Islamic State of Iraq's "War Minister" Reported Dead

Although not yet confirmed, reports out of Baghdad claim that Iraqi al Qaeda leader Abu Ayyub al- Masri has been killed. This claim is based on tribal reports, not that of the Iraqi government.

Al-Masri had been recently named "war minister" to the newly formed Cabinet of the Islamic State of Iraq, an insurgent group. This group serves as an umbrella for such groups as al Qaeda, and claims responsibility for many of the attacks, suicide bombers, and other violent acts in recent weeks. According to CNN, this group claimed responsibility for "a suicide attack at the Iraqi parliament, the killings of nine U.S. soldiers in Diyala province and the execution of 20 security force officers."

Also according to CNN, al-Masri's group handed out leaflets on Saturday to Samarra law enforcement, "warning that they have three days to 'repent' or be killed," and then, "told police to use loudspeaker at mosques and marketplaces to announce their rejection of the 'apostate state' and their joining of the 'Islamic State'".

An explosion at an al Qaeda and Sunni altercation in a Sunni controlled area is believed to be the situation resulting in al-Masri's death. Al-Masri had been appointed to his position after the previous "minister" Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed last June.

Neither the U.S. nor Iraq is jumping to conclusions that Abu Ayyub al-Masri (also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajer) has indeed been killed. From CNN.com, "Iraqi security forces so not have the body," al-Dahhagh said on Iraqi state TV. 'Iraqi security forces and Multi-National Forces are trying to retrieve the body for visual identification and DNA tests.'" FOXNews.com reported "U.S. spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Garver said the U.S. command was looking into the reports. 'Obviously I hope it's true,' Garver said, pointing out that previous Iraqi claims had proven false. 'We want to be very careful before we confirm or deny anything like that.'" CNN quoted Garver as saying "I have no confirmation of what is being reported in the Iraqi media."

While al-Qaeda is by far the most powerful insurgent group under the umbrella of the Islamic State of Iraq, is it only one of eight such groups. Other than al-Masri, the Islamic State of Iraq has nine other Cabinet members. Listed only by their pseudonyms, head of the Cabinet (or "emir of the faithful"), is Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, and Sheik Abu Abdul-Rahman al-Falahi as the emir's first minister. According to FOXNews.com, "other positions included ministers of information, prisoners and martyrs," as well "as agriculture and health"

Sources:

www.cnn.com

www.foxnews.com