Top Saddam aide killed in Tikrit operation: Reports

Rasa - Iraq’s military officials claim they’ve killed Izzat al-Douri, deputy of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and a founder of ISIL Takfiri group in the restive province of Salahuddin in Iraq’s north.

News ID: 2359

Date: 18 April 2015 - 15:34

RNA - Lebanon’s al-Manar quoted Salahuddin Governor Raed al-Jabbouri as saying that the security forces carried out a pre-emptive operation in eastern Tikrit, killing the former Iraqi Vice President to Saddam Hussein, Izzat al-Douri.

The governor did not reveal any further details on the operation and the killing of the former commander of the so-called Army of the Men of the Naqshbandi Order.

Member of Salahuddin Provincial Council's Security Committee Khaled Jessam in an interview with FNA said Baghdad laboratories are conducting DNA tests on al-Douri, once the test results confirm his death international backup for him and his subordinates will come to a halt, making it easier for the Iraqi army and popular forces to destroy terrorist groups such as ISIL.

Douri remained at large following the US-led invasion of Iraq that toppled Saddam in 2003.

In July 2014, a purported audio message from al-Douri was released on a website loyal to Saddam’s ousted Ba’ath Party, calling on all Iraqis to join the ISIL Takfiri militants.

The 15-minute tape by al-Douri described the Takfiris as heroes and praised their deadly offensive against the Iraqi government.

The ISIL started its campaign of terror in Iraq in early June 2014. The heavily-armed militants took control of Mosul before sweeping through parts of the country’s Sunni Arab heartland.

The terrorists have been carrying out horrific acts of violence, including public decapitations, against all Iraqi communities such as Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians.

Iraqi soldiers, police units, Kurdish forces, Shia volunteers and Sunni tribesmen have been engaged in joint operations to drive the terrorists out of areas they have seized.

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