Home » Archives » "Terror chief barely escapes capture"

Terror chief barely escapes capture

Feb-24-2005 » Filed Under: Iraq News

Link to Full Article
BY MOHAMAD BAZZI, NEWSDAY

BEIRUT -- Iraqi and U.S. forces have come close to capturing Islamic militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi at least twice since mid-January, according to Kurdish intelligence officials.

In each case, Iraq's most wanted man escaped shortly before raids on his hideouts, the two officials said in phone interviews from Iraq. Even though al-Zarqawi fled, Iraqi and U.S. officials were pleased by the accuracy of the intelligence that led to the raids.

"They came very close to capturing him," one of the Kurdish officials said. "They had never been this close previously, and it means that the new intelligence they're gathering is much better than before."

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, would not say where and when the raids took place.

Al-Zarqawi's close calls are one sign that his militant network in Iraq has sustained serious losses and may be unraveling. Since early this month, Iraqi and U.S. forces have carried out a series of little-noticed raids in Baghdad, Mosul and other areas that led to the killing or capture of at least eight al-Zarqawi operatives.

The recent arrests followed the capture of one of al-Zarqawi's top lieutenants, Abu Omar al-Kurdi, in a Jan. 15 raid in Baghdad. Al-Kurdi has provided detailed information about his boss' movements, hiding places and communication methods, according to the intelligence officials. [...]

Al-Zarqawi is possibly hiding in the northern city of Mosul, or in a nearby region bordered by the towns of Tal Afar and Hamam Al-Ali, the Kurdish officials said. The area has strong networks of Islamic militants and former loyalists of Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime.


Advertisements