Zarqawi Reported "...seriously injured, possibly dead"

Italian news agency AKI is quoting an Iraqi colonel as saying that Zarqawi may have been seriously injured or killed during Operation Matador, the major Coalition offensive targeting foreign fighter smuggling sites, safe houses, and camps on the Syrian border.

Baghdad, 11 May (AKI) - The Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is "serious injured, possibly dead" according to Colonel Fouad Hani Hassan, commander of the fifth division of the Iraqi armed forces, cited by 'Elaph', a popular website in the Arab world. Al-Zarqawi, considered al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq, is believed to have been injured in the major offensive US-led forces have been carrying out in the western Anbar province over the last few days.

Before anyone gets too excited however, it's important to note that the Italian press is notoriously unreliable, having pronounced the Pope dead prior to his actual demise, among other gaffes. However, AKI has reported dispassionately in the past, even helping break the news of the Italian government's ransom payment for the release of hostage Giuliana Sgrena.

AKI also quotes Brigadier General James Conway as saying of al-Zarqawi: "...it would be a welcome event to come across him or his body." Indeed it would.

Via Captain's Quarters.