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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pakistan-masri-20100531,0,4747464.story
Reporting from Washington —
Al Qaeda's third-ranking leader — a close associate and relative by marriage to Osama bin Laden — is believed to have been killed in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region, U.S. officials said.
The death of Sheik Said Masri, an Egyptian who is believed to act as the terrorist network's operational leader, would be the latest blow to Al Qaeda, which has suffered a steady degradation of its leadership and ability to mount attacks since the U.S. stepped up its campaign of missile strikes by unmanned aircraft in Pakistan's tribal region.
"We have strong reason to believe" that Masri is dead, a U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was discussing intelligence information. "He was key to Al Qaeda's command and control. His death would be a major blow."
chipping away at a pretty good clip
Reporting from Washington —
Al Qaeda's third-ranking leader — a close associate and relative by marriage to Osama bin Laden — is believed to have been killed in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region, U.S. officials said.
The death of Sheik Said Masri, an Egyptian who is believed to act as the terrorist network's operational leader, would be the latest blow to Al Qaeda, which has suffered a steady degradation of its leadership and ability to mount attacks since the U.S. stepped up its campaign of missile strikes by unmanned aircraft in Pakistan's tribal region.
"We have strong reason to believe" that Masri is dead, a U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was discussing intelligence information. "He was key to Al Qaeda's command and control. His death would be a major blow."
chipping away at a pretty good clip