© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Zarqawi Was Alive After Attack, Pentagon Says

Pentagon officials now say Abu Musab al-Zarqawi briefly survived the U.S. air strike that flattened his hideout north of Baghdad Wednesday night. Before two bombs struck the safe house, American commandos were already on the ground, watching Zarqawi's movements. They sent his exact coordinates to warplanes overhead.

Briefing reporters from Baghdad, Maj. Gen. Bill Caldwell said that Iraqi police reached Zarqawi after the attack. When U.S. forces entered the area, they found that Zarqawi was on a makeshift stretcher, and that was moving. But he died soon afterward.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Tom Bowman is a NPR National Desk reporter covering the Pentagon.
With federal funding eliminated, WKAR relies more than ever on community support to sustain essential services that remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan. Your support helps shape what comes next for public media in our region. The best way to support WKAR is by becoming a sustaining member today or by upgrading your current gift. Support WKAR TV Here | Support WKAR Radio Here.