Two al Qaeda Leaders, Dozens More Captured in Iraq
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You can run, but you can't hide Abu Ayyub al-Masri! That's two al Qaeda in Iraq "emirs" captured in two days. This follows closely on the heels of the Islamic State of Iraq's (the al Qaeda umbrella group)* return to a spree of hostage beheadings. Payback: it is indeed a bitch.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces detained 12 suspected terrorists including a suspected Al-Qaeda in Iraq emir during raids Tuesday morning targeting foreign fighter facilitators and the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.
During an operation in Baghdad, Coalition Forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq emir and three of his associates. Based on intelligence reports, these suspects are allegedly involved in the production of improvised explosive devices.
Also in Baghdad, Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists who have alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq and anti-Coalition Forces activities.
Two suspected terrorists were detained during a raid in Mosul.
Intelligence reports indicate the suspected terrorists have ties with an al-Qaeda terrorist who has coordinated attacks against Iraqi security and U.S. military personnel.
On Monday morning, Coalition Forces detained 15 suspected terrorists including a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq emir during raids targeting foreign fighter facilitators and the al-Qaeda in Iraq network. During the operation in Baghdad, Coalition Forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq emir and one of his associates.
But wait, more al Qaeda linked terrorists were captured in the past two days. Many more.
FYI: Bill Roggio says that an "emir" is equivalent to a battalion commander in the U.S. military.
Another suspected terrorist was detained on Tuesday in Fallujah during a raid targeting foreign fighter facilitators.
Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists in Tikrit who are believed to have links with terrorists involved in explosives shipments from other countries and facilitating the production of vehicle-borne IEDs.
In Ramadi, Coalition Forces netted a suspected terrorist who is allegedly involved in courier activities for al-Qaeda terrorists in Iraq.
On Monday three suspected foreign terrorist facilitators were captured in operations northeast of Samarra, and eight more were captured in a foreign fighter safe house west of Mahmudiyah.
In downtown Ramadi, Coalition Forces captured two suspects in a foreign fighter safe house. Intelligence reports indicated members of the cell were allegedly planning suicide operations against Coalition or Iraqi Forces.
"Coalition Forces are making progress dismantling the foreign fighter and al-Qaeda terrorist networks inside Iraq," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "These operations send a message to terrorists that they will be caught and prosecuted for their crimes under the Iraqi justice system."
Source: Compiled from CENTCOM press releases.
Related: Islamic State of Iraq: #1 In Beheading Murders For Allah
*The Islamic State of Iraq is, in fact, a Salafi jihadi umbrella organization of which al Qaeda in Iraq is but one component. I intentionally call them an "al Qaeda umbrella group". Why?
a) It's accurate. There may be differences in command structure between, say, al Qaeda in Iraq and The Army of Ansar al Sunna, but as far as means and goals are concerned, they are the same
b) It really pisses off the head of The Islamic State in Iraq, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, to no end. In fact, a few weeks ago he sent out a press release advising the media not to mix "al Qaeda in Iraq" up with "The Islamic State of Iraq". And isn't the Jawa really about pissing jihadis off?
By Dr. Rusty Shackleford at February 27, 2007 08:49 PM