Al Qaeda in Iraq

Al Qaeda in Iraq is an insurgency group founded by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed in 2006. The group is a successor to al-Zarqawi's earlier insurgency group, Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad, which declared allegiance to Osama Bin Laden in 2004. Al Qaeda in Iraq is reported to have been involved in chlorine bomb attacks, the incitement of sectarian violence, and military operations inside Iraq and neighboring countries.BBC News: Iraqis killed by chlorine bombs (March 17, 2007) Long War Journal: al-Zawraa vs al Qaeda (February 20, 2007)

Although no confirmation by U.S. Military has been made, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi was allegedly captured by Iraqi on April 24, 2009, after two suicide bombing that left more than 70 people dead in Baghdad.Times Online: Iraq Al-Qaeda boss Abu Omar al-Baghdadi 'is captured' (April 24, 2009)

A July, 2005 letter outlined the group's goals as expanding the war in Iraq by expelling United States forces, establishing an Islamic caliphate, spreading the conflict to secular neighbors, and engaging in war with Israel.

1. Alleged leader of the Islamic State
2. Alias: Abu Hamza al-Baghdadi and Abu Omar al-Quraishi al-Baghdadi
3. Thought to have been captured in 2007, but reports false Al Jazeera : Captured Iraqi not al-Baghdadi (March 10, 2007)
4. Abu Ayyub al-Masri allegedly declared allegiance to himGlobal Security: Abu Omar al-Baghdadi
5. After Abu Musab al Zarqawi was killed al-Baghdadi became leaderThe Long War Journal: Al Qaeda leader Abu Omar... (April 27, 2009)
6. Targeted by U.S. and Iraqi policeCBSNews: U.S. Won't Confirm Al Qaeda In Iraq Arrest (April 23, 2009)
7. Allegedly captured after suicide bombings in Baghdad in 2009