ISIL claims American suicide bomber attacked Iraqi troops
An American national was the suicide bomber who attacked a group of Iraqi soldiers preparing for an operation to recapture the city of Tikrit on Monday, reports by the Islamic State said, according to Sputnik.
An Islamic State radio bulletin Tuesday said that, "The brother Abu Dawud al-Amriki (may Allah accept him) launched himself with his explosives-laden truck,” reports Agence France Presse. The last part of that pseudonym — “al-Amriki” — means “from America.”
The bulletin provided no more details as to the bomber’s identity however, and if the man’s identity is confirmed, it would be the first time a US citizen has killed himself fighting for the Islamic State. Photos purporting to show Abu Dawud al-Amriki — with only his eyes uncovered by a mask — were posted by pro-Islamic State social media accounts and quickly circulated online.
The attack was near the town of Samarra, in Salaheddin province. Samarra is under government control and has been the base of operations to launch an attack to wrest Tikrit — which lies further north along the Tigris river — back from ISIL forces.