Zarqawi Reaps His Reward

I couldn’t stay up last night to confirm that Zarqawi had received his reward but was pleased to read about it this morning.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the coalition’s most wanted man in Iraq, was killed in an airstrike near Baquba, jubilant U.S. and Iraqi authorities announced Thursday.

Al-Zarqawi’s death gives Iraq a chance to “turn the tide” in the fight against the nation’s insurgency, President Bush said at the White House.

“The ideology of terror has lost one of its most visible and aggressive leaders,” Bush said. “Zarqawi’s death is a severe blow to al Qaeda.”

“Special Operations forces, acting on tips and intelligence from Iraqis, confirmed Zarqawi’s location and delivered justice to the most wanted terrorist in Iraq,” Bush said.

“Zarqawi personally beheaded American hostages and other civilians in Iraq,” Bush said. “Now Zarqawi has met his end and this violent man will never murder again.”

Later, U.S. military officials displayed a picture of al-Zarqawi taken after the attack and showed aircraft video depicting the strike.”

I won’t lie and say that I am unpleased by this news. I hope that Osama Bin Laden joins him soon.