Posted on 11/11/2005 9:57:46 AM PST by jmc1969
Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, aide to Saddam Hussein, died on Friday, al-Arabiya TV channel quoted a statement by the Baath party as saying.
Al-Douri, vice chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council under Saddam's regime, ranks No. 6 among the 55 most wanted by the United States with a 10-million-dollar bounty on his head.
He died early Friday, the statement said, without giving more details.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.xinhuanet.com ...
Now, if we can only get his twin brother
And who is that mysterious 'Baath party official'? Could it be...the infamous 'There are no Americans in Baghdad' spokesman himself ... Baghdad Bob?
Yes! Awesome! I hope this is true. This guy was a BIG FISH. He was responsible for directing much of the Old Revolutionary Guard's actions.
Until there is a body, it might just be a ruse to get the US to stop looking for him.
King of Clubs
IZZAT IBRAHIM AL-DURI
RCC Vice Chairman
::sniff:: ::sniff::
I can't handle anymore good news
;)
Lead poisoning???
King of Clubs.... DOA.
House of cards is falling. Dims hate that.
ping
We get teased once in a while with a thread saying that this guy has been captured or killed. Please let this be true!!!
They didn't hang him fast enough
He looks Irish...
What an ugly bastard.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CD263401-9216-4D35-B3CE-54D0CED58513.htm
"There are some reports that he is not a well man, suffering from leukemia. Other reports suggest that these are rumours fostered by Ibrahim to lessen the enthusiasm of coalition forces to capture him."
someone beat him like a redheaded step-dictator
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2004/09/mil-040905-3df17a42.htm
DATE=9/5/04
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE= IRAQ ARREST (L-O)
In-Depth Coverage NUMBER=2-318753
BYLINE= PATRICIA NUNAN
DATELINE= BAGHDAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
HEADLINE: Top Aide to Saddam Hussein Arrested
INTRO: Iraq's Defense Ministry has announced the arrest of the most wanted man in Iraq: Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, a deputy to Saddam Hussein. Other officials say at least 70 people were killed in the operation. VOA's Patricia Nunan has more from Baghdad.
TEXT: Defense ministry officials say Iraq's National Guard backed by U.S. forces made the arrest on the outskirts of Tikrit - Saddam Hussein's home town and a stronghold of support. Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri was the most senior aide to Saddam Hussein and the most senior official to escape capture, until now.
Interior Ministry officials say clashes surrounding the arrest left at least 70 dead. Another 80 supporters of Mr. al-Douri were captured.
U.S. officials have not confirmed the arrest.
But Iraqi officials says the arrest operation began when Mr. al-Douri was receiving medical treatment at a clinic in Tikrit, and that he may suffer from leukemia. Blood tests are to be conducted to confirm his identity.
Celebratory gunfire erupted in the streets of the Iraqi capital Baghdad as word of his arrest was spread.
U.S. officials suspect Mr. al-Douri has helped orchestrate the continuing insurgency against coalition forces in Iraq, organizing, funding, and fostering an alliance between former Baath party officials and Islamist elements.
Mr. al-Douri, who is 62-years old, has been a lifetime friend of Saddam Hussein, serving as his deputy on the Revolutionary Command Council. The pair worked together to plot the 1968 coup that brought Saddam to power. Mr. Al-Douri's daughter was married briefly to Saddam's son, Uday.
Mr. al-Douri also commanded military forces in the north of Iraq during the U.S. invasion last year.
The United States listed Mr. al-Douri as the sixth most-wanted man in Iraq at the time of the invasion last year, earning him the rank of king of clubs on the deck of cards made to represent the former government's hierarchy.
The five more senior names on the list - including Saddam Hussein and his two sons - have all either been captured or killed. (SIGNED)
NEB/PN/RAE
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