By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/al-qaida-deaths Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Two Al-Qaida Leaders Reportedly Killed in Rocket Assault in Iraq World Apr 19, 2010 5:08 PM EDT U.S. and Iraqi forces killed two al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in a nighttime rocket attack, officials said Monday, in what has been called a significant blow to the terrorist group. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told reporters in Baghdad that ground forces surrounded and killed Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyub al-Masri, who were hiding in a safe house in Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit. The prime minister showed reporters photographs of the corpses, and the U.S. military later confirmed their deaths. Al-Masri is reportedly the head of al-Qaida in Iraq and al-Baghdadi is purportedly in charge of its affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq. Al-Maliki called the deaths of the two al-Qaida leaders “a quality blow breaking the back of al-Qaida.” Vice President Joe Biden also referred to the deaths as a “potentially devastating blow” to al-Qaida, while U.S. forces commander Gen. Raymond Odierno said, “There is still work to do but this is a significant step forward in ridding Iraq of terrorists,” quoted The Associated Press. A U.S. helicopter crashed during the attack, killing a soldier, the U.S. military said. Also Monday, Iraq’s election commission said it would recount ballots cast in Baghdad during March 7 national elections, in which a coalition led by former prime minister Ayad Allawi edged out al-Maliki’s alliance to win 91 seats in the 325-member Parliament. Al-Maliki’s coalition, which won 89 seats, has said votes were manipulated, requiring a manual recount of the Baghdad votes. “After the recount, we are hoping the results of the election in Baghdad will change,” said Hajim al-Hassani, a leader of al-Maliki’s bloc, State of Law, The New York Times reported. “Whatever the decision will be, we will accept it.” The partial recount is expected to take at least a week, as the three-member court tasked with investigating election complaints considers additional allegations of fraud. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
U.S. and Iraqi forces killed two al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in a nighttime rocket attack, officials said Monday, in what has been called a significant blow to the terrorist group. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told reporters in Baghdad that ground forces surrounded and killed Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyub al-Masri, who were hiding in a safe house in Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit. The prime minister showed reporters photographs of the corpses, and the U.S. military later confirmed their deaths. Al-Masri is reportedly the head of al-Qaida in Iraq and al-Baghdadi is purportedly in charge of its affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq. Al-Maliki called the deaths of the two al-Qaida leaders “a quality blow breaking the back of al-Qaida.” Vice President Joe Biden also referred to the deaths as a “potentially devastating blow” to al-Qaida, while U.S. forces commander Gen. Raymond Odierno said, “There is still work to do but this is a significant step forward in ridding Iraq of terrorists,” quoted The Associated Press. A U.S. helicopter crashed during the attack, killing a soldier, the U.S. military said. Also Monday, Iraq’s election commission said it would recount ballots cast in Baghdad during March 7 national elections, in which a coalition led by former prime minister Ayad Allawi edged out al-Maliki’s alliance to win 91 seats in the 325-member Parliament. Al-Maliki’s coalition, which won 89 seats, has said votes were manipulated, requiring a manual recount of the Baghdad votes. “After the recount, we are hoping the results of the election in Baghdad will change,” said Hajim al-Hassani, a leader of al-Maliki’s bloc, State of Law, The New York Times reported. “Whatever the decision will be, we will accept it.” The partial recount is expected to take at least a week, as the three-member court tasked with investigating election complaints considers additional allegations of fraud. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now