Rumor that Al Qaeda in Iraq Leader Al Masri is dead Rumor that Al Qaeda in Iraq Leader Al Masri is dead

Gateway Pundit: Rumors: Al Qaeda in Iraq Leader Al Masri A Dead Terrorist!. Abu Ayyub al-Masri apparently took over al Qaeda in Iraq from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi upon his unlamented demise last year. Of course, there are still those denying that al Qaeda is operating in Iraq, despite the recent claim that Osama ben Laden had taken over operations there. Nevertheless, if the rumor is true, there are a couple of interesting facets to it.

First, he was apparently killed by Sunni tribesmen. This would likely be strong indication that our reproachment with the Sunni tribes in Anbar is paying dividends. For the first four or so years after our incursion into Iraq, they aided and abetted al Qaeda and the flow of foreign born terrorists into Iraq. Al Qaeda then overstayed their welcome, trying to impose strict Sharia law in the areas that they dominated. This seems to be coming to a screaching halt, with 80% of the Anbar tribes signing on with the government and now working closely with Iraqi and American security forces.

Secondly, there is indication that al-Masri was in Iraq BEFORE we invaded. That is, of course, impossible, esp. since al Qaeda is still, according to many, still not in Iraq. And, esp. since it is also common accepted wisdom that Saddam Hussein wouldn't work with fundamentalist Sunni terrorists like al Qaeda.