High Level al-Qaida-Linked Insurgent Captured in Iraq

http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-08-voa9.cfm ^

[politicalvanguard.com]

The U.S. military says U.S.-led forces in Iraq have captured a prominent militant linked to al-Qaida ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

A military statement issued Saturday says Abdul Aziz Sa'dun Ahmed Hamduni -- also known as Abu Ahmed -- was detained on December 22. The military says Abu Ahmed was the deputy of Abu Talha, commander of a Zarqawi terrorist group in the northern city of Mosul.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Where do you think Al-Zawahiri is? With OBL?

[skyman]

Maybe if we say pretty please with sugar on top he'll tell us where Zarqawi is.

I would say pretty, pretty please but I think the new torture guildlines restrict you to only saying one "pretty."

Sky

[watchinginawe]

nice time lag. 17 days.

I wonder if this is the guy that pinched Zarqawi and if we actually did arrest him also. That would be a great way to start the year!

[SevenMinusOne]

Where do you think Al-Zawahiri is? With OBL?

I suspect he is with UBL at least in terms of being somewhere within the PAK border region - Now they may not stay at the same location very often but I do suspect both are ekking out their survivals in that region -

Until we allow US SOF to operate independently within that region it is almost impossible to get either one of these guys -

And both of these SOB's need to be put in the ground! - It is damn frustrating that over 3 years after the fact of Sept 11th both of these men are alive and spewing their hate still -

There comes a time where we need to say come hell or high water we are coming in! - To the PAK warlords - They either hand over any HVT's (tip us off to their location) or face the consequences of which they have never seen -

[SevenMinusOne]

And to continue - A quick shot over the bow to get these Warlords attention could easily be placed -

Use the template which we did in Afghanistan after Sept 11th - In apprx. mid Nov (2001) we caught sight of a convoy of Taliban / Al Qeade moving out of Khowst toward the Pak border - A team of SOF commandos dropped in and took down the Convoy -

They then proceeded to plastic strap the 20 some Taliban / Al Qeade and put hoods over their heads. They moved them apprx 100 yards from their convoy (which included fuel) and then set explosives to blow it up - We set off a huge explosion destroying their vehicles and equipment -

At that time, two of the men were cut loose of their plastic straps and simply told "spread the word, we are here!" -

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Agreed. And Pakistan has recently scaled back their operations in that region. The plan had been for US forces in Afghanistan to block escape westward and for Pakistani forces to drive north and west in a "hammer and anvil operation.

Methinks Musharraf never had much incentive to press the attack -- in a practically lawless, remote section of the country -- that would merely incite the radical islamists against him and his government. He did take some action to appease the USA (and for which he undoubtedly received compensation as well).

Without acquiescing to US covert operations, OBL and the rest of his entourage probably will escape their just fate (death).

[SevenMinusOne]

Musharraf for the most part has been a sound ally for us (America) - He has done a fair job while being in somewhat of an impossible situation - He has certainly in many ways rose to the occasion at least in recognizing the need for the WOT -

As for getting UBL and Al Zawahiri - If our shooters are allowed to operate independently .....we will get'em!! - But operating in that area to begin with is brutal - The terrain alone makes operations extremely difficult - Transport, logistics and supply operations become almost impossible -

Call me an optimist but I think we'll get both this year! - I really believe Rumsfeld is going to get his way (one way or another) and our shooters are going to start hunting in the Pak border region -

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

---

January 8, 2005
Release Number: 05-01-40

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THREE OF FOUR KEY TALHA LEADERS CAPTURED IN MOSUL

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Multi-National Forces detained a key leader of the al Qaida linked Abu Musab al-Zarqawi terrorist network in Mosul on Dec. 22.

Following a thorough investigation, the individual detained was positively identified as Abdul Aziz Sa’dun Ahmed Hamduni, aka Abu Ahmed.

Abu Ahmed served as a deputy to the emir of Mosul, Abu Talha, and assumed command of terrorist operations in Mosul in Abu Talha’s absence. Abu Ahmed admitted to receiving money and weapons from Abu Talha as well as coordinating and conducting terrorist attacks in Mosul.

“The capture of Abu Ahmed, and the subsequent capture of Abu Marwan on 23 December, show significant progress in the inevitable destruction of the Abu Talha-led Al-Queda-Zarqawi terrorist network in Mosul,” said Brig. Gen. Erwin F. Lessel III, spokesman for Multi-National Forces-Iraq.

Security forces in Iraq have previously announced the capture of Abu Marwan, also a senior-level terrorist in the Talha organization. Security forces also recently captured another senior Talha member whose name cannot be released due to operational security reasons.

“Currently, security forces in Iraq have three of Abu Talha’s four most senior leaders in custody,” Lessel said.

The capture of these key members has led to additional captures throughout the Mosul-based AQ-AMZ network. More than 20 percent of Talha’s key members have been captured in the past few weeks.

Abu Ahmed’s capture removed one of Abu Talha’s most valuable officers from the Mosul-based AQ-AMZ terrorist network. Abu Ahmed remains in detention and is providing information regarding the Talha network.

“These terrorists and Saddamists are doing all they can to stop upcoming elections,” Lessel said. “They fear democracy and the day when the Iraqi people vote for a representative government. The vote by the Iraqi people will reject everything the terrorists stand for -- killing innocents, depriving people of food, electricity.”

The use of car bombs and other explosive devices by Abu Ahmed and his affiliates shows disregard for the well-being and security of innocent Iraqi civilians. The Central Criminal Court of Iraq is committed to providing a fair trial to those allegedly engaging in terrorist activities. Those found guilty will be punished accordingly, and thus lose the ability to provide for the future of their families.

The IIG and Multi-National Forces are committed to bringing peace and stability to Iraq and its people. Iraq’s government and security forces grow stronger and more capable every day.

-30-

[TADSLOS]

Looks like al-Zarqawi has more lieutenants than Fort Benning on a bright and early June morning.

[Tom Bombadil]

was detained on December 22.

I hope that they have been "debriefing" him in Jordan for the past two weeks.

[Dahoser]

They then proceeded to plastic strap the 20 some Taliban / Al Qeade and put hoods over their heads.

Lucky for the SOF guys it wasn't panties. </sarc>

[southland]

ping

[ASA Vet]

MI Ping

Cc: OB files

[Imal]

"Abu Ahmed remains in detention and is providing information regarding the Talha network."

Guess who doesn't want to be released from U.S. custody, ever?

[KMC1]

Wait, Al-Qaeda doesn't even know where Iraq is...didn't everyone get the memo?

[101st-Eagle]

Generalissimo Francisco Franco?

[Tfran]

I hope we treat him real nice so our soldiers don't get in trouble...

[stockpirate]

I think the time lag is great. Give smore time to get info from him and they don't know what happened to him so the terrorists may not try to change things. There have been a lot of captures in that time frame.

[Redbob]

"Iran to hide UBL makes no sense for them - All it would assure is an immediate U.S. Military response (with the FULL backing of the American public) - This is the last thing Iran wants or needs - "

You make the common mistake of assuming rational thought and behavior by the mullahs.