US troops kill No. 2 leader of al-Qaida in Iraq

American troops acting on a tip killed the No. 2 leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, a Moroccan, in a raid on one of the terror group’s command centers in the north, the U.S. military said Wednesday.

The Oct. 5 death of the man known as Abu Qaswarah was a major blow to the terror network as American commanders have warned it remains a significant threat. The military statement described him as a charismatic leader who trained in Afghanistan and managed to rally al-Qaida followers in Iraq despite U.S. and Iraqi security gains.

The insurgent leader, also known as Abu Sara, became the senior al-Qaida in Iraq emir of northern Iraq in June 2007 and had “historic ties to AQI founder Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and senior al-Qaida leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the military said.

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Posted in * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, Iraq War, Military / Armed Forces

8 comments on “US troops kill No. 2 leader of al-Qaida in Iraq

  1. Sick & Tired of Nuance says:

    Praise God that such a major proponent of suicide bombing is no longer able to spread hate. Praise God that our soldiers, including my nephew, are safer now from IEDs. Lord, have mercy on us all and bring this war to an end in your time. May your purposes be fulfilled and may your name be glorified. Amen.

  2. Bernini says:

    Huzzah for the long arm of the United States Military!

  3. Byzantine says:

    I have seen this headline several times before. I expect I will see it again. And again.

  4. phil swain says:

    Contrary to your expectations, Byzantine, there’s some good evidence that al-Qaida in Iraq is recognizing their defeat and re-deploying to Afganistan and Pakistan.

  5. evan miller says:

    Good shooting, guys.

  6. Dallas Priest says:

    Probably the lead story on all the major news networks soon coming to your TV.

  7. Little Cabbage says:

    Read the latest on Pakistan and Afghanistan: both countries are collapsing, and anti-Americanism is growing. The neocon crusade into Iraq was wrong-headed in so many ways, and working class Americans have and will continue to pay the price in the blood of our young and the stunted economy we and our children face. All this courtesy GW Bush & the neocons who took over the GOP. To my Republican friends, please, please, take back your party! Toss Kristol, Cheney, Palin, Wolfowitz & Co. to the curb, and reclaim your heritage as a thinking person’s party!

  8. evan miller says:

    #7
    Don’t try to make this war fit your little class warrior worldview.
    One of those “working class” Americans whose son will soon be over there is Gov. Palin. This war is immpacting the sons of the middle class as well. One of Sen. McCain’s children is also in theater. I work for the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs and our Army and Air National Guardsmen come from across the economic and demographic spectrum. Many have served three tours in Iraq and/or Afghanistan since 9/11 and the burdens (and casualties) are shared by all.