Terror kingpin given two tickets to paradise by US Forces

Amman , Jordan : Al-Zarqawi masterminds a trifecta of terror against his homeland, a triple suicide bombing against hotels that kills 63 innocent civilians-the bulk of whom are Arab Muslims. The horrific scenes are viewed worldwide, replayed for weeks on television and the Internet.  In Jordan , where al Qaeda had gained a certain level of sympathy for the insurgency, support all but vanishes.  And in the al Qaeda organization, the backlash against al-Zarqawi becomes palpable.

Four months later, according to a close associate to Iraqi militants, al-Zarqawi is confined to a "military role," barred from making political statements or distributing propaganda. It's rumored al Zarqawi has "embarrassed" al Qaeda with his beheading videos, political tirades, and disclosure of al Qaeda activities.  Al Qaeda, by all accounts, is fed up with al-Zarqawi.

When a mid-level al Qaeda operative is caught by Jordanian officials, he reveals the identity and contacts for al-Zarqawi's new "spiritual adviser," Sheik Abdel Rahman.  It's unknown whether he's trying to save al Qaeda or trying to save his own skin, but the informant provides a crucial breakthrough for US forces.  Al-Zarqawi's every move is soon under surveillance by Task Force 77, aerial drones, resident reports, and informers inside al-Zarqawi's inner circle.  Unbeknownst to all but a handful of Special Ops troops, time is running out for al-Zarqawi.

When he arrives for a scheduled meeting with Rahman at a safe house in Hibhib on June 7, Delta Force operators are already embedded in the surrounding date palms.  The recon unit's leader radios his superiors.

Identity is confirmed.  An air strike is requested.  One F16C fighter jet identifies the target and the safe house is lased.  A GBU-12, 500-pound precision bomb is released, striking the structure at 6:12 p.m.  Less than two minutes later, a satellite-guided GBU-38, 500-pound precision bomb screams down like an eagle upon its prey.

His al Qaeda associates dropped a dime.

Now you drop the bomb.

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