"We believe the reign of terror of Chemical Ali has come to an end," Rumsfeld said at a Pentagon news conference.

Addressing himself to Iraqis, Rumsfeld said: "He will never again terrorize you or your families."

Ali, who commanded Iraqi forces in the south from Basra, was targeted Saturday in a coalition air strike on his house.

"The analysis is we got him," said a US defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We thought he was there."

SPACE.WIRE