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. (Getty Images/Ali Al-Saadi)
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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:
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See all 167 Commentstell 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?????
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.
So, IMO, Al Qaeda in Iraq is overstated, as usual, by Bu$h and Repus.
Posted by mbcsmith at 09:10 AM : Jul 18, 2007
Well, aren't you a mouth piece.
So, IMO, Al Qaeda in Iraq is overstated, as usual, by Bu$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.
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?
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.
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.
Repuglicons: the PARTY of the American COWARD!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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."
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!!
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.
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.
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 !
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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?
as the same 2 centuries ago who pledged loyalty to their King George of England.
traitors each and every one of them.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
"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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