Seven Alleged Al-Qaeda Members Killed In Iraq

Iraqi police enforce a curfew in Ba'qubah in May (epa) June 12, 2006 -- The U.S. military says air strikes today near the Iraqi city of Ba'qubah killed seven Al-Qaeda members.

A U.S. statement says the seven were linked to senior Al-Qaeda leaders across Iraq. Two children were also killed.


The air strikes were close to the site where the terrorist movement's leader in Iraq, Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, was killed last week.


The results of an autopsy on al-Zarqawi should be released on June 12, the U.S. military said.


The implications of al-Zarqawi's death will be at the center of debate at a war council called by U.S. President George W. Bush today. Another topic to be discussed is a time frame for the return of U.S. troops from Iraq.


On June 11, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said the government could be nearing an agreement with some insurgents groups. He added that al-Zarqawi's death will likely cause rifts among other insurgent groups.


However, the violence appears to be continuing unabated, with at least 16 fatalities reported on June 12.


In the capital, Baghdad, at least 10 were killed in two attacks in different parts of Baghdad. In one of the incidents, a roadside bomb targeted a bus carrying workers.


Elsewhere, two people were killed and 42 wounded when a car bomb went off near a gas station in the northern town of Tal Afar.


Officials also announced that four Iraqi army soldiers were killed outside the restive city of Ba'qubah when a suicide car bomber targeted a new checkpoint. That incident occurred on June 11.


(compiled from news agencies)

RFE/RL Iraq Report

RFE/RL Iraq Report


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