Does Zarqawis Death Matter?

Absolutely. He was the self proclaimed leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq. He was acknowledged as such by Osama Bin Ladin and Zawahiri. If instead Al Qaeda had successfully killed our President, or even a top general in Iraq like General Casey it would be a major coup for them and a serious blow to us. So the same is true when we successfully kill their general in the theatre and one of his top lieutenants. Not to mention the 17 other safe houses coalition forces raided successfully today. Just imagine 17 separate Al Qaeda attacks in one day. 17 US soldiers captured in different parts of Iraq on one day.

Make no mistake this is a major blow.

Some are already saying others will rise to take his place. No doubt they will. Until our enemy realizes the fight is hopeless they will continue but for now they are shaken.

More than anything I know this was a major blow to Al Qaeda and a major victory for the Iraqi people, the new Iraqi government, the United States, and coalition forces because of a post my friend at Treasure of Baghdad just put up titled The Thousand-Miles Road Starts with One Step:

The cluster of journalists and cameramen at the convention center is a normal scene every time the country’s lawmakers gather for a parliament session or for an important press conference. I was assigned today to cover the parliament session where we expected the Prime Minister, Maliki, to announce his candidates for the interior and defense ministries along with the State ministry for National Security.

As I was leaning on the black leather coach in the hall talking to another journalist and friend, some journalists ran towards a small TV set which al-Iraqiya correspondents and cameramen use to check the live broadcasting with. I immediately ran after them to see what was the thing that made them run hysterically like this.

“Prime Minister Maliki announced that the Jordanian terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was killed north of Baghdad,” a breaking news bar read. We were all surprised despite the fact that the rumor was already spread among us before we read it.

We held our breath for a second and then a loud “Mabrook” [Congratulations] was said by one of the radio stations reporters. Few minutes later, journalists started congratulating each other. Some danced in the hall, female journalists halulated, and others rushed to call their offices of the braking news. The news of his death made up our day.

a flashback of images of people died in the terrorists attacks came to my mind. Um Bashar, whom we all miss, was among the pictures. She was all dressed in white smiling as if she was telling me. “I can rest now, B. tell Bashar that I am comfortable now.” Then she disappeared but the other images did not.

I remembered my mother’s cries and voice when I called her after a car bomb exploded in front of the school where she used to teach. I recalled the TV images of the burnt children and their parents in the middle of a huge flame.

The image of the collapsed apartment building and the pile of bodies I saw in a restaurant bombed by Zarqawi’s car bombs came among the other images that will never leave me rest even if I die.

Finally, he is dead. I couldn’t believe one day this pig will be killed. Finally, the brutal Zarqawi, whose bloody campaign of beheadings and suicide bombings made him the worst terrorist in the world, was killed. Finally the thousands of families and victims he killed will rest in peace.

I have to say that I haven’t been happy like this for a long time. When I met my other colleagues back in the office, I waved the victory sign, which I also haven’t done since a long time ago.

I know that attacks will increase. I know more people are going to die. I know mistakes are going to be continued. I know everything will not be fixed soon like in the fairy tales. But I am happy that this man is killed. I believe his death is the real first step: the thousand-miles road starts with one step.

My friend who yesterday had no hope for Iraq’s future has found hope again. My friend who was disilusioned with the war and the United States occupation is grateful to the United States again. He still wants us to leave but now he believes we want to leave too. My friend who said all the Iraqi politicians are the same when Al Malaki was named Prime Minister now has faith that his Prime Minister means what he says and means well.

Oh yes Zarqawis death matters. Treasure of Baghdad continues:

Although everybody knows that I am against the U.S. occupation to Iraq, I believe what they did in helping the Iraqis kill Zarqawi was a good real step for a better Iraq after three years of destruction and struggle. It’s only now that I feel the US forces are really serious and want to get rid of the terrorists who came as a reaction to their occupation to the country in a way or another. It’s only now I felt that they really want to accomplish their mission and go back home soon. I really hope that what I am feeling is right. When I saw Maliki in the conference, I wished I could shake his hands to thank him and tell him how I want his government to be strong. I have a feeling that this man is really serious in taking Iraq to the safe side. I really feel that he is doing his best to do a better job than the ones preceded him. Killing Zarqawi is a good omen that Maliki’s government is no longer silent.

It occurred to me that this time, Maliki and the U.S. officials did not let us down when the criminal Zarqawi appeared on TV in his latest video that provoked all Iraqis. They all said his days are numbered and they will get him dead or alive and they did. Thank you all. Afiya [good job]…
Finally, congratulations to all Iraqi people. “Eid and love, all the people are partying,” as Kadhum al-Sahir sings. Let’s dance choby, guys.

My friend is right. We have a thousand miles to go but today we are closer to victory that we have ever been in Iraq.

God bless the men and women in the American Military and our allies who got us this far. God bless the Iraqi people who have given their lives in their thousand mile journey to freedom.God bless and Godspeed to my friend. May he sleep well tonight.