U.S.: Iraq's Al Qaeda Boss Still On Loose

Military Denies Claims By Iraqi Officials That Abu Ayyub al-Masri Captured In Mosul

(CBS/AP)  The U.S. military said Friday that the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq had been not been captured, despite a claim by the Iraqi government.

U.S. military spokeswoman Maj. Peggy Kageleiry said "neither coalition forces nor Iraqi security forces detained or killed Abu Ayyub al-Masri. This guy had a similar name."

She said that no additional details were being provided.

On Thursday night, Iraqi army and police officials said al-Masri had been captured in the northern city of Mosul.

Military spokesman Mohammed al-Askari said the arrest of al-Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, was confirmed to him by the Iraqi commander of the province. U.S. forces did not initially comment on the reported arrest.

The U.S. military in Baghdad said Thursday it is aware of the reported arrest, but had no "operational reports" and was looking into it, reported CBS News correspondent Cami McCormick.

Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf said that Mosul police "arrested one of al Qaeda's leaders at midnight and during the primary investigations he admitted that he is Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir."

News of the alleged arrest was also reported by Iraqi state television and Arab satellite TV stations.

The state channel, Iraqiya, said that Minister of Interior Jawad al-Bolani would reward Mosul police for the capture.

The arrest would have represent a major blow to al Qaeda in Iraq, which has been on the run for the past year following a shift in alliances by Sunni tribesmen in western Anbar province, and elsewhere, and an influx of thousands of U.S. troops.

The U.S. military considers the organization its number one enemy in Iraq.

Mosul, 225 miles northwest of Baghdad, is currently a major battleground for U.S. forces and al Qaeda.

Al-Masri, an Egyptian militant, took over al Qaeda in Iraq after Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed June 7, 2006 in a U.S. airstrike northeast of Baghdad.

The Islamic State of Iraq, an umbrella organization that includes al Qaeda in Iraq, last year announced an "Islamic Cabinet" for Iraq and named al-Masri as "minister of war."

U.S. officials said al-Masri joined an extremist group led by al Qaeda's No.2 official in 1982. He joined al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan in 1999 and trained as a car bombing expert before traveling to Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

According to associates in Afghanistan, al-Masri has been involved in Islamic extremist movements since 1982, when he joined Islamic Jihad, a terror group led by Ayman al-Zawahri, who became bin Laden's chief deputy.

Al-Masri fought with Muslim rebels against the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s and later ran al Qaeda training camps there.

[downtowner97]

The funny thing about Al Qaeda is that everyone is number 2. That''s why no superpower has ever won a war against guerilla fighters. That was how we gained our independence from England. Take away the command structure, take off your uniforms, and you''ve already won.

[clestes-2009]

Sounds like the typical BS we all have come to expect from this f*cked up "WMD/spreading democracy/whatever excuse" this disaster called Iraq has become. Whatever the truth is, the American people won''t get it. Also another example of how well the Iraq military and the US military work together.

[bluestardad]

THIS GUY IS MAKING VIDEOS IN CRAWFORD TEXAS!

START WAR CRIMES NOW...

DEMAND THE TRUTH!

AMERICA STAND UP OR SHUT UP!

[ioweign]

Sounds like the typical BS we all have come to expect from this f*cked up "WMD/spreading democracy/whatever excuse" this disaster called Iraq has become. Whatever the truth is, the American people won''''t get it. Also another example of how well the Iraq military and the US military work together.

Posted by clestes at 07:48 AM : May 09, 2008

They made the announcement they captured him before they had the name of his successor. That is so unlike them...just how do they think they can keep this up for 100 years...

[underdogus]

THIS GUY IS MAKING VIDEOS IN CRAWFORD TEXAS!
Posted by bluestardad he,he,he you''re a riot!!

[ioweign]

same post everyday.....put up or shut up!! quit posting to what everyone should do.....you go do it!!!

Posted by jamesm12341 at 07:52 AM : May 09, 2008

Same post everyday - no "real" comments - just criticize when someone else posts...

[ioweign]

same post everyday.....put up or shut up!! quit posting to what everyone should do.....you go do it!!!

Posted by jamesm12341 at 07:52 AM : May 09, 2008

Same post everyday - no "real" comments - just criticize when someone else posts...

[vietvet1973]

Is the guy in the pic Rush Limbaugh? Striking resemblance...minus 200 lbs or so.

[ioweign]

are you wrong on all your posts?

Posted by jamesm12341 at 08:15 AM : May 09, 2008

No way...

[underdogus]

No way...

Posted by IOWEIGN at 08:21 AM : May 09, 2008

just most of them huh


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Posted by jamesm12341 at 08:28 AM : May 09, 2008
go to a chat room morons....

[omnibus66]

Seems like the Iraqi government has learned an important lesson from the Decider. Even if you can''t accomplish anything, say you did anyway.

Not that it would really matter if they had actually caught this guy. How many times have we heard that the capture of some al Qaeda leader had "critically wounded" their movement?

The truth is, their leaders are totally expendable and easily replaced. Most of the assessments that I have seen conclude that a Qaeda only continues to get stronger despite our best efforts.

Al Qaeda is less than 10% of the enemy that we are fighting in Iraq. The vast majority are Iraqis who don''t want us there.

[underdogus]

oh yea,,,underdogus...the guy so depressed in life that he tries to convince the weakminded on here that the country is heading for a depression....what a joke you are....go get help
Posted by jamesm12341...as oil marches toward 125$...he,he hmmm? face reality jimmy boy....

[tawpdawg11]

get out yer bubble gum cards....its either him or it isnt....sheesh beofre ou announce to the whole world and then OOOOOPPPSEY....judt kidding ...wrong guy. See its spelled differently on his bubble gum card. My bad. Keep looking. Get back under your bed.

[underdogus]

Renewed expectations that the dollar will continue to weaken against foreign currencies such as the euro and the yen are likely to keep pushing oil to new records...watch your head jimmy boy.....

[dredre2k]

This is all they could find? This guy looks like a character from a bad y a g nrop
movie... ! Keep looking for "al queda" Bush, they''re right with the WMD that''s in Iraq.

[underdogus]

jamesm12341..yeah everything will fine get your milk and cookies and go to bed now. ta,ta

[prinzowhales]

US Spokesman in Wonder Woman''s Lasso of Truth...

"Whoops! We are so Stupid!...We captured our own agent! Just forget about it folks...Want to see me dance?"

[mbcsmith]

This is all they could find? This guy looks like a character from a bad y a g nrop
movie... ! Keep looking for "al queda" Bush, they''''re right with the WMD that''''s in Iraq.


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Posted by dredre2k at 08:44 AM : May 09, 2008



LIBS just don''t get it.

[bgwinnett]

It''s gotta be said that, Al-Quaeda have done a pretty **** poor job at instilling Islamic Revolution across the whole middle East so far.The lesson from this is -- and the Neocons should take heed of this too -- that, scaring the *** out of people with bombs and bullets isn''t going to make them see your way.

[petro49l]

Al Mazri is hardly a genius. He adores two homosexuals like Bin Laden and Zawahiri. Mazri is simply misguided and disillusioned. He would reconsider his actions, if given a second chance.

[dredre2k]

LIBS just don''''t get it. ~ mbcsmith

Libs just don''t get What? 8 years of bad policy? Two needless wars? 4000 american troops dead?

We haven''t captured Osama, haven''t made ourselves safer, and didn''t find WMD and this was all under the banner of a president who fooled the true conservatives into doing whatever he wants! He''s also used the terror alerts and the patriot act to keep dissent down and the population in line!

He''s the quintessential Manchurian Candidate for his Neo-conservative & corporate masters.

[superdem]

It wouldn''t matter even if they DID catch the "leader" of al Qaeda in Iraq - there would be a new leader by that afternoon. If we really want to destroy al Qaeda in Iraq, there''s a simple way - LEAVE. The Shiite majority would take care of al Qaeda very quickly, and their flow of new recruits would dry up with their cause. al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbullah, all these guys exist because we are trying to force western, pro-Israeli control throughout the Middle East against the peoples'' wishes, and because we stupidly are opposed to Iran, a nation on the move destined to dominate the Middle East like it always has. This is a fact that we must accommodate, but no, it conflicts with our "vision" so we piddle and *** and try to hamstring the Iranians when we should be building a strong relationship. Of course we can''t - why ? Our insane and unjust support for Israel, the biggest diplomatic blunder of the century. Why anyone thought shoving this hot coal up the arabs'' rear was a good idea I''ll never know. Obviously, sixty years later, the war goes on, so it was NOT a good idea.

[dredre2k]

Actually, very well said, and ACCURATE. - zoe2006

Thank you! :-) Feel free to expand on any of my comments you see. :-)

[clestes-2009]

dragonwagon5,

Thank you for your original comment on waterboarding him anyway. I laughed and I didn''t think anything could make me laugh today.

[inventagod2]

Yes, indeed. Bu$h is still on the loose...

[msay3]

WAY TO GO, US INTELLIGENCE!! Now you have him, now you don''t and never did!! Sure generates confidence....

[notblue]

superdem and the rest of the purposely blinded haters, pleasa explain one thing. If what you say is true and that our effort to actually fight the enemy breeds more then why were they attacking us for over 30 years prior to fighting them? Knowing this fight explain the logic behind not fighting

[clestes-2009]

dredre2k,

Couldn''t agree with you more, If you haven''t, watch Lions for Lambs. It will really make you think.

[clestes-2009]

notblue,

Because in 1953 the CIA and the MI overthrew the democratically elected prime minister of Iran and put the Shah in.

The root of the hatred is the US foreign policy of interfering with the middle east policies.

[clestes-2009]

notblue,

read the history of the US foreign policy towards not just the middle east, but of southern Asia and eastern Europe. You will see that over and over again, the US has meedled in other countries politics. These people want the US OUT of their political business and so would you if they were meddling in ours.

[trishab4]

Is the guy in the pic Rush Limbaugh? Striking resemblance...minus 200 lbs or so.
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Posted by VietVet1973 at 08:14 AM : May 09, 2008

-vtvt73, are trying to say limbaugh is a pig?


The cat is realeasing its mouse in order to better catch it later on! This is a big blow to the Iraqi Security forces.

[bgwinnett]

Because in 1953 the CIA and the MI overthrew the democratically elected prime minister of Iran and put the Shah in.

The root of the hatred is the US foreign policy of interfering with the middle east policies.

Posted by clestes at 10:11 AM : May 09, 2008

For those who doubt this:
Google Operation "Ajax".

[notblue]

Clestes, so according to you the reason the Muslim extemist have been attacking America for decades is because of our medling going back to he fifties. In other words it''s all Americas fault. Thank you for clearing that up. LOL!

[clestes-2009]

bgwinnett,

The basic problem is that the American people of today are really really ignorant, and by that I mean not informed, and simply do not stop to question or think or ask questions about what the fed govn says.

It didn''t when I was a girl in the 1960''s. Somehow, we have lost the desire to know if our govn is telling us the truth.

[clestes-2009]

notblue,

That is correct! Read about US foreign policy of the last 60 years! Google "Ajax", google American foreign policy.

We brought 9-11 on ourselves!!!

[clestes-2009]

notblue,

If you are going to argue about the middle east, read the history of US interference in their politics. What do you think???? That they hate us because we are a democracy?? Because of rock n roll?? Because womem here vote??

They just want us OUT of their politics.

[clestes-2009]

The American people, who tend to be arrogant thinking the US is best place to live, do not realize that other countries LIKE to take care of their own political affairs. They DO NOT WANT interference from us, and this is espcially true of the middle east.

[notblue]

Clestes, do the actions of the Muslim extremists over the decades warrant any blame? Just curious.

[clestes-2009]

notblue,

Do you not understand what I am saying??? These extremists are want the US out of their political affairs.

Please do some homework on US foreign policy in the middle east since WWI and you will understand why the "extremists" are so extreme.

[liberalme]

will be fine...so will America....only uneducated losers need to worry....you worry a lot.
Posted by jamesm12341 at 08:41 AM

"Wasnt that you that posted that?" from your greatest hits.

Posted by dragonwagon5 at 08:59 AM :

With jwind11s mantras about "taking care of yourself, don''t depend on the government and attempting to make everyone insecure about themselves--is generally someone who is living off some form of government assistance himself attempting to make himself look better than he is and everyone else.
He is not the person he wants us to believe--he lives in a world of his very own, has nothing significant to post and probably gets most of his attention here even though it''s negative, it''s better than nothing.

[clestes-2009]

zoe2006,

there is actually more to it than that. If you can, go to PBS Frontline and watch the show "The man who Knew" His name is John O''Neill.

[mbcsmith]

The American people, who tend to be arrogant thinking the US is best place to live, do not realize that other countries LIKE to take care of their own political affairs. They DO NOT WANT interference from us, and this is espcially true of the middle east.


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Posted by clestes at 10:34 AM : May 09, 2008



Then why does the U.S. allow more immigrants (leagal) to come into the country than any other country in the world. Kind of flies in the face of the LIB montra that "the world hates the U.S."

[notblue]

Clestes, I totally understand they want us out. Did you ever ask yourself why they detest democracy to the extent they will sacrifce themselves, fellow muslims and Americans? You didn''t answer my question, do their actions warrant any blame? Do you think their barbarism is justified? If America was to incorporate their response to "medling" a typical respons to the 12million plus illegal latinos would be to start a campaign of attacks against Mexico which would include daily missile attacks to civilian populated areas with the additional use of suicide attacks and various strategically placed IED''s. Maybe that''s the answer to the illegall immagration issue, at least we would have the support of people like you.

[brianbwb-2009]

I was skeptical when they first announced that they had captured the "Al Qaeda in Iraq" leader, I suggested in the previous topic, that since the last excuse for occupying the country was now in custody, that it is now time to bring the soldiers home.

I had a feeling that another excuse to continue the occupation would be found, bit I didn''t think that the US would be so blatantly and transparently unwilling to stop the criminal occupation, that they would resort to the "Elvis lives" tactic.

Unless the "Al Qaeda in Iraq" is actually an agent of the CIA (a suspicion of mine for a long time), how would the US know to deny the Iraqi claims?

[clestes-2009]

notblue,

I answered your question completely. Until you do your reading and research, what is the point of discussing this??

The US HAS NO RIGHT UNDER ANY LAW to interfere in foreign countries politcal affairs. It does NOT MATTER whether they are barbarians or not!

[brianbwb-2009]

"If America was to incorporate their response to "medling" a typical respons to the 12million plus illegal latinos would be to start a campaign of attacks against Mexico which would include daily missile attacks to civilian populated areas with the additional use of suicide attacks and various strategically placed IED''''s." Posted by notblue

There is a difference, Blue, the Mexicans did not invade as a result of lies by their president about the US being a threat, they come to the US seeking work, not bombing, kidnapping, raping, torturing, and stealing our natural resources.

If such were the case I, and hopefully you would also be part of the resistance, taking out as many as possible, as would be our right, and as is the Iraqis'' right to self defense.

[clestes-2009]

notblue,

one more thing before I have to go. The US has the right to respond with force ANY country that attacks us. We DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT to make judgments on other countries govn and interfere with it.

Do your homework!

[notblue]

Clestes, as usual you did not answer my questions, would a similar response by America to the illegal latino immigrants be justified in your mind? It is exactly the reasoning Hamas uses against Israel, destroy the squaters top there country. Do illegal latino squaters who numbers far exceed the Israelis deserve the same response? Yes or no? Do you think the respons of Muslim extremists is justified? These are simple yes or no questions, why do you refuse to answer?

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by Nancy_Naive

Technically, at the time, we were supposedly backing Saddam, having pushed him to war against Iran, but we had not formally declared war ourselves on the Iranians, therefore they were not "the enemy". (especially since we were selling weapons to them under the table)

This is why North was not tried for trading with the enemy, a charge that would rise to the level of treason.

[buddesatva]

Arrest everybody everywhere who looks like this. Waterboard freely. Is this a Manson impersonation or is this guy naturally nuts?