Global General

Al Qaeda's two top Iraq leaders killed in raid

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-04-20 02:41

BAGHDAD - Al Qaeda's top two leaders in Iraq have been killed, officials said on Monday, in a strike the US military predicted would deal militants a "potentially devastating blow" but whose impact analysts said may be limited.

Al Qaeda's two top Iraq leaders killed in raid

An undated file photo released by the US military shows Iraq's al Qaeda leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri. Al-Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir. [Agencies]

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said al Qaeda's Iraq leader, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the purported head of its local affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq, were found dead in a hole in the ground inside a house after it was surrounded and stormed by troops.

The deaths could be a major setback to the stubborn insurgency at a time when Iraq is emerging from the sectarian slaughter unleashed after the 2003 US-led invasion but still struggling to end suicide bombings and other attacks.

"The death of these terrorists is potentially the most significant blow to al Qaeda in Iraq since the beginning of the insurgency," said the US commander in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno. The military described it as "a potentially devastating blow".

The killings may boost Maliki's stature as he tries to ensure his reappointment as prime minister following a March 7 general election that produced no outright winner.

Maliki's ambitions for a second term are proving to be a stumbling block to the formation of an alliance between Iraq's two main Shi'ite Muslim political groups that would give them the clout to form a government.

Maliki said Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir and thought to be an Egyptian, and Baghdadi were killed in Thar-Thar, a rural area 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Baghdad that is regarded as a hotbed of al Qaeda activity.

"This operation is a fatal blow to al Qaeda groups and promotes Iraqi efforts for rebuilding and reconstruction," Maliki said at a news conference. The US military said the operation took place on Sunday 10 km (six miles) southwest of Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's home town.

A US soldier died in a helicopter crash during the assault, the US military said. It had previously said the crash was an accident and not due to hostile fire.

An assistant of Masri's and a son of Baghdadi's were also killed in the fighting and at least 16 people were arrested.

Maliki said the house was destroyed and the bodies of Masri and Baghdadi were found in a hole in the ground in which they had been hiding.