Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is dead. Yes, he is. What can I say? From my perspective, a monster departs the realm of the living.
I’m sure further details will emerge throughout the day.
Prediction: Conspiracy theorists will come up with all kinds of plots and claim that the U.S. had him in custody all along and he was killed to offset negative press reports about Haditha. And variants on that theme as well.
Update: MNF-I press release – Coalition forces kill Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi
Update II: I’ve talked to a few of my Iraqi co-workers. Every one of them has expressed a sentiment that “today is a good day in Iraq.” For them, news of Zarqawi’s death is personal.
Update III: Omar at Iraq the Model celebrates and discusses the terrrorist’s legacy of horror.
CONGRATULATIONS TO IRAQ, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WHOLE WORLD ON THIS VICTORY.
Watching the live press conference on the Pentagon Channel, which is happening next door as I write this. Someone already asked about the fortuitous timing – Zarqawi killed and important cabinet members named on the same day? Well, yeah, sometimes good things come in waves.
Update V: Photo of dead Zarqawi and video of the air strike available at MNF-Iraq.com. I link to the photo as proof, not because I want to gloat. Zarqawi dead does not bring back any of his victims, it only ensures he cannot plan more murders. There are also slides available from today’s press conference here.
Update VI: It’s now my understanding that Zarqawi was killed by the air strike, and not by forces on the ground, although it is clear that there were many different groups involved in yesterday’s assault, from both coalition and Iraqi forces. Interestingly, I’m told Iraqi police were the first ground elements to arrive on scene post air strike.