Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Killed in Matador?

AL-ZARQAWI SERIOUSLY INJURED, SAYS IRAQI OFFICIAL (AKI)

The Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is “serious injured, possibly dead” according to Colonel Fouad Hani Hassan, commander of the fifth division of the Iraqi armed forces, cited by ‘Elaph’, a popular website in the Arab world. Al-Zarqawi, considered al-Qaeda’s leader in Iraq, is believed to have been injured in the major offensive US-led forces have been carrying out in the western Anbar province over the last few days.

Operation Matador is centred around the town of Qaim, just a few kilometres from the Syrian border, and is aimed at destroying the strongholds of foreign fighters coming over the border into Iraq to join the insurgency. It’s the fourth day of violent fighting around the town, which has been surrounded by troops since Saturday night. Bombing is said to be heavy in Qaim, where there has been house-to-house fighting between troops and insurgents.

He’s been reported dead before, so I shan’t get too excited until I see his head on a stick. Or dry ice. Or whatever they’re putting dead terrorists’ heads on these days.

At any rate, the report is four hours old and hasn’t circulated beyond this one report and the blogs who have picked it up.

via Kate McMillan via Captain’s Quarters

UPDATE: (June 8, 2006) He’s finally, actually dead. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Killed (Video)

FILED UNDER: Uncategorized, , , , , ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.