Critics have acknowledged the U.S. operations against Al Qaida. But they
said Al Qaida has demonstrated the ability to regenerate its cells and
replace commanders.
Bergner, the U.S. military spokesman, said Al Qaida was expected to
retaliate in wake of its losses. He raised the prospect that the Sunni
insurgency group would conduct mass-casualty strikes. Over the weekend,
about 250 people were killed in a series of suicide bombings.
"We fully expect Al Qaida in Iraq operatives to lash out and stage
spectacular attacks to reassert themselves," Bergner said.
On Wednesday, the U.S. military reported the arrest of a senior Al Qaida
operative in a village south of Baghdad. A military statement said a
so-called high-value insurgency target was captured in Al Dhour, described
as the most wanted fugitive in southern Baghdad.
The unidentified Al Qaida operative was said to have been involved in
shooting down a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter in April 2006. Two
months later, the operative helped abduct two soldiers.
"Additionally, he is believed to be the leader of an Al Qaida network,
known to prey on the general public through intimidation and murder against
those resisting compliance to the AQI demands and decrees," the statement
said.
The Iraqi military has also reported the killing of numerous Al
Qaida-aligned operatives. On Wednesday, the military said 63 insurgents were
killed in clashes north of Baghdad. Another 42 insurgents were said to have
been captured in operations in Diyala, Kirkuk and Salah Eddin.
