Al-Qaeda Claims Credit for Chinook Shoot-down Today

Abu Omar al-Baghdadi's Islamic State of Iraq, Al-Qaeda's newest front organization, has put out a press release (Arabic) claiming credit for shooting down the Chinook helicopter (actually a CH-46 according to the U.S. military) in the Garmah area, north of Fallouja. There's been no word about casualties yet.

Al-Qaeda is promising to release footage of the helicopter shoot-down at a later stage. They are saying that this attack is part of al-Baghdadi's declared 'Dignity' offensive.

Al-Qaeda has also recently claimed credit for shooting down a Black Hawk helicopter near the twon of Buhruz in Diyala Province, and an Appache helicopter in the Taji area north of Baghdad.