The US military said several previous reports of Masri's death were found to be false [AFP]
Iraqi authorities are investigating reports that Abu Ayyub al-Masri, the alleged leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, has been killed in a battle within his own group.
"Some information... needs confirmation, but this information is very strong," said Brigadier General Abdel Karim Khalaf, interior ministry operations director.
"The clashes took place among themselves. There were clashes within the groups of al-Qaeda. He w Khalaf said al-Masri was apparently killed in a battle near a bridge in the town of al-Nibayi, north of Baghdad. He said that Iraqi authorities did not have al-Masri's body. Your Views "As long as profitable weaponry can be made and delivered, the killing [in the Middle East] will continue" Judiann, bloomington, USA Send us your viewsAnother interior ministry source said Masri had been killed. US response A US military spokesman could not confirm the report, and said that several previous reports of Masri's death were found to be false. "I hope it's true, we're checking, but we're going to be doubly sure before we can confirm anything," said Lieutenant Colonel Chris Garver. In March, Iraqi media reported that Masri had been wounded in a shootout with Iraqi soldiers, but the information proved unfounded. US officials say Masri, who is allegedly also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, is an Egyptian who specialises in car bombings. He has allegedly headed al-Qaeda’s operations in Iraq since the death of then-leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in a US air-raid in June 2006.
Khalaf said al-Masri was apparently killed in a battle near a bridge in the town of al-Nibayi, north of Baghdad.
He said that Iraqi authorities did not have al-Masri's body.
Your Views "As long as profitable weaponry can be made and delivered, the killing [in the Middle East] will continue" Judiann, bloomington, USA Send us your viewsAnother interior ministry source said Masri had been killed.
"As long as profitable weaponry can be made and delivered, the killing [in the Middle East] will continue"
Judiann, bloomington, USA
Send us your views
US response
A US military spokesman could not confirm the report, and said that several previous reports of Masri's death were found to be false.
"I hope it's true, we're checking, but we're going to be doubly sure before we can confirm anything," said Lieutenant Colonel Chris Garver.
In March, Iraqi media reported that Masri had been wounded in a shootout with Iraqi soldiers, but the information proved unfounded.
US officials say Masri, who is allegedly also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, is an Egyptian who specialises in car bombings.
He has allegedly headed al-Qaeda’s operations in Iraq since the death of then-leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in a US air-raid in June 2006.