BAGHDAD, July 18, 2007

U.S.: Key Al Qaeda In Iraq Figure Caught

Military Claims Man Known As Abu Shahid Is Most Senior Iraqi Within Insurgent Group

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  • Khaled Abdul-Fattah Dawoud Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, also known as Abu Shahid, was captured in Mosul on July 4, according to a U.S. military spokesman. Photo

    Khaled Abdul-Fattah Dawoud Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, also known as Abu Shahid, was captured in Mosul on July 4, according to a U.S. military spokesman.  (Getty Images/Ali Al-Saadi)

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(CBS/AP)  The U.S. command said Wednesday the highest-ranking Iraqi in the leadership of al Qaeda in Iraq has been arrested, adding that information from him indicates the group's foreign-based leadership wields considerable influence over the Iraqi chapter.

Khaled Abdul-Fattah Dawoud Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, also known as Abu Shahid, was captured in Mosul on July 4, said Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner, a military spokesman.

"Al-Mashhadani is believed to be the most senior Iraqi in the al Qaeda in Iraq network," Bergner said. He said al-Mashhadani was a close associate of Abu Ayub al-Masri, the Egyptian-born head of al Qaeda in Iraq.

Bergner said al-Mashhadani served as an intermediary between al-Masri and Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahiri.

"In fact, communication between the senior al Qaeda leadership and al-Masri frequently went through al-Mashhadani," Bergner said. He added: "There is a clear connection between al Qaeda in Iraq and al Qaeda senior leadership outside Iraq."

The degree of control and supervision between bin Laden's inner circle and the Iraq branch has been the subject of debate, with some private analysts believing the foreign-based leadership plays a minor role in day to day operations.

Some have suggested that linking al Qaeda in Iraq to bin Laden is simply an attempt to justify the Iraq war as an extension of the global conflict that began with the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

But the U.S. military has insisted that there are links between the local al Qaeda group and the bin Laden clique and has released captured letters from time to time, suggesting the foreign-based leaders provide at least broad direction.

Pointing to the foreign influence in al Qaeda also undermines support for the organization among nationalistically minded Iraqis, including some in insurgent groups that have broken with al Qaeda.

Bergner said that al-Mashhadani and al-Masri "co-founded a virtual organization in cyberspace called the Islamic State of Iraq in 2006."

"The Islamic State of Iraq is the latest efforts by al Qaeda to market itself and its goal of imposing a Taliban-like state on the Iraqi people," Bergner said.

In Web postings, the Islamic State of Iraq has identified its leader as Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, with al-Masri as minister of war. There are no known photos of al-Baghdadi.

Bergner said al-Mashhadani had told interrogators that al-Baghdadi is a "fictional role" created by al-Masri and that an actor is used for audio recordings of speeches posted on the Web.

"In his words, the Islamic State of Iraq is a front organization that masks the foreign influence and leadership within al Qaeda in Iraq in an attempt to put an Iraqi face on the leadership of al Qaeda in Iraq," Bergner said.

For several months some Arabic language Web sites had identified al-Baghdadi as "Khaled al-Mashhadani" or "Abu Zayd al-Mashhadani."

Bergner said al-Mashhadani had told interrogators that al Qaeda leaders outside the country "continue to provide directions, they continue to provide a focus for operations, they continue to flow foreign fighters into Iraq."

He said al-Mashhadani was a leader of the militant Ansar al-Sunnah group before joining al Qaeda in Iraq 2½ years ago. Al-Mashhadani served as the al Qaeda media chief for Baghdad and then was appointed the media chief for the whole country.

Al Qaeda in Iraq was proclaimed in 2004 by Jordanian-born Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who led a group called Tawhid and Jihad, responsible for the beheading of several foreign hostages, whose final moments were captured on videotapes provided to Arab television stations.

Al-Zarqawi posted Web statements declaring his allegiance to bin Laden and began using the name of al Qaeda in Iraq. Al-Zarqawi was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Diyala province in June 2006 and was replaced by al-Masri.

In other developments:

  • Senate Republicans mustered enough votes to scuttle a proposed U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq Wednesday, defeating legislation ordering U.S. troops home from Iraq and forcing Democrats back to the drawing board in their bid to end the war. The 52-47 vote fell short of the 60 votes needed to cut off debate under Senate rules.

  • Iran's foreign minister said Wednesday that his government had accepted a U.S. request for ambassador-level talks on Iraq, to be held "in the near future." Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told state television that Iran had agreed to a U.S. request for a second round of talks, to be held in Iraq at an unspecified date.

  • Al Qaeda will likely leverage its contacts and capabilities in Iraq to mount an attack on U.S. soil, according to a new National Intelligence Estimate on threats to the American homeland released Tuesday. The report laid out a range of dangers — from al Qaeda to Lebanese Hezbollah to non-Muslim radical groups — that pose a "persistent and evolving threat" to the country over the next three years.

  • Shiite legislators loyal to anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr decided to end their five-week boycott of parliament, one of their leaders said. The Shiite protest along with a separate Sunni boycott had blocked work on key benchmark legislation demanded by the U.S.

  • Police said nearly 30 members of a Shiite tribe were massacred overnight Tuesday in Diyala province when dozens of suspected Sunni gunmen raided their village near Muqdadiyah, about 60 miles northeast of Baghdad. The dead included four women, al-Omairi said.

  • A suicide driver detonated his vehicle Tuesday near an Iraqi army patrol in Zayouna, a mostly Shiite area of eastern Baghdad, killing 10 people, including six civilians, police said. Police said 11 people, including seven civilians, were wounded.

    © MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

    Video and Galleries from Iraq After Saddam

    Add a Comment See all 167 Comments
    by zootallures2 July 18, 2007 8:42 AM PDT
    Yea, but if you wanna get their leader, his name is Michael "Poppies" Hayden.
    Reply to this comment
    by neoconrcrazy July 18, 2007 8:45 AM PDT
    another "key" figure.....again "the connection with al-qaeda outside iraq" -

    tell us something new for a change - something WE DONT ALREADY KNOW-

    better, why not try to capture OBL himself ?

    wasn't that what all this was about in the first place, before it morphed into a "global war" on terror?????


    Reply to this comment
    by neoconrcrazy July 18, 2007 8:49 AM PDT
    National Intelligence Estimate : a "persistent and evolving threat" to the country over the next three years. "


    i guess we could assume that - now that we've invaded a muslim country, destroyed it, killed a million of its inhabitants, exiled another 2 million -

    i kinda expect they are not going to forget -

    although many here would like to.

    the biggest blinder in the history of the country presented to you by bushit and his merry neocon henchmen.



    Reply to this comment
    by opinionrules July 18, 2007 8:51 AM PDT
    One terrorist at a time!
    Reply to this comment
    by terrapin78 July 18, 2007 9:00 AM PDT
    Michael Ware, of CNN, says Al Qaeda in Iraq accounts for 3%, yes three percent, of the attacks and insurgents.

    So, IMO, Al Qaeda in Iraq is overstated, as usual, by Bu$h and Repus.
    Reply to this comment
    by mbcsmith July 18, 2007 9:10 AM PDT
    Great job U.S. military. Keep up the good fight. We support and are behind you, except for the LIBS.
    Reply to this comment
    by radiob-2009 July 18, 2007 9:19 AM PDT
    Not a very clever ploy, CNN is reporting that Mahmoud al-Mashhadani was captured 7-4-07 and is talking freely to interrogators. 14 days and the person allegedly in contact with OBL in Iraq and yet no progress is being made in apphrending or thwarting Al Quedas leadership in Aghanistan or Pakistan.Know a ruse when one sees a ruse and if I can see it so can AL Queda. Last year if anyone has a memory al-Baghdadi was supposedly captured. A fictional character is captured, thats good.Our intel strategist are sleeping on the job coming up with this. If you want to flush the organization hierarchy out this is not the way to do it.
    Reply to this comment
    by ioweign July 18, 2007 9:22 AM PDT
    Great job U.S. military. Keep up the good fight. We support and are behind you, except for the LIBS.
    Posted by mbcsmith at 09:10 AM : Jul 18, 2007

    Well, aren't you a mouth piece.
    Reply to this comment
    by mudrose-2009 July 18, 2007 9:24 AM PDT
    Michael Ware, of CNN, says Al Qaeda in Iraq accounts for 3%, yes three percent, of the attacks and insurgents.

    So, IMO, Al Qaeda in Iraq is overstated, as usual, by Bu$h and Repus.
    Posted by Terrapin78

    Which would mean that Bush hasn't made Al-Qaeda stronger and they aren't spreading. Right? To coin President Harry, you can't have it both ways.
    Reply to this comment
    by radiob-2009 July 18, 2007 9:27 AM PDT
    I have my year off on Al-Baghdadi it was this year that this claim was made. From CNN and Wikipedia.
    March 9, 2007

    BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, leader of the militant group Islamic State of Iraq, was arrested Friday in western Baghdad, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said.

    Al-Baghdadi was reported captured by United States and Iraqi forces in a raid in Abu Ghraib, on the western outskirts of Baghdad, on March 9, 2007.[5] Officials denied that the person captured was Al-Baghdadi on March 10, but said that the person was "a senior al-Qaida leader".

    How long before the denial of this capture being a high value Al Qaida? End of day or tommorrow?
    Reply to this comment
    by godseyesore-2009 July 18, 2007 9:34 AM PDT
    Ok, Bergner, then why the hell doesn't military get the "senior leadership outside Iraq"?
    Because of Bush, Cheney, and the other monkey heads that abandoned the BinLaden quest to invade a country that was not threatening US. Now, actions of this bobblehead and his nazi cohorts have killed more americans than died in the WTC towers...all in name of patriotism.
    Yeah, republicans, bush is a great president deserving historical accolades and your continued blind obedience.
    Fools.
    Reply to this comment
    by radiob-2009 July 18, 2007 9:34 AM PDT
    All this report proves is how little is known to this date about the hierarchy of Al Queda in Iraq and any possible connections to Bin Laden.
    This is so apparent of being a ploy as Al-Baghdadi arrest was that the military, CIA strategist are failing miserably on counter intelligence.

    To our military strategist and CIA try harder use your brains for something besides sitting on.
    Reply to this comment
    by sasi1-2009 July 18, 2007 9:36 AM PDT
    Hmmmm, this was the clone, right? Has to be since he's already been captured before. Our government gets dumber daily.
    Reply to this comment
    by condumism July 18, 2007 9:56 AM PDT
    Fascist White House press release: "key al Qaeda member (number 16!) caught in Iraq!" You directionless, fascist cons afraid enough to go out and vote in November, 2008? I'll bet you're cowering in your house right now as we speak, same as you did for at least one full week after 9/11. I'll also wager that your kids are too embarrassed to admit to their friends at school that they have cowardly cons for parents.

    Repuglicons: the PARTY of the American COWARD!
    Reply to this comment
    by clestes-2009 July 18, 2007 9:58 AM PDT
    mbcsmith, OpinionRules and all others who think this is a good thing.

    Consider this fact.

    There was NO presence of Al-Quida in Iraq before Bush invaded. I will repeat it again. NO AL-QUIDA IN IRAQ BEFORE THE INVASION.

    So how can the the presence of Al-Quida in Iraq now be considered a good thing?

    And think about this. Al-Quida is GAINING, yes, GAINING members far faster than we can kill them. They are multiplying like flies on the dead in the middle of Baghdad heat.

    Our continued presence in Iraq is doing nothing more than creating more and more terrorists. Al-Quida is now in Afganistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, where they had NO OR LITTLE presence before.

    Think about this. The US military has been in Iraq for 4 1/2 years. They STILL have not brought the country under control.

    It is PAST TIME to consider another alternative. Bumbling around in Iraq IS NOT ACCOMPLISHING ANYTHING.
    Reply to this comment
    by prinzowhales July 18, 2007 10:01 AM PDT
    If you will remember, we killed al-Zawahiri several times before it finally took.

    The responsibilities of this new fellow, Abu Shahib, seems unlikely in the extreme. How was he in contact with Osama--a figure reported killed in the Asian and Middle Eastern press years ago...Ouija Board? Was he captured with the Board?...a transmitter?...a cell phone?...an aide?...a body guard?...a weapon?...an automobile?...or was he sitting under a Banyon Tree contemplating more al Qaeda mischief?

    Its unlikely that he has a direct line to OBL and his putative al Qaeda hierarchy as it is that Rev Moon is Jesus Christ with a direct line to God (rather than Langley)and 'come to save us all...save us all.
    Reply to this comment
    by rushlimpdrug July 18, 2007 10:08 AM PDT
    So, is this guy the number 2, or number 3?
    I'm confused.
    I thought they caught several no. 2s already.
    It would be so much easier if they made a new deck of cards.
    gotta go make number 2.
    Reply to this comment
    by radiob-2009 July 18, 2007 10:16 AM PDT
    BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, leader of the militant group Islamic State of Iraq, was arrested Friday in western Baghdad, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said.

    Al-Baghdadi was reported captured by United States and Iraqi forces in a raid in Abu Ghraib, on the western outskirts of Baghdad, on March 9, 2007.[5] Officials denied that the person captured was Al-Baghdadi on March 10, but said that the person was "a senior al-Qaida leader".

    Not a very clever ploy, CNN is reporting that Mahmoud al-Mashhadani was captured 7-4-07 and is talking freely to interrogators. 14 days and the person allegedly in contact with OBL in Iraq and yet no progress is being made in apphrending or thwarting Al Quedas leadership in Aghanistan or Pakistan.Know a ruse when one sees a ruse and if I can see it so can AL Queda. Earlier this year if anyone has a memory al-Baghdadi was supposedly captured. A fictional character is captured, thats good.Our intel strategist are sleeping on the job coming up with this. If you want to flush the organization hierarchy out this is not the way to do it.

    I do not believe in conspiracy theories this is simply a ploy nothing more.
    Reply to this comment
    by mbcsmith July 18, 2007 10:17 AM PDT
    It is PAST TIME to consider another alternative. Bumbling around in Iraq IS NOT ACCOMPLISHING ANYTHING.

    Posted by clestes at 09:58 AM : Jul 18, 2007

    Looks to me like we are fighting the same terrorist organization that attacked us on 9/11/01, regardless of how they got there. The U.S. military is making progress on the ground in this WAR!
    You must understand that the LIBS have staked everything on the FAILURE of the U.S. military. Any success is BAD NEWS for the LIBS. That is why it is such a sad day when LIB members of Congress declare DEFEAT.
    Reply to this comment
    by July 18, 2007 10:19 AM PDT
    mudrose wrote:

    "Which would mean that Bush hasn't made Al-Qaeda stronger and they aren't spreading. Right? To coin President Harry, you can't have it both ways."

    Like most neocons, you appear to only be able to see a small part of the picture.

    Do you *really* believe that Bin Laden would concentrate al-Qaeda in Iraq, rather then in places like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to name a few?

    Do you *really* believe that it's only al-Qaeda fighting against US forces in Iraq?

    GW Bush claimed that Iran and Syria are helping the Shiites, and has claimed that al-Qaeda is helping the Sunnis.

    Except we *know* that Sunnis are fighting against al-Qaeda in Iraq.

    To coin you, "you can't have it both ways".

    Fact is, al-Qaeda in Iraq is relatively small, especially in comparison to al-Qaeda outside of Iraq, which has been able to rebuild itself thanks to moronic decisions by GW Bush.

    Attacks against US troops aren't just the work of al-Qaeda in Iraq, but Sunnis, Shiites, and apparently (if you believe the Bush admin), Iran and Syria.

    There are more Sunni and Shiite insurgents fighting US troops then al-Qaeda forces fighting US troops.

    And US Army news highlights this.
    Reply to this comment
    by radiob-2009 July 18, 2007 10:20 AM PDT
    Any success is BAD NEWS for the LIBS. That is why it is such a sad day when LIB members of Congress declare DEFEAT.

    Posted by mbcsmith at


    Where is the success here? Do you honestly believe this? They have held him for 14 days and he is talking freely. So how come no captures or kills of OBL or other high ranking Al Queda? Because this is a ploy to flush out AL Queda and a poor ploy at that.
    Reply to this comment
    by olebd July 18, 2007 10:27 AM PDT
    Another top leader captured? What does this make? Number 200? How many leaders do they have? Sounds like they may have "too many hands in the kitchen"
    Reply to this comment
    by clestes-2009 July 18, 2007 10:28 AM PDT
    mbcsmith

    The LIBS as you call them, are not staking anything. This is not a poker game. The American people are calling for a change of tactics. After 4-1/2 years of military effort, the number of US dead and wounded are unacceptable. The VA hospitals cannot handle the case load.

    The Bush admin NEVER EXPECTED TO BE IN IRAQ THIS LONG. They were completely unprepared for the price tag in money, equipment and men that we are paying. It has become obvious that we cannot continue to pay this price.

    Other alternatives must be considered.
    Reply to this comment
    by starleo146 July 18, 2007 10:39 AM PDT
    I tell you Radiob what the heck are they trying to do and what the heck is the MEDIA doing they report this stuff and if we can spot the lies why is the Media not double checking there reporters? I honestly feel this media as we have today have forgotten what it is to be journalist. I know we have a few that will speak up but as a whole they forgot how to be a journalist as I said. We are the ones that lose because after stories they spill out like this tells just what we got don't you think?
    Reply to this comment
    by ioweign July 18, 2007 10:44 AM PDT
    mbcsmith, OpinionRules and all others who think this is a good thing.

    Consider this fact.

    There was NO presence of Al-Quida in Iraq before Bush invaded. I will repeat it again. NO AL-QUIDA IN IRAQ BEFORE THE INVASION.

    So how can the the presence of Al-Quida in Iraq now be considered a good thing?

    And think about this. Al-Quida is GAINING, yes, GAINING members far faster than we can kill them. They are multiplying like flies on the dead in the middle of Baghdad heat.

    Our continued presence in Iraq is doing nothing more than creating more and more terrorists. Al-Quida is now in Afganistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, where they had NO OR LITTLE presence before.

    Think about this. The US military has been in Iraq for 4 1/2 years. They STILL have not brought the country under control.

    It is PAST TIME to consider another alternative. Bumbling around in Iraq IS NOT ACCOMPLISHING ANYTHING.

    Posted by clestes at 09:58 AM : Jul 18, 2007

    Iraq is the al Qaeda West Point...
    Reply to this comment
    by perception5 July 18, 2007 10:44 AM PDT
    "The degree of control and supervision between bin Laden's inner circle and the Iraq branch has been the subject of debate, with some private analysts believing the foreign-based leadership plays a minor role in day to day operations.

    Some have suggested that linking al Qaeda in Iraq to bin Laden is simply an attempt to justify the Iraq war as an extension of the global conflict that began with the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks."

    Yeah........the "some of suggested" are the Do Nothing Democrats in Congress and the other "some" our their pals in America's corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack press.............. who have for four years now worked "very hard" at undermining our President and this country's war effort against "global terrorism".

    Democrats and corrupt liberal wolfpack who's side are you on????????

    Dozens of countries around the world are targets of al qaeda and we must ALL work hard to defeat them.
    Reply to this comment
    by ioweign July 18, 2007 11:00 AM PDT
    The sad part of all this is not only the loss of our soldiers but the way the liberals want us to lose the war. They don't really care about what's going on. They just want it to be political.Get the republicans out at all costs and put the do nothing , know nothin Dems in there. If they cared they would have done something by now. They got there foot in the door and now don't have a clue. No resolution no realy viable ideas. We're screwed.
    Posted by guyfrompa45 at 10:50 AM : Jul 18, 2007

    Hey Bubba - better check Bush's voting record when it comes to the military and veterans. You (we)were already screwed when the shrub invaded Iraq. Should have focused on Afghanistan. Now look at that area!

    March 3, 1999
    President George H.W. Bush
    In explaining to Gulf War veterans why he chose not to pursue the war further, President Bush said, "Whose life would be on my hands as the commander-in-chief because I, unilaterally, went beyond the international law, went beyond the stated mission, and said we're going to show our macho? We're going into Baghdad. We're going to be an occupying power %u2014 America in an Arab land %u2014 with no allies at our side. It would have been disastrous."
    Reply to this comment
    by mcvet July 18, 2007 11:01 AM PDT
    The sad part of all this is not only the loss of our soldiers but the way the liberals want us to lose the war. They don't really care about what's going on. They just want it to be political.Get the republicans out at all costs and put the do nothing , know nothin Dems in there. If they cared they would have done something by now. They got there foot in the door and now don't have a clue. No resolution no realy viable ideas. We're screwed.
    Posted by guyfrompa45 at 10:50 AM : Jul 18, 2007
    + report abuse

    God but you fascist are so stupid. Now Al Qaeda WASN'T in Iraq before the FOOL you call a Fuhrer INVADED based on LIES. Al Qaeda was and still is in IRAQ where they have rebuilt, using the fight in Iraq to recruit and train. Now what in the blue blazes do "Liberals" have to do with this INCOMPETENCE? IF you losers had listened to "Liberal's" we'd never have left the pursuit of Al Qaeda until they were either dead or brought to justice in Afganistan. IF you losers had listened to "Liberal's" we'd have given those Inspectors the time they wanted and would have found there was NO reason to invade Iraq saving nearly 4,000 dead and way of 20,000 wounded American's. God how stupid are you fools? No wonder you can't take the worlds most powerful Military and control a nation the size of OHIO!! ROFLMAO Sieg Heil Bush!!
    Reply to this comment
    by clestes-2009 July 18, 2007 11:03 AM PDT
    guyfrompa45,

    This is not a WWII war with defeating Germany a clear victory.

    This is a whole new kind of war. It can not be won with soldiers marching around shooting people.

    That is clearly what Bush thought it was when he invaded more than 4 years ago. After 4-1/2 years of fighting tradionally, it has become apparent to the American people that other alternatives must be considered.

    Why do you suppose the rep lost every single seat last Nov? Time for another strategy.
    Reply to this comment
    by mcvet July 18, 2007 11:05 AM PDT
    Yeah........the "some of suggested" are the Do Nothing Democrats in Congress and the other "some" our their pals in America's corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack press.............. who have for four years now worked "very hard" at undermining our President and this country's war effort against "global terrorism".

    Democrats and corrupt liberal wolfpack who's side are you on????????

    Dozens of countries around the world are targets of al qaeda and we must ALL work hard to defeat them.

    Posted by perception5 at 10:44 AM : Jul 18, 2007

    LOL You poor fascist!! You don't have a clue how to defeat these people and neither does the IDIOT you call a President. The FACTs are there for all to see. Iraq has FED the resurgence of Al Qaeda and of course they are in Iraq. What better way to train them and what better chance will they have to kill American's. Listening to these failures, these people who know only how to bully and make enemies is NOT the way to win this thing folks. They are and always have been LOSERs all the way back to the days when they supported the King of England. Sieg Heil Bush.
    Reply to this comment
    by usadvisor101 July 18, 2007 11:07 AM PDT
    Looks to me like we are fighting the same terrorist organization that attacked us on 9/11/01, regardless of how they got there. The U.S. military is making progress on the ground in this WAR!
    You must understand that the LIBS have staked everything on the FAILURE of the U.S. military. Any success is BAD NEWS for the LIBS. That is why it is such a sad day when LIB members of Congress declare DEFEAT.

    Posted by mbcsmith at 10:17 AM : Jul 18, 2007

    Its nice to see one of the chicken hawks here admit that they were not there before. atleast you have started to face some reality. yes, al qeada is in iraq, and I think its good for iraqis to have these madmen off the street.

    as soon as you neoclowns realize our presence there is attracting al qeada, the better.

    now you idgits need to face the fact, that the new govt that your all rah rah about ,HATES YOU !!!

    get it clowns !
    Reply to this comment
    by radiob-2009 July 18, 2007 11:10 AM PDT
    I tell you Radiob what the heck are they trying to do and what the heck is the MEDIA doing they report this stuff and if we can spot the lies why is the Media not double checking there reporters? I honestly feel this media as we have today have forgotten what it is to be journalist. I know we have a few that will speak up but as a whole they forgot how to be a journalist as I said. We are the ones that lose because after stories they spill out like this tells just what we got don't you think?
    Posted by starleo146



    This story is complete hyerbole and the media are reporting as factual. By doing so with all the clear attempts that this is a ploy they are actually do more harm than good. The general that came up with releasing this should have his bars removed as this is too obvious as a scam to flush out the leadership of Al Queda that is shows how desparately ignorant we are of Al Quedas command structure in Iraq.
    Reply to this comment
    by adventurepa July 18, 2007 11:14 AM PDT
    Posted by guyfrompa45
    "the way the liberals want us to lose the war. They don't really care about what's going on.
    Get the republicans out, If they cared they would have done something by now."

    Nice try but your head is corrupted with repuke.
    We want all of are troops home safe, not dead in Iraq. And to finish the job in Afghanistan and Pakistan, your hero, the GOP boyless wonder has yet to do.

    Get the republicans out? With all the corruption and memory loss, Constitutional rights violations and lying, can you blame them? If you are not upset, you have not been paying attention!!!!!

    "they would have done something by now"
    They have been trying, but everytime they do, the Repukes block the measure or the president envolks Exectutive Privledge or veto's the measure.


    Reply to this comment
    by prinzowhales July 18, 2007 11:28 AM PDT
    mbcsmith--Just because the MSM calls every attack by the freedom fighters of Iraq on our troops an al Qaeda attack, doesn't make it so.

    FBI Director Mueller, himself, said they had no case against Osama for 9-11 and it is not listed as a reason that he is wanted--as if the fake Osama video wherein a fat guy wearing jewelry is said to claim responsibility, and the fact that a minimum of seven of the hijackers named by the FBI are still alive, were not enough evidence to prove that something is seriously amiss with the basis for our 'war on terror.'

    We are fighting to occupy Iraq--the Vatican City sized embassy and the 14 permanent bases were started when our al Qaeda organization had no appreciable presence in Iraq. Now, the Washington Regime just calls its tormentors 'al Qaeda' and expect all the MbcSmiths of the world to buy into their latest release in the 'Tall Tales From Iraq' series of lies and nonsense.
    Reply to this comment
    by condumism July 18, 2007 11:30 AM PDT
    guyfrompa45! Are you a Southerner? No need to quote any of your fascist based rheotoric, because you only plagerize those that have admitted lying to you and your fellow Rethugs, from the likes of Rush Limbaugh. I'd guess that you were raised a bigot, same as are your parents, thus you've likely never been able to think for yourself, EVER! Too bad, what a waste of one human life you seem to be.............
    Reply to this comment
    by antoniof123 July 18, 2007 12:04 PM PDT
    Mission accomplished:

    Before invasion = no al Qaeda.

    After invasion = al Qaeda.

    Good job GOP you have done more to help their cause then all the other religious wing nuts of the world.

    I hope you didn't think we forgot.

    This means the GOP is worst then others in keeping al Qaeda and the rest down.
    Reply to this comment
    by smirk5 July 18, 2007 12:10 PM PDT
    Nice story. Where's the actual proof of any of this? It seems as if the press has to just swallow this without any independent confirmation. How'd that work for the WMDs in Iraq? This story is way too convenient.
    Reply to this comment
    by one_american July 18, 2007 12:13 PM PDT
    The liberals are losing their war against America.

    They are just too ignorant to realize it yet.


    In the mean time, the capture of the top leader al-Qaeda in Iraq is great news - for our troops and for our country.

    Kind of puts the Democrats and their Silly Pajama Party Stunt to shame, doesn't it?
    Reply to this comment
    by neoconrcrazy July 18, 2007 12:16 PM PDT
    the repubs now blocking debate and change in the course of this insane war, and bandwagonning around "their" president -

    as the same 2 centuries ago who pledged loyalty to their King George of England.

    traitors each and every one of them.


    Reply to this comment
    by smirk5 July 18, 2007 12:17 PM PDT
    I bet Karl Rove cooked this one up.
    Reply to this comment
    by clestes-2009 July 18, 2007 12:17 PM PDT
    It does not matter how many Al-Quida "number 2" or whatever is caught. There is always another or several more ready to take his place.

    This strategy of putting inadequate number of boots on the ground is only a way to keep increasing the number of US dead!! The American people have already spoken on this. We want a change of tactics!!!

    Bush does not appear able to do so, as I read yesterday he is going to ask for MORE, yes, MORE soldiers in Sept. All based on the premise that victory is around the corner.

    Even supposing that we had not already heard that line 3 times before and each time it turned out to be premature, it is NOT what the American people want!

    Keep this killing strategy up and Bush will go down in history and a mass murderer, right up there next to Stalin, Hitler and Pol Pot, and Republicans will lose even more congressional seats.
    Reply to this comment
    by one_american July 18, 2007 12:17 PM PDT
    The liberals are losing their war against America.

    They are just too ignorant to realize it yet.


    In the mean time, the capture of the top leader al-Qaeda in Iraq is great news - for our troops and for our country.

    Kind of puts the Democrats and their Silly Pajama Party Stunt to shame, doesn't it?
    Reply to this comment
    by clestes-2009 July 18, 2007 12:22 PM PDT
    One_American

    I guess you forgot that WON EVERY SINGLE SEAT up for grabs last Nov.

    It is apparent that the American people are getting "war weary" and ready for a change. You can paint it any color you want, it won't matter. The anti-war movement is gaining steam and will roll all those who oppose it RIGHT OUT THE DOOR next year.
    Reply to this comment
    by smirk5 July 18, 2007 12:24 PM PDT
    Even if this were true and there's really no proof of it whatsoever that has been offered, it still shows how stupid invading Iraq was and how it has increased terrorism. If true, then Al-Qaeda has regrouped in the Pakistan/Afghanistan area and it has grown in Iraq too. That means Bush is losing the war on terror.
    Reply to this comment
    by radiob-2009 July 18, 2007 12:25 PM PDT
    In the mean time, the capture of the top leader al-Qaeda in Iraq is great news - for our troops and for our country.

    Kind of puts the Democrats and their Silly Pajama Party Stunt to shame, doesn't it?

    Posted by One_American


    BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, leader of the militant group Islamic State of Iraq, was arrested Friday in western Baghdad, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said.

    Al-Baghdadi was reported captured by United States and Iraqi forces in a raid in Abu Ghraib, on the western outskirts of Baghdad, on March 9, 2007.[5] Officials denied that the person captured was Al-Baghdadi on March 10, but said that the person was "a senior al-Qaida leader".

    Not a very clever ploy, CNN is reporting that Mahmoud al-Mashhadani was captured 7-4-07 and is talking freely to interrogators. 14 days and the person allegedly in contact with OBL in Iraq and yet no progress is being made in apphrending or thwarting Al Quedas leadership in Aghanistan or Pakistan.Know a ruse when one sees a ruse and if I can see it so can AL Queda. Earlier this year if anyone has a memory al-Baghdadi was supposedly captured. A fictional character is captured, thats good.Our intel strategist are sleeping on the job coming up with this. If you want to flush the organization hierarchy out this is not the way to do it.

    I do not believe in conspiracy theories this is simply a ploy nothing more.
    Reply to this comment
    by one_american July 18, 2007 12:25 PM PDT
    The liberals are losing their war against America.

    They are just too ignorant to realize it yet.


    In the mean time, the capture of the top leader al-Qaeda in Iraq is great news - for our troops and for our country.

    Kind of puts the Democrats and their Silly Pajama Party Stunt to shame, doesn't it?

    And for you, clestes; this isn't about votes, fool.

    This is about preserving democracies and fighting terrorism.

    Grow a brain, will you?
    Reply to this comment
    by tuckerndfw July 18, 2007 12:30 PM PDT
    The propaganda is unceasing.

    How many "top leaders" has the US captured or killed so far?

    According to my count, this is the 315th "number two man" or "top leader" US forces have captured or killed.

    Anyone who believes this nonsense is a moron.

    This guy is probably a member of the puppet Iraqi government.
    Reply to this comment
    by clestes-2009 July 18, 2007 12:31 PM PDT
    One_American to continue

    In fact, things are looking so ugly for the pro-war group, I expect congressional republicans to jump ship ever faster this fall.

    Being pro-war has consequences for a political candidate. Take a good look at John McCain. He started out strong and is now sinking ever lower in the polls. I guess it does not occur to you that his pro-war stance has something to do with it?

    Or how about the fact that the majority of rep voters don't favor ANY candidate, putting as their primary choice "other" when asked who they would vote for.

    You can gnash your teeth in fury and spout nonsense about cowards, and losing and whatever.

    This fact remains.

    AMERICANS ARE AGAINST CONTINUING TO PUT TROOPS IN IRAQ.
    Reply to this comment
    by clestes-2009 July 18, 2007 12:36 PM PDT
    One_American

    It very much concerns who votes for what. And the "war", such as it is, is going to be voted right out of existence next year.

    It is the voting American public that ultimately decides what course this country follows. And after 6 years of this course, the people want something different.
    Reply to this comment
    by ubikvalis2 July 18, 2007 12:43 PM PDT

    "In the mean time, the capture of the top leader al-Qaeda in Iraq is great news - for our troops and for our country."

    There will be a brand new "top leader" or "number two" to capture tomorrow.

    It's only good news if the slaughter in Iraq actually diminishes, and things stabilize -- and even Bush's own cherry-picked, spun report says Iraq is a massive failure. The bombings, IEDs, etc., will continue for the next year, the next decade, the next century in Iraq until 1) we leave or 2) Militant Islam no longer exists. We've been working hard to make sure option two never happens (Abu Graib, Falluja, Iraq occupation, etc.).


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