Abu Musab al-Zarqawi: Leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq Killed at 39

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was a Jordanian militant who led al-Qaeda in Iraq. Born Ahmad Fadil al-Khalayleh on October 30, 1966, in Zarqa, Jordan, he was jailed in Jordan in the 1990s.

After the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, he led a campaign of suicide bombings, kidnappings and beheadings, some of which were recorded and distributed on video. He was blamed for the 2005 Amman hotel bombings and the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad. The U.S. had offered a $25 million reward for his capture.

Zarqawi was killed in a U.S. airstrike on a safe house near Baqubah, Iraq, on June 7, 2006, at age 39. Iraq's government and U.S. officials said his death was a major blow to the insurgency.

Achievements: Leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq (2004-2006), subject of a $25 million U.S. bounty.

Birth: October 30, 1966 - Zarqa, Jordan.

Profession: Militant leader.

Interesting Facts: His death was announced at a joint press conference in Baghdad.