May 09, 2008

Abu Ayyub al-Masri Reportedly Captured (UPDATE :FALSE ALARM)

We're hearing all over that the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq has been captured. He also holds the position of Minister of War in the fictional Islamic State of Iraq. This guy has been reported dead or captured more times than a dog has fleas. I'd take it with a grain of salt until confirmed.

AP Via Yahoo News: BAGHDAD - The leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, was arrested in the northern city of Mosul, the Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman said Thursday.

Spokesman Mohammed al-Askari said the arrest of al-Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, was confirmed to him by the Iraqi commander of the province. There was no immediate confirmation or comment from U.S. forces on the arrest.

The U.S. military in Baghdad said "we are currently checking with Iraqi authorities to confirm the accuracy of this information."

Not hammer time quite yet.

Update 05/08/08 at 06:26: pm cdt: We at TJR predict this will turn out to be another false report. We have our reasons. Remember you heard it here first folks.

Update by Vinnie Since some are skeptical of our skepticism, here's what we received from our sources on the subject:

From a buddy over there hunting that dipshit right now:

By the way...wrong guy. The stupid Iraqi General screwed up the guys kunya (Abu name). Oops. Looks like an Iraqi General has hummous on his face.

Update II by Howie 05/09/08 06:35 am CDT:

Via CNN: Abu Ayyub al-Masri, the head of al Qaeda in Iraq, has not been captured, a senior U.S. military official told CNN on Friday. Iraqi authorities said Thursday that al-Masri had been captured in Mosul.
Hate to say it, but we told you so...

Jawas and Allahpundit, we're like Sith Lords.

By Howie at 06:35 AM | |