Main wanted Saudi killed in al-Qaem fighting

The leader of al-Jihad al-Qaida organization in Mesopotamia, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, said on Thursday that Abdullah Muhammad Rashed al-Rashoud, one of the main wanted persons in Saudi Arabia, was killed as he was taking part in the fighting in al-Qaem city near the borders with Syria.

In a statement, al-Zarqawi said "Let us congratulate the nation of Islam of the martyrdom of a banner of Jihad and knowledge, our Sheikh Abdullah al-Rashoud. May the Almighty God accept him among martyrs."

Al-Rashoud, of a Saudi nationality, was among the three Saudi Arabian nationals whose names are still listed on the 26 most-wanted by the Saudi government over suspicion that they are members of al-Qaida organization and implementing attacks in the kingdom. After his killing, only 2 are still fleeing among the 26. They are Saleh al-Oufi and Taleb al-Taleb.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Muhammad al-Rashoud ( 37 year old) was born in al-Madina al-Munawarra and was a graduate of the Sharia faculty in al-Imam university in Riyadh. He was considered one of the young pioneers in al-Takfir movement that is derived from al-Salaferyah.