Zarqawi's Rise To Power
A timeline of events in Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's life culminating in his role as leader of al Qaeda in Iraq.
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Born Ahmad Fadhil Nazzal al-Khalayleh in Jordan, part of the Bani Hassan Bedouin tribe.
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Embraces Islamic militancy, makes first trips to Afghanistan to fight Soviet invasion.
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Returns to Jordan, is arrested, solidifies radical ideology in prison. Shares cell block with militant cleric Isam Mohammed al-Barqawi, known as Abu Muhammed al-Maqdisi. Adopts extremist strain of Islam that brands enemies as "infidels" worthy of death.
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Returns to Afghanistan after prison release. Forms links with al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
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Flees Afghanistan during U.S.-led ouster of Taliban. Passes through Iran to Iraq.
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U.S. diplomat Laurence Foley slain in Jordan, believed to be first terror operation by al-Zarqawi followers.
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U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, in presentation to U.N. Security Council, cites al-Zarqawi presence in Iraq as proof of link between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda. U.S. counterterrorism officials later cast doubt on connection.
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Al-Zarqawi group, called "Monotheism and Jihad," stages suicide attacks on U.N. headquarters in Baghdad and Shiite shrine in Najaf, seen by many as start of Iraqi insurgency.
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Beheads U.S. hostage Nicholas Berg, posts videotape of killing on Internet.
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Car bomb by al-Zarqawi followers assassinates president of now-disbanded Iraqi Governing Council.
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United States sets $25 million bounty for al-Zarqawi.
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Beheads U.S. hostage Eugene Armstrong, posts videotape of killing on Internet.
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Vows fealty to bin Laden, changes name of group to "al Qaeda in Iraq."
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Suicide bombing against Iraqi security recruits in Hillah kills 125. Claimed by al Qaeda in Iraq, it is single deadliest attack of insurgency.
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Triple suicide bombing against hotels in Amman, Jordan, kills 60, mostly Sunni Muslims. Attack draws criticism from fellow Islamic militants.
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Al-Zarqawi fighters blamed for string of suicide bombings against Shiites in holy city of Karbala and police station north of Baghdad, killing at least 130. Attacks came weeks after parliament election.
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Announcement that al-Zarqawi movement is joining umbrella organization of Iraqi insurgents called the Shura Council of Mujahedeen. Seen as an attempt to give Iraqi face to al Qaeda in Iraq, believed to be mainly non-Iraqi, Arab fighters.
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Al-Zarqawi and several aides killed in targeted U.S. air strike. Followers vow to continue holy war.
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Credits:
CBS/AP
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