BAGHDAD — Iraq has captured a senior operative of Al Qaida.
The Defense Ministry said Iraqi security forces arrested a senior aide
of Al Qaida network chief Abu Mussib Al Zarqawi in Baghdad. The ministry
said Kassam Al Ani was captured in Baghdad on late May 28, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The Iraqi army forces arrested three terrorists who belong to Al Qaida,
one of them is a senior aide of Zarqawi in Baghdad," Defense Ministry
spokesman Kassim Al Mosawi said.
The U.S. military has not confirmed the arrest.
Al Mosawi said Al Ani was the mastermind of numerous suicide strikes in
Baghdad. The Defense Ministry spokesman said the detainee was a leading
fugitive of Iraqi authorities.
Over the last year, Iraq and the United States have reported the capture
of more than 20 senior Al Qaida operatives. Officials said this has resulted
in a significant drop in suicide strikes, mostly outside in Baghdad.
Officials said the Iraq Army received a tip that Al Ani and two other
suspects were in a hideout in northern Baghdad. They said the Al Qaida
operatives offered no resistance.
