Coalition forces kill Abu Musab al-Zarqawi

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BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) --  Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Multi-National Force-Iraq commanding general, announced the death of al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in the following statement during a press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad on June 8:

“Ladies and gentlemen, coalition forces killed al-Qaida terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and one of his key lieutenants, spiritual advisor Sheik Abd-al-Rahman, yesterday, June 7, at 6:15 p.m. in an air strike against an identified, isolated safe house.

“Tips and intelligence from Iraqi senior leaders from his network led forces to al-Zarqawi and some of his associates who were conducting a meeting approximately eight kilometers north of Baqubah when the air strike was launched."

In a later press conference, Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, spokesperson for the Multi-National Force Iraq, confirmed that Air Force aircraft were involved in this coalition effort. There were two F-16 Fighting Falcons that carried out the air strike.

“Iraqi police were first on the scene after the air strike, and elements of Multi-National Division North, arrived shortly thereafter," General Casey said. "Coalition forces were able to identify al-Zarqawi by fingerprint verification, facial recognition and known scars.

"Al-Zarqawi and al-Qaida in Iraq have conducted terrorist activities against the Iraqi people for years in attempts to undermine the Iraqi national government and coalition efforts to rebuild and stabilize Iraq," General Casey said. "He is known to be responsible for the deaths of thousands of Iraqis. Al-Zarqawi’s death is a significant blow to al-Qaida and another step toward defeating terrorism in Iraq.

“Although the designated leader of al-Qaida in Iraq is now dead, the terrorist organization still poses a threat as its members will continue to try to terrorize the Iraqi people and destabilize their government as it moves toward stability and prosperity. Iraqi forces, supported by the coalition, will continue to hunt terrorists that threaten the Iraqi people until terrorism is eradicated in Iraq.”