By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/iraqs-king-clubs-reportedly-killed-tikrit Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Iraq’s ‘king of clubs’ reportedly killed in Tikrit World Apr 17, 2015 11:32 AM EDT Deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s right-hand man, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, who more recently allied himself with Islamic State militants, was killed by government forces in Tikrit, the city’s provincial governor told the Associated Press on Friday. Al-Douri was reported captured and killed several times before, but this time the Iraqi government showed graphic photos of the corpse. The distinguishing characteristic of his mustache could be seen in the photos. Iraqi intelligence sources told the AP that DNA tests were underway. Al-Douri’s face was on the “king of clubs” in the deck of playing cards picturing sought-after fugitives issued by the Defense Intelligence Agency at the start of the Iraq war in 2003. He was the No. 2 man in the Baathist regime and disappeared after the U.S. invasion began. Last June, Islamic State militants overran Saddam’s hometown Tikrit, located northwest of Baghdad in central Iraq. Government forces retook the city on April 1. Follow @NewsHourWorld 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
Deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s right-hand man, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, who more recently allied himself with Islamic State militants, was killed by government forces in Tikrit, the city’s provincial governor told the Associated Press on Friday. Al-Douri was reported captured and killed several times before, but this time the Iraqi government showed graphic photos of the corpse. The distinguishing characteristic of his mustache could be seen in the photos. Iraqi intelligence sources told the AP that DNA tests were underway. Al-Douri’s face was on the “king of clubs” in the deck of playing cards picturing sought-after fugitives issued by the Defense Intelligence Agency at the start of the Iraq war in 2003. He was the No. 2 man in the Baathist regime and disappeared after the U.S. invasion began. Last June, Islamic State militants overran Saddam’s hometown Tikrit, located northwest of Baghdad in central Iraq. Government forces retook the city on April 1. Follow @NewsHourWorld A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now