A group led by Jordanian terror suspect Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has claimed responsibility for Saturday's bloodshed in the Iraqi city of Samarra. It was hit by a series of clashes and car bomb explosions, which left almost 40 people dead. A dozen of them were civilians. Al-Qaeda Organization of Holy War in Iraq posted an online statement, saying they carried out four car bombings in Samarra. Al-Zarqawi is believed to be a senior al-Qaeda operative in Iraq. He has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly attacks against coalition forces, as well as for many hostage killings.