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26/05/2005
Speculation follows naming of Al Qaeda deputy leader
A website statement posted on Tuesday and signed in the name of Islamist militant group Al Qaeda in Iraq has apparently claimed that the terror group have appointed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as its deputy commander.
However, a subsequent statement from a spokesman for the group denied that any replacement has been named.
It was earlier reported on an Islamist website that the leader of insurgents in Iraq, Zarqawi, had been injured during a sweep of the Iraq-Syria border by US marines a few weeks ago.
The latest statements, which could not be verified, follow recent rumours that he was wounded, possibly shot and taken out of Iraq for medical care, or even possibly had died from wounds.
While none of these rumours have been confirmed, the amount of speculation over the reported incident has been unusual.
One of the most sought after figures by Coalition and Iraqi forces following the post-war phase of the campaign, Al-Zarqawi is believed to be backed by Islamic extremists who have entered Iraq from neighbouring countries.
(CD/SP)
However, a subsequent statement from a spokesman for the group denied that any replacement has been named.
It was earlier reported on an Islamist website that the leader of insurgents in Iraq, Zarqawi, had been injured during a sweep of the Iraq-Syria border by US marines a few weeks ago.
The latest statements, which could not be verified, follow recent rumours that he was wounded, possibly shot and taken out of Iraq for medical care, or even possibly had died from wounds.
While none of these rumours have been confirmed, the amount of speculation over the reported incident has been unusual.
One of the most sought after figures by Coalition and Iraqi forces following the post-war phase of the campaign, Al-Zarqawi is believed to be backed by Islamic extremists who have entered Iraq from neighbouring countries.
(CD/SP)
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19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
06 April 2005
Kurd leader chosen as new Iraq president
Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani has been chosen by the new Iraq parliament to become the country's first democratically elected president. The country's former president, Ghazi al Yawar, a Sunni Arab and Shia Adel Abdel Mahdi, were named as Mr Talabani's vice presidents.
Kurd leader chosen as new Iraq president
Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani has been chosen by the new Iraq parliament to become the country's first democratically elected president. The country's former president, Ghazi al Yawar, a Sunni Arab and Shia Adel Abdel Mahdi, were named as Mr Talabani's vice presidents.
13 August 2004
UN's Iraq envoy calls for Najaf peace deal
The UN's Iraq envoy has called for a peaceful solution to the fighting currently raging in the holy Shiite Muslim city of Najaf.
UN's Iraq envoy calls for Najaf peace deal
The UN's Iraq envoy has called for a peaceful solution to the fighting currently raging in the holy Shiite Muslim city of Najaf.
05 April 2007
British naval crew return to the UK
Fifteen British sailors and marines held captive in Iran have returned to Britain. The group travelled back to Britain from Iran on a British Airways flight which touched down at Heathrow shortly after midday on Thursday.
British naval crew return to the UK
Fifteen British sailors and marines held captive in Iran have returned to Britain. The group travelled back to Britain from Iran on a British Airways flight which touched down at Heathrow shortly after midday on Thursday.
03 February 2004
Blair confirms inquiry into WMD intelligence
On Sunday, US President George Bush announced the creation of an independent bi-partisan inquiry into intelligence failures over Iraq's, so far, undiscovered WMDs, and today it was Tony Blair's turn to set up a similar inquiry this side of the Atlantic.
Blair confirms inquiry into WMD intelligence
On Sunday, US President George Bush announced the creation of an independent bi-partisan inquiry into intelligence failures over Iraq's, so far, undiscovered WMDs, and today it was Tony Blair's turn to set up a similar inquiry this side of the Atlantic.
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