Al Qaeda “Prince” reported captured in Mosul

Long War Journal ^ | May 19, 2008 6:24 PM | Bill Roggio

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Iraqi security forces, back by US forces, are pressing the offensive against al Qaeda in Iraq and allied insurgent groups in Mosul and Ninewa province. The operation, which initially was called Lion’s Roar but has morphed into Operation Mother of Two Springs, has netted more than 1,100 al Qaeda and insurgent operatives. Today, the Iraqi Army reported it captured the “Prince of Ninewa” during a raid. The Iraqi is planning an amnesty and may be forming an Awakening in Mosul proper, a source toldThe Long War Journal.

The “Prince of Ninewa” captured?

The Iraqi Ministry of the Interior reported on Monday that it captured Abdul Khaleq al Sabaawi, who is described as the “prince,” or emir, of Ninewa province. A US military source in Mosul confirmed that Sabaawi was in custody but was unable to provide additional details on his role in al Qaeda’s network. Sabaawi was captured along with his son in western Mosul.

The Iraqi military and police have misidentified senior al Qaeda leaders in the past.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Another possible big fish.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From the LSJ sidebar:

*********************************

Al Qaeda

Osama bin Laden will release yet another tape in the next several days, according a banner posted by Al Ekhlass, an al Qaeda-linked web forum. The banner said bin Laden will make a "very strong statement" to the Muslim world. His last audio tape was released on May 16 and addressed the state of Israel.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

LWJ sidebar: ....Sorry

[ExTexasRedhead]

He’s just sending a tape to voice his support for Hussein Obama and Nancy Pelosi.

[Selmore]

They are running out of names for operations.

I suggest the next operation be called.........

“Operation Two Dogs.”

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From the BBC:

Gunmen 'kill 11 Iraqi recruits'

Eleven police recruits have been killed by gunmen in northern Iraq, local officials have said.

The men were leaving the northern town of Baaj, 130km (80 miles) west of the city of Mosul, when the gunmen ambushed their minibus.

They were killed with a bullet to the head, one official said.

Iraqi forces backed by the US have been conducting a crackdown against al-Qaeda militants in Mosul and the surrounding area in recent days.

The men had been returning home from a recruitment camp.

The killings came shortly after officials said they had arrested a man suspected of being al-Qaeda's leader in Mosul.

The suspect, an ex-official in former president Saddam Hussein's army, was detained after fleeing south from Mosul to Tikrit, a defence ministry spokesman said.

The ex-official was named as Abdul Khaliq Sabawi.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From the BBC article

The suspect, an ex-official in former president Saddam Hussein's army,

More connections with Saddam and al Qaeda.....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Guess we have a thread from yesterday on the coming message:

Bin Laden to issue "very strong" message: website

[Tennessean4Bush]

Seen this?

[Marine_Uncle]

"Another possible big fish."
What did they do? Hook him from a boat in the Tigris river or perhaps used a harpoon. Either case. Hopefully he shall squeal his guts out as the interrogator whips out his filleting knife.

[jaz.357]

The “Prince of Ninewa” captured?

I think they meant the "PRINCE of NARNIA"!

[Marine_Uncle]

Interesting entry at Bill's site:
"Al Qaeda has purportedly ordered its fighters to leave Saudi Arabia and move to to Yemen. "Leave the country for Yemen, lest [you] be killed or arrested by Saudi security forces," the statement said on a website."

[Marine_Uncle]

I often throw in Izzat Ibrahim al-douri's name to remind folks the Saddamist are still active and supporting al-Qaeda and any Sunni radical groups who wish to resist the new Iraq government.
I am still waiting for the Syrians to honor the request of Collin Powell so long ago, in turning in all the Saddam elements operating out of Syria. The little Lion and his gang seem to be a bit on the lazy side. sarc off.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Didn't see that...so they are fleeing Saudi Arabia...as well as Iraq.

Sanctuaries are now Yemen and Pakistan....oh and Somalia.

[Marine_Uncle]

UBL strongly suggests they flee to Yemen to save their skins. He sure of lately is getting sentimental. Used to be where he demanded his minions just charge in as cannon fodder.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

Why don’t we take this “prince” and put him in a tough American prison? Then he will become someone’s “queen”.

[jveritas]

It is excellent news and I hope it is true. Mosul is the last refuge of the remaining and defeated Al Qaeda terrorist force in Iraq. Once the battle of Mosul is over Al Qaeda is officially annihilated from Iraq. The terrorist forums are denying the capture of Al Qaeda leader in Mosul which is expected for them to do but they are also very worried that it can be true.

[Kackikat]

Don’t you mean Nancy P. Chavez?

[ExTexasRedhead]

My blood pressure can’t take any more today. Insanity seems to be the rule.