Death of al-Zarqawi may release ‘100 bin Ladens’
But it leaves intact the threat of attacks from small, independent cells — the “100 bin Ladens” Egypt’s president once said could be spawned by the US-led war on terror.
Once they absorb the psychological blow of his death, al-Zarqawi’s followers and other militants outside Iraq could regroup and continue with their bomb plots and killings.
Even with Osama Bin Laden in hiding, other militants have stepped forward to carry out his calls for terror.
Hundreds of arrests across Europe have thwarted plots but did not stop the attacks on transport systems in Madrid and London.
But for intelligence agencies and troops on the front lines, al-Zarqawi’s killing is a boost.
With his horror videos — including ones that showed the beheading of hostages — the Jordanian-born militant seemed to revel in taunting those hunting him.
His attacks made the war on terror look impotent, an impression the air strike that killed him helped dispel.
“It indicates intelligence services and police are now more capable of infiltrating the terror groups,” Institute of International Affairs president Stefano Silvestri said.
US army spokesman Major General William Caldwell said Egyptian-born Abu al-Masri will probably take over al-Qaida in Iraq.
He said al-Masri trained in Afghanistan and probably came to Iraq in 2002.
US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad acknowledged violence was likely to continue in the country.
“Zarqawi’s death will not in itself end the violence in Iraq. But it is an important step in the right direction.”
But Abdel Bari-Atwan, editor of London-based Arabic daily Al-Quds warned al-Zarqawi’s death could spark renewed insurgency.
“Al-Zarqawi was intending to ignite a sectarian civil war. Now he has gone, the attacks against the security forces could escalate.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
