<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> WorldTribune.com: Mobile — Al Qaida using Saddam's hometown as safe haven
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Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Free Headline Alerts

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military reported that the Al Qaida network has retreated to the hometown of the late Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

"Al Qaida has found a haven in Tikrit and was given assistance by Saddam's tribe," an official said.

Officials said senior Al Qaida operatives have been operating around Tikrit, the hometown and refuge of Saddam, executed in 2006, Middle East Newsline reported. They said Al Qaida has used Tikrit and other locations in the Tigris River valley for suicide operations around Baghdad.

On Aug. 17, U.S. and Iraqi forces captured eight suspected Al Qaida operatives in central and northern Iraq. The raids were said to have targeted Al Qaida suicide planners and recruiters of foreign volunteers from neighboring Syria.

"Coalition forces disrupted an AQI [Al Qaida in Iraq] bombing network in the Tigris River Valley during two related operations," a U.S. military statement said.

The use of Tikrit by Al Qaida was disclosed in July 2008. Officials said captured Al Qaida operatives reported that the insurgency movement was using Tikrit and the surrounding area, including Bayji, to coordinate suicide bombings and recruitment.

At least one senior Al Qaida operative was reported to have been captured in Tikrit, about 160 kilometers north of Baghdad. Officials said the unidentified detainee facilitated the movement of suicide bombers and foreign volunteers. Later, U.S. and Iraqi forces arrested another Al Qaida suspect linked to a suicide attack cell.

Officials said Al Qaida was using Tikrit and other locations to help reestablish the Islamic insurgency presence in Baghdad. They said Al Qaida was recruiting foreigners to conduct operations, including suicide attacks on Shi'ite pilgrims, in the Iraqi capital.

"In Baghdad, coalition forces captured a wanted man and one associate reportedly working for the AQI foreign terrorist facilitation network that has developed in the city," the U.S. military said.

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