Al-Qaeda has confirmed the deaths of two of its Iraqi leaders, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Hamzai al-Muhajir, in a statement on jihadist forums Saturday, according to SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks terrorist activities.
Al-Baghdadi was the former leader of the Mujahideen Shura Council (Council of Freedom Fighters), and the Islamic State of Iraq. Al-Muhajir took al-Qaeda leadership in Iraq in 2006. U.S and Iraqi authorities had already announced the deaths after a shootout on April 18.
Vice President Joe Biden called the deaths a “potentially devastating blow” to al-Qaeda in Iraq.
Iraqi authorities say the deaths sparked a rash of bombings targeting Shi’ite mosques around Baghdad on Friday.
In the wake of the bombings, influential, anti-U.S. Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, has offered to help the Iraqi government maintain security by reactivating the paramilitary Mahdi Army under his command.
Al-Baghdadi was the former leader of the Mujahideen Shura Council (Council of Freedom Fighters), and the Islamic State of Iraq. Al-Muhajir took al-Qaeda leadership in Iraq in 2006. U.S and Iraqi authorities had already announced the deaths after a shootout on April 18.
Vice President Joe Biden called the deaths a “potentially devastating blow” to al-Qaeda in Iraq.
Iraqi authorities say the deaths sparked a rash of bombings targeting Shi’ite mosques around Baghdad on Friday.
In the wake of the bombings, influential, anti-U.S. Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, has offered to help the Iraqi government maintain security by reactivating the paramilitary Mahdi Army under his command.