WASHINGTON (AFP) — A senior leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq was killed in a US air strike in Iraq this week, a US military commander said Friday, calling it a key loss to a group already fractured by US operations.
Brigadier General Joseph Anderson identified the man as Abu Usama al-Tunisi, a Tunisian described as a in line to succeed Abu Ayyub al-Masri, Al-Qaeda in Iraq’s Egyptian leader.
Tunisi also led a cell in Yusifiyah that kidnapped and killed two US soldiers June 16, 2006 — Kristian Menchaca, 23, and Thomas Tucker, 25, according to Anderson.
“Abu Usama al-Tunisi was one of the most senior leaders within Al-Qaeda in Iraq,” said Anderson, the chief of staff of Multi-National Corps Iraq.
The general said the September 25 strike that killed al-Tunisi was a “significant blow” to al Qaeda in Iraq, which he said has been severely disrupted by US operations and may now be reassessing its position in Iraq.
He said his opinion was that Al-Qaeda will shift its forces from Iraq to Afghanistan, and try to expand its operations there.
Hopefully, we haven’t and never will forget what al-Tunisi and al-Qaeda did to Tucker and Menchaca. I hoped then that we would send a clear message that we would not stand for this torture, mutilation and murder of American Troops.
HOOAH!!!! for our Troops for killing this monster.
