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We’ve been hearing reports that claim Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was in Samarra, where the rumors claim he was killed. One report is from Iraqi News, and another is from Al – Manar News. However, a representative from Maliki’s office is now denying that he was killed. One tweet that’s now making the rounds states that he returned to Baghdad.
#Maliki office denies rumor of attack, says he's returned to Baghdad #Iraq
— Sarah Kopit (@SarahKopit) June 13, 2014
PREVIOUSLY: Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) is not only a great place to stay up to date on news. It’s also a great place to circulate rumors, and we’re seeing many users tweet that Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has died after a military attack on a base. NOTE: These reports are nothing but rumors right now. No official authority has confirmed that Maliki has died.
Tweeting that PM Maliki is dead
Here are just some of the many tweets we have found that suggest Iraq’s prime minister has been killed:
ALERT IRAQ PM MALIKI DEAD AFTER ATTACK ON MILITARY BASE IN SAMARRA UNCONFIRME — FxMacro (@fxmacro) June 13, 2014
IRAQ/ISIS:ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON MALIKI? “@L0gg0l: Crude oil getting bid on rumors on assassination attempt on Iraqi PM Maliki” — BrindusaB (@BrindusaB1) June 13, 2014
PM Maliki just died in an attack, full Iraqi army corrupt and rotten, solution: Help Iran invade and take over Irak #USA @BarackObama
— Reda_Officiel (@Reda_ZeOfficial) June 13, 2014
Financial markets affected by Maliki rumor?
At least one Twitter user is suggesting that the gold and oil markets are moving on this rumor, although oil prices were already rising as tensions in Iraq heated up this week.
Not sure if reports of Maliki’s demise are true, but $USO (oil) and $GDX (gold miners) up on the rumor.
— Brandt (@UrbanAchievr) June 13, 2014