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Al-Qaeda Iraq leader 'arrested' | Al-Qaeda Iraq leader 'arrested' |
(10 minutes later) | |
The leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, has been arrested, according to media reports quoting the country's defence ministry. | The leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, has been arrested, according to media reports quoting the country's defence ministry. |
Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, was detained in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, the reports said. | Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, was detained in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, the reports said. |
The US military in Iraq said it was currently looking into the reports. | |
The Egyptian-born militant took over the leadership of the group from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi shortly after he was killed in a US air strike in June 2006. | The Egyptian-born militant took over the leadership of the group from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi shortly after he was killed in a US air strike in June 2006. |
Masri is believed to have helped Zarqawi form the first al-Qaeda cell in Baghdad following the US-led invasion in 2003. | Masri is believed to have helped Zarqawi form the first al-Qaeda cell in Baghdad following the US-led invasion in 2003. |
After becoming leader, he vowed to "continue what Sheikh Abu Musab began" and avenge his death with attacks that would "turn your children's hair white". | After becoming leader, he vowed to "continue what Sheikh Abu Musab began" and avenge his death with attacks that would "turn your children's hair white". |
In April 2007, he was named "minister of war" in the 10-man cabinet of the Islamic State of Iraq, an umbrella organisation of Sunni militant groups. | In April 2007, he was named "minister of war" in the 10-man cabinet of the Islamic State of Iraq, an umbrella organisation of Sunni militant groups. |
Shortly afterwards, the Iraqi government claimed Masri had been killed in an "internal battle" between militants, but this was quickly denied by the group. | Shortly afterwards, the Iraqi government claimed Masri had been killed in an "internal battle" between militants, but this was quickly denied by the group. |
In an hour-long audio tape broadcast last month, he purportedly called for renewed attacks on US troops and noted the recent announcement that 4,000 had died in Iraq. | In an hour-long audio tape broadcast last month, he purportedly called for renewed attacks on US troops and noted the recent announcement that 4,000 had died in Iraq. |
"We must celebrate this event in our special way, and make the defeated Bush join us in this celebration," he said. | "We must celebrate this event in our special way, and make the defeated Bush join us in this celebration," he said. |