MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.343.8790
    
Press Release A071226a
December 26, 2007

UPDATE: Coalition forces positively identify terrorist killed in raid

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A terrorist killed south of Samarra Nov. 8 has been positively identified as Abu Abdullah.

Abu Abdullah, also known as Muhammad Sulayman Shunaythir al-Zuba’i, was a high-level al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for a network operating in the Salah ad Din province. Reports indicate Abdullah was an experienced bomb-maker and attack planner who coordinated numerous attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces over the past three years, using a variety of improvised explosive devices combined with small-arms fire.

Abdullah was also allegedly responsible for the kidnapping, extortion and murder of local Iraqis, and it is believed he led a group of foreign terrorists, whom he used to conduct his car-bombing campaigns.

Intelligence reports led Coalition forces to a location where Abdullah was operating. The ground force observed Abdullah, fired warning shots directing him to stop and was then engaged by enemy fire. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire, igniting the vehicle. The ground force observed secondary explosions erupt from the vehicle, indicating that explosives were inside. Abdullah and an associate were killed during the engagement. 

Intelligence indicates that Abdullah had historical ties to the Battle of Fallujah in 2004, and was a close contact of the former al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi before he was killed by Coalition forces in June 2006. Prior to leading an AQI network in Salah ad Din Province, reports indicate Abdullah was a regional Emir controlling AQI terrorists in an area between west Baghdad and east of Fallujah. 

“This was a dangerous terrorist who will never again harm innocent Iraqis,” said Col. Don Bacon, MNF-I spokesman. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorist leaders, like Abu Abdullah, who attempt to deny the Iraqi people a future of their choice.”

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