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Suicide bombers kill 33 in Baghdad
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-10 21:31
U.S. troops in western Iraq killed two al-Qaida in Iraq leaders during an
operation against a town on the Syrian border, a military statement said
Thursday.
U.S. and Iraqi forces have been carrying out a large operation in the town of
Husaybah, on the Syrian border about 200 miles west of Baghdad. Officials
believe the town has become a major transit point for foreign fighters and
weapons entering Iraq.
In a statement released Thursday morning, U.S. forces said they could confirm
that two alleged regional terrorists were killed during the operation. The were
identified as Asadallah and Abu Zahra.
Asadallah allegedly was "a senior al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist leader and
foreign fighter facilitator" who led several terrorist cells, the statement
said. Abu Zahra was reportedly a close personal friend and assistant to the head
of the al-Qaida in Iraq operation in Husaybah, the military said.
In Baghdad, the government spokesman said Iraq has dedicated $7 million for
compensating families in Husaybah for their damaged houses and cars and $35
million for governmental buildings and infrastructure projects. He said more
than 900 people have been forced from their homes by the fighting.
"The Iraqi government is taking care of these families
directly by supplying them with their needs," said Laith Kubba, spokesman for
Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari. "All the roads are open and the city is safe
now as the Iraqi Red Crescent is working there."
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