Iraqi forces claim arrest of local al-Qaida leader (al-Masri)

[sabra]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1162378369690&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Iraqi forces claim arrest of local al-Qaida leader
By ASSOCIATED PRESS

BAGHDAD, Iraq

Iraqi security forces said they arrested the head of an al-Qaida cell in a western Iraqi city on Friday.

Acting on a tip-off, soldiers descended on a building in the city of Rawah, 275 kilometers (175 miles) northwest of Baghdad, where they arrested local al-Qaida commander Abu Muhayyam al-Masri, whose name is a pseudonym meaning, "the Egyptian," a Defense Ministry official said.

Aides Abu Issam al-Libi, or "the Libyan," and Abu Zaid al-Suri, "the Syrian," were also arrested among nine other members of the cell, said the official, who asked that his name not be used because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The official said al-Suri confessed to being responsible for organizing at least one suicide bombing in Baghdad. He said the raid also netted a large quantity of weapons.

[Eugene]

1. New al-Qaida tape says 12,000 activated

Posted on Fri, Nov. 10, 2006

New al-Qaida tape says 12,000 activated

Associated Press

CAIRO, Egypt - Al-Qaida in Iraq claimed in a new audio tape on Friday
to have mobilized 12,000 fighters in the wartorn country.

"The al-Qaida army has 12,000 fighters in Iraq, and they have vowed
to die for God's sake" said Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, in an audio tape
made available on militant web sites.

Also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, al-Muhajir became the leader of
al-Qaida in Iraq after Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed by the U.S. military
in June.

Describing George W. Bush as "the most stupid president" in U.S. history,
the al-Qaida leader reached out to the Muslim world and said his group was
winning faster than expected in Iraq.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15979839.htm

[sabra]

2. so was the tape made before or after they captured al-Masri ?

[Eugene]

3. Do they really know for sure who al-Masri is?

I'll believe the report when I hear confirmation.
This ID comes very fast since authorities have
given conflicting information about al-Masri.
If this is for real, Nouri al-Maliki will be
crowing about it shortly.

[sabra]

4. considering that a while back there was a report the al-Masri

was in an Egyptian for the last 10 years, I take all of this very salted...

[wizstars]

5. ...al-Maliki will be crowing about it.....

So will His AssHoliness George W.

[Mudoria]

6. Excellent news if true..

[javelina]

7. IF true

I don't trust them to tell the truth.... But, yes. If this is true, it is very good news.