BAGHDAD — The U.S. military has confirmed the death of they key
aide to Al Qaida network chief Abu Mussib Al Zarqawi.
Officials said Bilal Mahmud Awad Shebah was killed on Oct. 14 in a
military operation north of Ramadi. Shebah, known as Abu Ubaydah, was called Al Zarqawi's leading lieutenant.
Abu Ubaydah
provided Al Zarqawi with safe houses and screened his messages and visitors, officials said. They said Abu Ubaydah met every week with Al Zarqawi to plan
attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces.
[On Sunday, Iraq reported shelving plans for a major counter-insurgency
offensive, Middle East Newsline reported. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said he received messages from
those claiming to be linked to the Sunni insurgency who requested the launch
of political talks.]
Officials said the U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi authorities required
more than a month to determine Abu Ubaydah's death. They said his death was
confirmed by a close family member.
Over the last few weeks, officials said, Al Qaida operatives captured by
Iraqi and U.S. forces outlined Abu Ubaydah's role. The Al Qaida detainees
said Abu Ubaydah served as an "executive secretary" for Al Zarqawi and
intimidated Iraqis into supporting Sunni insurgency activities.
Officials said that despite rumors over the last few weeks, the
coalition has not obtained any information that indicate that Al Zarqawi was
killed in a U.S. bombing raid. They said U.S. forces nearly captured or
killed Al Zarqawi several times.
On Nov. 26, U.S. and Iraqi forces launched Operation Tigers, the fourth
campaign against Sunni insurgents in the Ramadi area. The operation
consisted of 400 U.S. troops and 150 Iraq Army soldiers.
