Zarqawi May Be Dead
I’m taking this with a HUGE grain of salt, but I just now got to the computer and found this at LGF (from the comments here–thanks Billy Budd). Now (hours after LGF posted) it’s being reported at the AP, and Iraq the Model has it from one additional source. Still nothing on TV; I’ve had Fox News on as background noise all day, and they’ve got nothing as of right now.
In Washington, a U.S. official said the identities of the terror suspects killed in the Saturday raid was unknown. Asked if they could include al-Zarqawi, the official replied: “There are efforts under way to determine if he was killed.”
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information.
On Saturday, police Brig. Gen. Said Ahmed al-Jubouri said the raid was launched after a tip that top al-Qaida operatives, possibly including al-Zarqawi, were in the house in the northeastern part of the city.
During the intense gunbattle that followed, three insurgents detonated explosives and killed themselves to avoid capture, Iraqi officials said. Eleven Americans were wounded, the U.S. military said. Such intense resistance often suggests an attempt to defend a high-value target.
The Elaph Arab media website reported on Sunday that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the head of the al-Qaida in Iraq terror group, may have been killed in Iraq on Sunday afternoon when eight terrorists blew themselves up in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.
Like I said, a HUGE grain of salt…it’s not like it would be the first time the media was wrong about something. I hope they’re right about this…
Scott at Speed of Thought has a bunch of links to others watching and waiting, and In the Bullpen has more details from DEBKA, including this:
DEBKAfile Exclusive: US forces and forensic experts are examining the bodies of eight high-ranking al Qaeda leaders in Mosul to find out if their chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is among them.
A sample of his DNA is in American possession for a match-up.
The bodies they are trying to identify are of 7 men and one woman, who blew themselves up Sunday, Nov. 20, after their hideout in northern Iraq was under siege by a large US force, backed by tanks and helicopters. The bodies are burned black and unrecognizable. Four Iraqi security officers were killed and 10 injured in the operation.
I’ve got a lot of catching up to do…stay tuned.
1700 CST: Fox News (TV) says a few words about it, but reports the White House is saying it’s “highly unlikely.”
I’m finding more news sources, but they’re all using the same AP and Jerusalem Post reports. I guess for now, we just wait and see. I couldn’t get to one subscription site, but Dreams Into Lightning did; from Stratfor via DIL:
Al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi may have been killed in Iraq, the Jerusalem Post reported Nov. 20, citing the Elaph Arabic language media Web site. According to Elaph, al-Zarqawi may have been among a group of eight insurgents killed after their safe-house was surrounded by coalition forces in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, 225 miles north of Baghdad. According to Iraqi officials, an intense gunbattle erupted after U.S. and Iraqi forces surrounded the farmhouse at dawn on Nov. 19. Three insurgents reportedly blew themselves up and the others were killed by small-arms fire.
1800 CST: Fox News TV is talking about it more, but there’s nothing new that we haven’t heard in the above.
OK, I’m leaving this as is. Speed of Thought is rounding up blogger posts, so check in there.
I’ll stand by and hope that bastard is one of those eight. Remember, this is just rumor at this point.
UPDATE, 2030 CST:
BEIJING (AFX) - The White House said it was ‘highly unlikely’ that Al-Qaeda’s leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, had been killed.
White House spokesman Trent Duffy told Agence France-Presse in Beijing, as President George W Bush was wrapping up a trip to China, that the story was ‘highly unlikely, not credible.’
Speed of Thought... says:
Is Abu dead?…
There is at least one report he is. Hmmm.
Update: Then there is this, Eight high-ranking al Qaeda leaders kill themselves.
Right Voices says:
Healthy Dose of Skepticism Required
Report: al-Zarqawi may have been killed in Mosul
The Elaph Arab media website reported on Sunday that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the head of the al-Qaida in Iraq terror group, may have been killed in Iraq on Sunday afternoon when eight terrorists blew th…
Asher Abrams says:
Beth, outstanding roundup. You might be interested in visiting my post -
Dreams Into Lightning: Is Zarqawi Dead?
Once More into the Breach says:
Did Sajida Mubarak Atrous al-Rishawi Drop the Dim
With her family connections she could be knowledgeable of his whereabouts.
Oblogatory Anecdotes says:
AL Zarkawi Killed?
If this is true this would be the most significant event in the war in Iraq since capturing Saddam Hussain. Al Zarqawi is believed to be the man beheading prisoners in most of the videos that have come out. He has overtaken even Osama Bin Laden as th…
Small Town Veteran says:
Did al-Zarqawi get his due?
… Amazingly enough, al-AP has even seen fit to mention that one of their heroes may not be around any more: Al-Zarqawi May Be Among Dead in Iraq Fight. Watch for an admiring obit in The New York Times any day now.
Stop The ACLU says:
Zarqawi May Be Dead
Jerusalem Post
The Elaph Arab media website reported on Sunday that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the head of the al-Qaida in Iraq terror group, may have been killed in Iraq on Sunday afternoon when eight terrorists blew themselves up in the northern Iraqi c…
Political Satire Fake News - The Nose On Your Face says:
On Zarqawi’s Brave
It is not often that I agree with a decision that a terrorist mastermind makes, but I have to admit that my hat is off to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. When I heard that the head of Al-Qaeda in Iraq