JEDDAH, 9 June 2006 — Jeddah residents applauded the death of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi and hoped that his killing would mark a positive turning point.
Kazem Ali, an Iraqi resident working in a local restaurant, said the Zarqawi killing has brought joy to the Iraqi people. “Zarqawi was responsible for the killing of many innocent men, women and children,” said Ali. “I hope peace comes to Iraq with his killing. This should also speed up the withdrawal of American forces in Iraq now that the main excuse for staying is dead.”
Saudi Sultan Al-Ghamdi said this was the best news since the arrest of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, considering that the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq was responsible for the deaths of dozens of Iraqis.
“I think Iraqis should celebrate now that the monster is dead,” he said. “The killing of Zarqawi will not end the violence in Iraq, but I do think this has crippled the terrorist group. Zarqawi gave a bad name to the innocent Iraqis fighting the American forces in Iraq. He never hesitates to bomb and kidnap innocent people, killing them in a cruel way. He got what he deserves and I wish he would die again and again for every innocent person he killed.”
Sultan Zahrani, a Saudi student, said: “Zarqawi gave Islam a bad name. He killed children and women in the name of Islam and jihad. Muslims waging jihad are forbidden from terrorizing the innocent and destroying trees, not to mention the killing of dozens of innocent men, women and children.
“Now it’s time for the Iraqis to unite with the government and rebuild Iraq.”
