US claims killing of Iraq shrine bomber
US authorities claim to have arrested 80 suspected terrorists in recent operations in areas near the Shia shrine
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Sunday, 05, Aug 2007 08:18
US troops in Iraq have announced the killing of the man they suspect of spearheading the attacks on the al-Askari shrine in Samarra.
US authorities says Haitham al-Badri, the suspected mastermind of the bombings, was also the leader of al-Qaida in the province of Salahuddin. They add that he had been killed in an operation on Thursday.
The Shia Muslim shrine has been attacked twice - the first which took place in 2006 led to a sharp increase in sectarian violence between the rival Shia and Sunni sects resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians.
The second in June 2007 destroyed the mosque's ancient minarets and awakened fears of another upturn in violence.
The US recently deployed over 30,000 more troops in Iraq in an effort to maintain order in the strife-torn country. A spokesperson for the multi-national force in Iraq has claimed further successes in the area.
"More than 80 suspected terrorists have been detained in Samarra since Iraqi led clearing operations began July 31st."
The spokesperson added that Iraqi security forces arrested three suspected insurgents in Samarra in a raid against a cell planning roadside bombings in the area.