Iraqi forces arrest leader of Ansar al Islam

The Long War Journal ^ | 5-4-10 | Bill Roggio

[SevenMinusOne]

Iraqi security forces backed by US advisers have captured the head of the al Qaeda-linked Ansar al Islam.

Abu Abdullah al Shafi, the leader of Ansar al Islam, or Partisans of Islam, was detained along with seven "criminal associates" during raids in the Baghdad neighborhoods of Mansour and Adhamiyah on May 3, US Forces Iraq reported in a press release.

[SevenMinusOne]

Big capture here - This SOB and his group are responsible for dozens and dozens of lost U.S. warriors lives. Including the killing of an entire Marine Sniper Team.

He is also who harbored Zarqawi early on before OIF and gave him direct and logistic support once OIF started.

[jveritas]

The capture of the terrorist leader of Ansar Al Islam is the most excellent news.

[amom]

Excellent news!

[Thrownatbirth]

Ansar al Islam has been around for a long time. They ran the al Qaeda training camp in northern Iraq long before the 2003 US invasion. I think Saddam wanted them there to keep the Kurds in line.