, including the discovery of 17 severed heads discovered in fruit boxes. It was also near the site of a sectarian atrocity last week when masked gunmen killed 21 Shiites, including a dozen students, after separating out a four Sunni Arabs.

"Those who disrupt the course of life, like al-Zarqawi, will have a tragic end," al-Maliki said. He also warned those who would follow the militant's lead that "whenever there is a new al-Zarqawi, we will kill him."

"This is a message for all those who embrace violence, killing and destruction to stop and to (retreat) before it's too late," he said. "It is an open battle with all those who incite sectarianism."

Khalilzad added "the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is a huge success for Iraq and the international war on terror." He also gave a thumbs up and said it was a good day for America.

Casey said the hunt for al-Zarqawi began in the area two weeks ago, and al- Zarqawi's body was identified by fingerprints and facial recognition.

The Jordanian-born militant, who is believed to have personally beheaded at least two American hostages, became Iraq's most wanted militant, as notorious as Osama bin Laden, to whom he swore allegiance in 2004. The United States put a US$25 million (about euro20 million) bounty on al-Zarqawi, the same as bin Laden.

U.S. forces in Iraq said the killing was a major victory.

"We killed him, and it's always great when you can remove someone that has caused this much harm," said Maj. Frank Garcia, public affairs officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. "We're one step closer to providing stability to the region."

Iraqis had mixed reactions.

Thamir Abdulhussein, a college student in Baghdad, said he hopes the killing of al- Zarqawi will promote reconciliation between Iraq's fractured ethnic and sectarian groups.

"If it's true al-Zarqawi was killed, that will be a big happiness for all the Iraqis," he said. "He was behind all the killings of Sunni and Shiites. Iraqis should now move toward reconciliation. They should stop the violence."

Amir Muhammed Ali, a 45-year-old stock broker in Baghdad, was skeptical that al-Zarqawi's death would end the unrelenting violence in the country, saying he was a foreigner but the Iraqi resistance to U.S.-led forces would likely continue.

"He didn't represent the resistance, some one will replace him and the operations will go on," he said.

In the past year, al-Zarqawi moved his campaign beyond Iraq's borders, claiming to have carried out a Nov. 9, 2005 triple suicide bombing against hotels in Amman that killed 60 people, as well as other attacks in Jordan and even a rocket attack from Lebanon into northern Israel.

U.S. forces and their allies came close to capturing al-Zarqawi several times since his campaign began in mid-2003.

His closest brush may have come in late 2004. Deputy Interior Ministry Maj. Gen. Hussein Kamal said Iraqi security forces caught al-Zarqawi near the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah but then released him because they didn't realize who he was.

In May 2005, Web statements by his group said al-Zarqawi had been wounded in fighting with Americans and was being treated in a hospital abroad - raising speculation over a successor among his lieutenants. But days later, a statement said al- Zarqawi was fine and had returned to Iraq. There was never any independent confirmation of the reports of his wounding.

U.S. forces believe they just missed capturing al-Zarqawi in a Feb. 20, 2005 raid in which troops closed in on his vehicle west of Baghdad near the Euphrates River. His driver and another associate were captured and al- Zarqawi's computer was seized along with pistols and ammunition.

U.S. troops twice launched massive invasions of Fallujah, the stronghold used by al-Qaida in Iraq fighters and other insurgents west of Baghdad. An April 2004 offensive left the city still in insurgent hands, but the October 2004 assault wrested it from them. However, al- Zarqawi - if he was in the city - escaped.


06-08-06 05:56 EDT

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/ar...08032509990001

I think about this time Allah's informing him that he screwed up....

Little boy your going to hell!!

Toker4LifeVT, I think you deserve an award for thread of the year!!

Have a good one!:thumbsup:

Great..with all the neg. reports on the U.S. maybe this will improve moral for our people....hard to believe they had him before and let him go..well I guess he knows by now if there is hell to reside in.

Here's the bad boy that they say took him out:thumbsup: :
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/predator/

Howdy Y'all !

This is great news !! Yeeehhhaaawww !!!! :D :dance:

We can win in Iraq,if we stay the course and this goes to show ya--you can run...but eventually our troops will find ya ! I hope Usama is next ! :thumbsup:

Thanx Toker4Life,for posting this article,ya beat me to it ! lol

Have a good one ! :stoned:

PS: How dissappointed do ya reckon that the MSM and our liberal friends here,will be over this great news ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Torog

PS: How dissappointed do ya reckon that the MSM and our liberal friends here,will be over this great news ?

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How ignorant.

First reports were wrong...it was an F-16 with two 500# bombs.

Mission Accomplished!:thumbsup:

But, Zarqawi is dead.

Killed in airstrike with 7 aides. They took fingerprints and confirmed it.

That's what happens to terrorists that get fat and slow... Unfortunately, there's a zillion more waiting to take his place, and most of them don't live in Iraq. :(

I'm not disappointed at all. I'm glad. But I think GrayM's right. There are a million more just like him waiting to take his place. And they'll be even angrier and crazier when they do.

This post is heading to political so I might as well get political.

Obviously, the Bush haters are in a tizzy. Too bad they can't share in our happiness that a ruthless killer and brilliant organizer has been laid to rest.

What's that? His death will only spring up 1,000 more al-Zawrqawis. Hope away fools.

so tw f-16's gave him a first class ticket to hell eh. Hope he enjoys his Virgins

Lol. :smokin:

So, what are your feelings on bush?

We didnt get shit. Zarquairi was demoted.
they put him out to be caught. we've accomplished nothing.
WOOOO

its like catching the goose that lays the golden egg after it goes through menopaus.

Well, I don't hate anybody.

I think it's a good thing Al-Zarqawi is dead. I am very happy about it. I watched the Nick Berg decapitation.

I think once the terrorists were strapping bombs on the kids, that was as low as you can go. So I don't see the war as making things worse.

Obviously, the Bush haters do not like this news because it favors Bush, their enemy.

I'm not a Bush cheerleader. I recognize his lack of ability to use the media to gather support. The media shows you his failures and looks over his accomplishments. And when one of his accomplishments like killing al-Zarqawi is so glaringly positive for him, the media gets tripped up and starts acting like a malfunctioning robot. "Does not compute. Does not compute."

Generally I'm opposite of what the media tells me to think.

I have more opinions but that's enough for now. These are just my opinions. I'm not arguing facts.

What do you think?

That is great news...........

I posted my thoughts here:

http://boards.cannabis.com/showthread.php?t=68911

Sounds like some people are upset. Aww. I'm sorry you can't stand it when Bush accomplishes something.

Hope away. I'm still waiting on the 1,000 Sadam Husseins.

Stangle, do you have any information about Zarqawi's demotion or is that just how your mind justifies your beliefs.

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Originally Posted by bhallg2k

How ignorant.

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Huh. Maybe you should read the writing in this thread. The Bush haters are not upset, they're only wishing for 1,000's more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by minnesota man

Huh. Maybe you should read the writing in this thread. The Bush haters are not upset, they're only wishing for 1,000's more.

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Saying that 1,000 more will pop up and wishing that to be are two entirely different things. One is a statement of opinion that it will happen, the other is a desire for it to happen.

I've read nowhere on this thread, or anywhere else for that matter, where someone has stated that they desire more terrorist leaders to take al-Zarqawi's place. All that has been stated is the reality that it will happen.

So I say again: How ignorant.

OK, seriously, your av is wicked.

To the point, I believe you are saying that it is ignorant to think that many liberals or democrats or progressives are upset that Zarqawi is dead.

It is my belief that they are upset. I absorb tons of media primarily from the web and the radio. I especially enjoy listening to Air America Radio. If you turn Air America on today, you will hear how nothing was accomplished with Zarqawi's death. Several times I have heard "callers" or "concerned citizens" express their wish to let Bush lie in his own mess in Iraq. I take this as a wish for Iraq to fall apart.

Am I correct in believing many libs, dems, progs are wringing their hands in frustration? Or am I simply "ignorant"?

You want to talk ignorant.....here's good ol' infowars with alex jones.......

Pentagon Jettisons US Agent Provocateur Al-Zarqawi
http://www.infowars.com/articles/iraq/zarq_jettison.htm

How bout Al-Jazeera making him a martyr?

Al-Zarqawi family reacts to the news
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exer...A64C0F4474.htm

Same mind from opposite sides of the world.:cool:

Hey man, I'd really like to expand this convo. Either here or privately.

[email protected]

YAY so how many times has he been killed...at least this time they know for sure

Quote:

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Originally Posted by minnesota man

Hey man, I'd really like to expand this convo. Either here or privately.

[email protected]

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I'm sittin' in chat if your still around.

have a good one!:thumbsup:

I'm liberal and I'm not frustrated at all by al-Zarqawi's death. I say good riddance to anyone who uses terrorism as a means to an end.

I am, however, a little concerned by the Pentagon showing videos of the bombing and images of his dead body. I understand that certain people must be given direct evidence of his death. But I also know that this is exactly the kind of thing that will aid other terrorist leaders in escalating attacks and recruiting more members.

And for clarification: No, I do not wish to see an escalation in the frequency of terrorist attacks or an increase in members of the insurgency. I feel like I have to say that because many people on the other side of the aisle view critical comments as support for the enemy. Hence my "ignorant" comment earlier.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

How bout Al-Jazeera making him a martyr?

Al-Zarqawi family reacts to the news
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exer...A64C0F4474.htm

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And come on, man. Did you even read the article? It was al-Zarqawi's older brother who said he was now a martyr, not al-Jazeera. I'm not one to defend al-Jazeera's journalistic integrity, but I will call bullshit when someone is trying to mislead.

I read it....Al-Jazeera printed it....find me another paper doing the same? As far as showing the body...I agree in a way but hey, people WATCHED planes being flown into the WTC and still say that it REALLY didn't happen that way.

Have a good one!:thumbsup:

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htm.../20060607.aspx
Zarqawi Scheduled for Martyrdom

June 7, 2006: The relationship between terrorist leader Abu Musab al Zarqawi and and the mainline al Qaeda leadership continues to deteriorate. Zarqawi's recent audio messages have not only attacked the U.S. and the Shia-dominated government in Iraq, but also Iran. He's even claiming that the U.S., Iran, and Shia in general, are in cahoots to destroy Islam. He has also called for continued attacks against Shia.



Except for his verbal attacks on the U.S. and the Iraqi government, he is almost totally distanced himself from the central leadership. Other al Qaeda leaders have been trying to down play anti-Iranian and anti-Shia rhetoric, and have been strongly discouraging attacks on civilians.



Given that Zarqawi has become a loose cannon and that his actions are handicapping Al Qaeda's efforts, it seems reasonable to expect that an accident may befall him at some point in the near future. If handled right it can be made to look like he went out in a blaze of glory fighting American troops or that he was foully murdered. Either way, al Qaeda gets rid of a problem and gains another "martyr."

Yeah, I'm sure he will be remembered. As far as knowing the relationship between al-qaida and zarqawi, I still believe it is a moral blow to their organizations just as today will be remembered as a moral victory for us and our troops.

Ignore me all you want edge240ne. At least I know you're reading it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

I read it....Al-Jazeera printed it....find me another paper doing the same?

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Fox News

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bhallg2k

Fox News

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LOL....a thousand pardons. May your camels humps always be filled with water and her baskets with herb!:D

Have a good one!:thumbsup:

This is all US government propaganda. There were reports saying that Zarqawi did die before...but now he is officially dead. Hmm..thats suspicious.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

LOL....a thousand pardons. May your camels humps always be filled with water and her baskets with herb!:D

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Hehe. He said "humps."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pennsterdam

This is all US government propaganda. There were reports saying that Zarqawi did die before...but now he is officially dead. Hmm..thats suspicious.

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What did I tell ya bhallg2k....thats why they had to show the pics.

Have a good one!:thumbsup:

I wonder how long it takes for Pisshead to post an article from Tinfoilplanet stating that the US has had him for a long time and this is only an attempt to drive up Bush's poll numbers

EDIT: Never mind, i see he already has...Typical.

I'm late getting back into this conversation. Had a heck of a long workday to contend with.

I'm not upset the evil Zarqawi and the other guy are dead. I'm glad. But I worry that it will further inflame an already awful situation. That's all I was saying, Minnesota Man. We know there are literally thousands of others over there who feel the same way those two did, and so two folks getting their fast-ticket to paradise--and gosh, yes, they were dangerous kingpins--doesn't actually do much to fix the larger situation. This is not me being unpatriotic or me being a Bush hater. It's simply reality. And not even just my reality, either. It's the current administration's reality. Read their briefings and releases from today if you dont believe me.

I find myself worried like any normal mother or concerned citizen, including those of you who walk to my right, should be. I worry that it may even make the jihaddists more strongly bent on destruction-retaliation toward us than they were 24 hours ago. I worry that more boys and girls my son's age will be targets of even more ghastly deeds in Iraq (I saw that beheading, too.) I worry, as any mom of a 20-year-old would, for his life and future--and for ours.

That's why Rs and Ds alike today have been agreeing on the fact that the work the current administration is trying to accomplish over there is far from done. This was a very good step. And probably a boon to sagging approval ratings. But it certainly wasn't a huge victory. Don't anyone dare tell me that my saying this means I'm a Bush-hating liberal, either, because if you do, I'll know you're responding emotionally and without having been able to actually read or understand what I'm saying. It's simply about reality.

I agree that our work over there is far from done but actually two huge steps were accomplished today. First of all we bit the head off the Al-Qauda snake....he was trying to promote civil war by blowing up both Sunni and Shi'ites. Without his presense, they lost a key general for their cause. Second part is the last appointments for their unity government. With a SUNNI in charge of the military of all things! After all that has happened since Saddam, the Kurds and Shi'ites appoint a Sunni. BIG STEP!

Forces still need to be trained, etc......But things are happening. Power stations for ALL Iraqis, clean water, restoration of the wetlands that southern Shi'ites depended on, new oil contracts for the Kurdish areas, schools, etc.....

Something of this order has never been done in that region and for three such opposite factions, to be sitting at tables discussing instead of oppressing....well, they've taken great strides!

Have a good one!:thumbsup:

I'm glad for these strides! I truly am. And I'm glad if this is a bigger step than I've understood it to be, too. I got to read most of the early briefings and statements and then the broadcast news, of course, which is mostly just the headlines. But I've not been tuned in since early today because of so much work!

I'm tired as the dickens right now. And I find that if I spend too much time on this subject, I totally personalize it and begin worrying about my son. So I should probably take a breather and not try and write or think about it more. Thanks for helping show me the positives here, my sweet Bud. I needed to read some of those.

I'm now going to depart and allow myself to be taken out to dinner by my husband and son. Steak at Ruth's Chris seems to be on the menu, followed by Italian ices. Somehow I think my mood is going get better since food's involved . . . . Later, friends.

Follow the links under April 6.....and this is still just part of the "good" story:
http://www.kmax.ws/b/goodnewsiniraq.htm

and a post from the past:
http://boards.cannabis.com/showthread.php?t=66386

Have a good one!:thumbsup: