lucky wilbury
10-26-2004, 02:07 AM
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBHTO5MR0E.html
U.S. Military Says Al-Zarqawi Aide Killed in Airstrike in Fallujah
The Associated Press
Published: Oct 26, 2004
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The U.S. military said Tuesday that an aide to Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed in an airstrike in the militant stronghold of Fallujah.
The 3 a.m. strike hit a known safehouse being used by al-Zarqawi's terrorist network, killing a "known associate," a military statement said.
U.S. officials believe al-Zarqawi's group, formerly known as Tawhid and Jihad, is headquartered in Fallujah, located about 40 miles west of Baghdad.
U.S. forces have been hitting the insurgent stronghold for weeks, stepping up aerial and artillery assaults significantly in recent weeks in an attempt to root out the group, which renamed itself Al-Qaida in Iraq.
The terror group has claimed responsibility in numerous suicide bombings and beheadings of foreign hostages.
"Recent strikes and raids targeting the Abu Musab al-Zarqawi network have severely degraded its ability to conduct attacks," the U.S. statement said.
Fallujah fell under rebel control after the Bush administration ordered Marines to lift their three-week siege of the city in April. U.S. commanders have spoken of a new offensive to clear rebel strongholds ahead of Iraq's crucial elections in January.
The United States has offered a $25 million bounty for the capture or killing of al-Zarqawi.
AP-ES-10-26-04 0121EDT
U.S. Military Says Al-Zarqawi Aide Killed in Airstrike in Fallujah
The Associated Press
Published: Oct 26, 2004
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The U.S. military said Tuesday that an aide to Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed in an airstrike in the militant stronghold of Fallujah.
The 3 a.m. strike hit a known safehouse being used by al-Zarqawi's terrorist network, killing a "known associate," a military statement said.
U.S. officials believe al-Zarqawi's group, formerly known as Tawhid and Jihad, is headquartered in Fallujah, located about 40 miles west of Baghdad.
U.S. forces have been hitting the insurgent stronghold for weeks, stepping up aerial and artillery assaults significantly in recent weeks in an attempt to root out the group, which renamed itself Al-Qaida in Iraq.
The terror group has claimed responsibility in numerous suicide bombings and beheadings of foreign hostages.
"Recent strikes and raids targeting the Abu Musab al-Zarqawi network have severely degraded its ability to conduct attacks," the U.S. statement said.
Fallujah fell under rebel control after the Bush administration ordered Marines to lift their three-week siege of the city in April. U.S. commanders have spoken of a new offensive to clear rebel strongholds ahead of Iraq's crucial elections in January.
The United States has offered a $25 million bounty for the capture or killing of al-Zarqawi.
AP-ES-10-26-04 0121EDT