Posted on 01/28/2005 1:16:47 PM PST by Eurotwit
THE arrests of two top lieutenants of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had put Iraqi security forces closer to capturing the Jordanian militant and eradicating his al-Qaeda-affiliated group, Iraq's deputy prime minister said today.
"I am hopeful, based on the evidence that we see, we are moving closer and closer to decimating and eliminating that threat from our country," Barham Saleh told reporters in Washington via a two-way video link from Baghdad. Earlier, Iraqi authorities announced the capture of Salah Salam Dubaig al-Ubaidi, also known as Abu Saif, who was believed to be Zarqawi's main commander in Baghdad, and Ali Mohamed Yassin Al-Issawi, another close aide who is also known as Abu Hassan.
Advertisement: Mr Saleh said the captures had given Iraqi authorities a much clearer picture of Zarqawi's network, which is believed to be responsible for many of the spectacular car bombings and high-profile assassinations aimed at derailing this weekend's national elections.
Abu Saif, whom Zarqawi recently named "emir" of Baghdad, told interrogators he met Zarqawi at least four times in December, while Abu Hassan claimed to have seen him 40 times over the past three months, Mr Saleh said.
Abu Hassan, said Mr Saleh, "claims to be the gatekeeper for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, like a chief logistical officer, arranging meetings for Zarqawi ... with members of his networks and other people planning and acting on terrorist operations".
"We are getting a better and better picture of the Zarqawi network based on the arrests that we have made over the past few weeks."
Asked how close authorities were to capturing Zarqawi, Mr Saleh said: "I hope close. But we cannot be complacent. We are after him. This is a dangerous man, responsible for the death of so many Iraqis and coalition members, and we are after him. Sooner or later, we will get him."
Mr Saleh said at least a dozen senior Zarqawi associates have been captured over the past two months, and more than 20 other members of his network had been rounded up.
Abu Saif, the Baghdad "emir", identified another recently captured Zarqawi lieutenant, Abu Omar al-Kurdi, as the bombmaker who carried out many of the attacks in Baghdad, including the May 17, 2004 assassination of the acting president of the Iraqi Governing Council, Abdul Zahra Osman Mohammed, known as Ezzedine Salim, according to Mr Saleh.
In announcing Kurdi's arrest earlier this week, the Iraqi government said he was responsible for 32 attacks, including the devastating 2003 bombing of the UN's Baghdad headquarters, which killed 22 people, including the world body's envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Kurdi's real name is Sami Mohammad Said al-Jaf.
I think this transcript goes with what I watched., the reporters were at the Pentagon, the deputy PM was in Baghdad.
Turn on Fox ...
Fox is showing their photos.....this Abu Sayif is one ugly dude.......he has a unibrow......LOL!
I do wonder, though why they would announce this. What good will it do? It might send Zarcawi running, and I for one never believe the "if he's moving he's more catch-able" argument. Certainly not in cases like this.
Here's one analysis of what the current situation that shows some optimism:
http://www.strategypage.com//fyeo/qndguide/default.asp?target=IRAQ.HTM
I hope this is reasonably accurate.
Missed it, watching the Aussie Tennis Open, men's Pro Circuit off to a raucous start, the #3 and #4 seeds will be playing in the Finals. The Russian Safin beat Fedeher last night and Aussie Hewitt just whipped a well rested Reddick... winning the last three sets in a 4 set match!
The Woman's match is all American with Serena Williams against #1 seed Lindsey Davenport.
Reddick will be making a long ride home and he won't need to buy a second seat for his Trophy...( referring to the American Express ad in which he is featured)
Check your pings.
They certainly did.
Just incredible.
I'm watchin' the Bob Hope Classic.
Been at work all day and no computer access.
I was shocked too. CSPAN was the only place to see it, they carried the event live. All the news nets were talking about the non-news events like car chases in LA, celebrity trials, and the like.
They're all ugly. They are allergic to water, soap, and shaving cream. The closest thing to a razor is a 30" rusty beheading sword.
Doesn't the media realize how stupid they sound everytime they print another "We close to getting him", or "He's been captured"? Why don't they shut up till they get him.
I'm sure you ment that to be funny. That's how ridiculous the media is sounding these days.
Why bother keeping him in Iraq, if nabbed? Send him back, under heavy guard, to his native Jordan, which iirc, has already sentenced him to death, for execution of his sentence for crimes committed in that country. Case closed...
the infowarrior
How about some snuff films about THEIR beheadings on CNN?
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