Sepcial Report: Tension accelerates in Iraq

    TIKRIT, Iraq, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces killed the leader of al-Qaida group in Samarra City Friday morning, a local security force told Xinhua.

    "An Iraqi army force stormed an area in northern Samarra and killed Hammad al-Takhi, the leader of the al-Qaida terrorist organization in Samarra City, some 120 km north of Baghdad," the source said on condition of anonymity.

    The force acted according to intelligence received from local residents who accused Takhi of killing their sons, the source said, confirming that many local residents dragged Takhi's body and some of them mutilated it in an area near the al-Risasy River, a branch of Tigris River.

    Takhi and his brother Najim, who is still at large, are accused of killing dozens of innocent people on the main road between Samarra and Dowr, including woman journalist Atwar Bahjat from the Dubai-based al-Arabiya satellite channel, the source said.

    "With the killing of Takhi and capture of Abdul Qadir Makhol, Iraqi security forces have effectively curbed Qaida activities in Salahudin province," the source added.

    Earlier in the day, a local security source announced that the leader of the al-Qaida organization in Salahudin province in northern Iraq was captured on Thursday.

    "An Iraqi security force stormed a village in Dujla area, some 150 km north of Baghdad, and captured Abdul Qadir Makhol, a leader of al-Qaida terrorist organization in the province," the source said.

    Iraqi forces launched the attack at 6:00 p.m. (1400 GMT) and acted according to intelligence received from local residents, the source said.

    Makhol's capture came after Iraqi security forces killed two al-Qaida leaders in the province, including the leader (Ameer) of the Jazeera area and his assistant, three days ago.

    On April 25, the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, made an unprecedented appearance in a video, criticizing the new Iraqi government. He also warned U.S. President George W. Bush of more attacks to come. Enditem