Al-Qaeda Leader's Killing Positive For Stability

October 2008 | Political Risk Alert

Mosul is the last major urban stronghold of al-Qaeda in Iraq and thus far security forces have not managed to pacify the city. Therefore, the confirmation today (October 15) by the US military that Moroccan national Abu Qaswarah, described as al-Qaeda's number two in Iraq, was killed in a raid in Mosul on October 5 is a welcome development in the battle against destabilising insurgent activity. His death could presage a turnaround in the security situation, though in the short-term the current bout of violence is likely to continue.

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