Posted on 05/11/2005 6:40:58 AM PDT by Quilla
Baghdad, 11 May (AKI) - The Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is "serious injured, possibly dead" according to Colonel Fouad Hani Hassan, commander of the fifth division of the Iraqi armed forces, cited by 'Elaph', one of the most popular websites in the Arab world. Al-Zarqawi, considered al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq, is believed to have been injured in the major offensive US-led forces have been carrying out in the western Anbar province over the last few days.
Operation Matador is centred around the town of Qaim, just a few kilometres from the Syrian border, and is aimed at destroying the strongholds of foreign fighters coming over the border into Iraq to join the insurgency. It's the fourth day of violent fighting around the town, which has been surrounded by troops since Saturday night. Bombing is said to be heavy in the town, where there has been house-to-house fighting between troops and insurgents.
The satellite TV channel Al-Arabiya reported on Wednesday that two US military helicopters were brought down during clashes in villages near Qaim, where military aircraft had been carrying out bombing raids to root out Islamic militants from their hideouts.
On Tuesday, Raja Nawaf, the newly-appointed governor of the Anbar province was kidnapped near Qaim and his family was told he would only be released if US troops pulled out of the town. A US military spokesman responded to the news by reiterating that they do not give into terrorist demands.
While Operation Matador is not specifically aimed at catching al-Zarqawi, Brig. Gen. James Conway told a Pentagon news briefing on Tuesday that "it would be a welcome event to come across him or his body."
This is the biggest US military operation since the offensive on the rebel-held town of Fallujah in November last year. More than 1,000 troops are involved and at least 15 US soldiers are said to have died in the fighting so far. The US military claims some 100 militants have been killed, but inside sources have admitted however, that they have encountered strong resistance in the town, with the insurgents demonstrating a high level of training.
Remember even after the snake is decapitated it wiggles for awhile! Hopefully it's head is missing/removed/extinquished!
Toreador, deals with bulls, "matador" means "killer", I believe.
Me too.
Exactly. This could be misinformation to get us ease up on the effort.
I wouldn't be in the mood for that, but I could certainly piss on him.
would you like fries with that?
How about a pork chop & a beer?
[Spanish, from matar, to kill, possibly from Vulgar Latin *mattre, to beat senseless, perhaps from Latin mattus, stupefied. See mat2.]
A simple wooden pike will do quite nicely. A silver platter is much too good for him.
"Matador" means "killer"; and "torero" means "bullfighter".
what is the perfect side dish with a fillet o' Zarqawi? hhmmm???
Oooorahhhhh.....Get some! His days are numbered :)
Track trace interrogate liquidate. Bring me the head of Al Zarqawi
The Belmont Club blog has a great analysis of Operation Matador.
bttt
Wouldn’t you really rather see his cowardly head is on a paper plate?
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