Abu Ayyub al-Masri had been killed?

[Ret10Echo]

BAGHDAD - Iraqi officials have received reports that the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq was killed by Sunni tribesmen, but the chief government spokesman said Tuesday the information has not been confirmed.

The statement by spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh followed a welter of reports from other Iraqi officials that Abu Ayyub al-Masri had been killed. Iraqi officials have released similar reports in the past, only to acknowledge later they were inaccurate.

U.S. officials said they could not confirm the reported death.

Al-Dabbagh told Al-Arabiya that word of al-Masri's purported death was based on "intelligence information," adding that "DNA tests should be done and we have to bring someone to identify the body."

But he refused to say unequivocally whether Iraqi security forces have the body, citing security restrictions. Accounts were vague about when and where al-Masri supposedly died.

[TENGU]

Is it possible the tide is turning? If it's true the former Sunni insurgent tribe
terminated this scum, then that is a sign of progress! Now if only a Sniper
could take out Muqui- Al Sadr , that would be a sure sign of progress!

[Gypsy]

Fingers crossed...

[Ret10Echo]

I'm surprised that he hasn't made a statement / video yet.

Iraq militants deny leader death

Masri is believed to have formed al-Qaeda's first cell in Baghdad
Insurgents in Iraq have denied a government claim that the head of al-Qaeda in Iraq has been killed in an "internal battle" between militants.
The Islamic State of Iraq group, which includes al-Qaeda in Iraq, said Abu Ayyub al-Masri was alive, in an online statement which cannot be verified.

Earlier, Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani said he had "primary information" showing Masri was dead.

But the US military said it was unable to confirm the minister's claim.