An air strike by American forces has killed terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Thursday. Zarqawi was the leader of the group calling itself Al-Qaeda in Iraq and was the most wanted insurgent leader in Iraq.
President Bush, eager to trump some rare good news on the war in Iraq, said Zarqawi's death 'delivered justice to the most wanted terrorist in Iraq' and represented a 'severe blow to Al-Qaeda' and 'an opportunity for Iraq's new government to turn the tide' against the insurgency.
The Americans were tipped off to Zarqawi's location on tips from U.S. and Jordanian intelligence officials. Two F-16 warplanes dropped two 500-pound bombs on the site where Zarqawi was killed.
Zarqawi was the most prominent leader of foreign jihadists in Iraq. The Jordanian born terrorist was known for his ruthless execution of foreigners which often included beheading them on videotape. He also inspired many foreigners to join the Iraqi insurgency. In addition to executing foreigners, Zarqawi planned bombings and committed or planned numerous acts of terror.
Both American leaders and insurgent groups understand that the death of Zarqawi does not mean an end to the insurgency. An al-Qaeda leader in Baquba said, 'If Zarqawi is dead, there will be a thousand Zarqawis that will be ready to take over the helm of leadership.'
American General George Casey acknowledged that the insurgency and sectarian violence in Iraq will continue for the foreseeable future. 'Although the designated leader of al Qaeda in Iraq is now dead, the terrorist organization will continue to try to terrorize the Iraqi people,' Casey said Thursday.
In the short run, Zarqawi's death may create additional recruitment for al-Qaeda as the former terrorist leader has now become a 'martyr' whose death needs to be 'avenged.'
However, American leaders are hoping that the death of Iraq's most wanted terrorist may also inspire new confidence in the fledgling Iraqi government's ability to protect people. It may therefore encourage more citizens to give information to the government to fight the insurgency.
Reaction to Zarqawi's death was predictably favorable in the West. Paul Bigley, whose brother Ken was beheaded by Zarqawi told Channel Four News in England, 'The man was an animal and he deserved what he got. And may he rot in hell.'
