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08/06/2006
Al-Qaeda Iraq chief Al-Zarqawi killed
Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq, has been killed.
Zarqawi, who was the most wanted man in Iraq and had a £25 million bounty on his head, was killed during a US air raid in a house just north of Baghdad, where Zarqawi and his associates were meeting.
Seven of his aides were also killed during the raid, which was carried out following a tip-off given to Iraqi security forces, reportedly by senior leaders within his network.
Zarqawi is understood to have been identified by fingerprints and facial recognition.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki announced Zarqawi's death at a press conference on Thursday morning, saying, "today Zarqawi has been terminated" to cheers from the gathered journalists.
Zarqawi is thought to have been behind many of the worst attacks in Iraq and is also reportedly to have personally beheaded several Western hostages, including Liverpool engineer Ken Bigley, who was killed in October 2004, three weeks after he was kidnapped.
Mr Bigley's family welcomed the news of Zarqawi's death. His brother Paul branded him an "animal" and a "very evil person" and said: "May he rot in hell."
Prime Minister Tony Blair also welcomed the news. He said: "His death is a strike against al-Qaeda in Iraq and therefore a strike against al-Qaeda everywhere. Our determination to defeat them is total."
(KMcA/SP)
Zarqawi, who was the most wanted man in Iraq and had a £25 million bounty on his head, was killed during a US air raid in a house just north of Baghdad, where Zarqawi and his associates were meeting.
Seven of his aides were also killed during the raid, which was carried out following a tip-off given to Iraqi security forces, reportedly by senior leaders within his network.
Zarqawi is understood to have been identified by fingerprints and facial recognition.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki announced Zarqawi's death at a press conference on Thursday morning, saying, "today Zarqawi has been terminated" to cheers from the gathered journalists.
Zarqawi is thought to have been behind many of the worst attacks in Iraq and is also reportedly to have personally beheaded several Western hostages, including Liverpool engineer Ken Bigley, who was killed in October 2004, three weeks after he was kidnapped.
Mr Bigley's family welcomed the news of Zarqawi's death. His brother Paul branded him an "animal" and a "very evil person" and said: "May he rot in hell."
Prime Minister Tony Blair also welcomed the news. He said: "His death is a strike against al-Qaeda in Iraq and therefore a strike against al-Qaeda everywhere. Our determination to defeat them is total."
(KMcA/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry day with long spells of sunshine for most, however eastern coasts will see rather more in the way of cloud at times, with just the risk of an odd light morning shower. Mainly light northerly winds. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:A fine end to the day with some evening sunshine. It remains dry overnight with a touch of frost possible in places, although cloud is expected to increase towards dawn. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
