BAGHDAD — Iraqi officials say they believe government forces have killed Saddam Hussein’s former deputy who later allied himself with Islamic State militants — Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri.
Al-Douri was known as the “king of clubs” in the deck of playing cards issued to help U.S. troops identify key members of Saddam’s regime.
Salahuddin province Gov. Raed al-Jabouri says soldiers and allied Shiite militiamen killed al-Douri early Friday in an operation east of the city of Tikrit.
A graphic photo issued by the government purports to be of al-Douri’s corpse.
Senior regional commander, Gen. Haider al-Basri, told Iraqi state TV that al-Douri and nine bodyguards were killed by gunshots while riding in a convoy.
DNA tests are underway to confirm the identity of the body.
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