Al-Qaida in Iraq leader wounded

Hopefully he's wounded and in custody as the report doesn't specify.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The leader of al-Qaida in Iraq was wounded and an aide was killed in a clash Thursday with Iraqi forces north of Baghdad, the Interior Ministry spokesman said.

The clash occurred near Balad, a major U.S. base about 50 miles north of the capital, Brig. Gen Abdul-Karim Khalaf said.

Khalaf said al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri was wounded and his aide, identified as Abu Abdullah al-Majemaai, was killed.


Update: From MSNBC Al-Masri reportedly hurt, in custody; aide slain in skirmish north of Baghdad.

As always we need to look at these reports skeptically when they come from the Iraqi govt.

Photo via Rusty.

Update II: NBC has removed the paragraph from its story about al-Masri’s capture. No correction acknowledging their mistake was included. How AP-esque of them.