On 29 May US Forces in Rawah came under RPG and automatic rifle fire from insurgents in a farmhouse.[7][3][4] The US forces returned fire, killing 4 of the fighters and wounding 3 others.[3] Mahalawi's body was then found inside the house. The body was found blindfolded and chained to a gas cylinder, and had suffered from a blow to the head.[7][3][4] Mahalawi hadn't been shot,[5] but had instead seemingly been killed by a falling piece of rubble that had fallen on him during the firefight.[5] His body was identified by family members in Qaim on 30 May, and his death announced by Laith Kuba, a Government Spokesperson, on Tuesday 31 May.[4]