Timeline of al-Zarqawi's rise to militant leader

October 20, 1966: Born Ahmad Fadhil Nazzal al-Khalayleh in Jordan, part of Bani Hassan Bedouin tribe.

1980s: Embraces Islamic militancy, makes first trips to Afghanistan to fight Soviet invasion.

Mid-1990s: Returns to Jordan, is arrested, solidifies radical ideology in prison. Shares cell block with militant cleric Isam Mohammed al-Barqawi, known as Abu Muhammed al-Maqdisi. Adopts extremist strain of Islam that brands enemies as “infidels” worthy of death.

1999: Returns to Afghanistan after prison release. Forms links with al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden.

Late 2001: Flees Afghanistan during US-led ousting of the Taliban. Passes through Iran to Iraq.

October 2002: US diplomat Laurence Foley killed in Jordan, believed to be first terror operation by al-Zarqawi followers.

February 2003: US Secretary of State Colin Powell, in presentation to UN Security Council, cites al-Zarqawi presence in Iraq as proof of link between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida. US counter-terrorism officials later cast doubt on connection.

August 2003: Al-Zarqawi group, called “Monotheism and Jihad”, stages suicide attacks on UN headquarters in Baghdad and Shiite shrine in Najaf, seen by many as start of Iraqi insurgency.

April 2004: Beheads US hostage Nicholas Berg, posts videotape of killing on the internet.

May 18, 2004: Car bomb by al-Zarqawi followers assassinates president of now-disbanded Iraqi Governing Council.

July 2004: US sets $25m (€19.8m) bounty for al-Zarqawi.

September 2004: Beheads US hostage Eugene Armstrong, posts videotape of killing on internet.

October 2004: Vows fealty to bin Laden, changes name of group to “al-Qaida in Iraq”.

February 2005: Suicide bombing against Iraqi security recruits in Hillah kills 125. Claimed by al-Qaida in Iraq, is single deadliest attack of insurgency.

November 9, 2005: Triple suicide bombing against hotels in Amman, Jordan, kills 60, mostly Sunni Muslims. Attack draws criticism from fellow Islamic militants.

January 5, 2006: Al-Zarqawi fighters blamed for string of suicide bombings against Shiites in holy city of Karbala and police station north of Baghdad, killing at least 130. Attacks came weeks after parliament election.

January 2006: Announcement that al-Zarqawi movement joining umbrella organisation of Iraqi insurgents called the Shura Council of Mujahedeen. Seen as attempt to give Iraqi face to al-Qaida in Iraq, believed to be mainly non-Iraqi, Arab fighters.

June 7: Al-Zarqawi and several aides killed in targeted US air strike. Followers vow to continue holy war.