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Iraq
US: al-Qaida in Iraq Big Turban Captured
2007-07-18
Pretty significant, if the content is true.
The U.S. command said Wednesday the highest-ranking Iraqi in the leadership of al-Qaida in Iraq has been arrested, adding that information from him indicates the group's foreign-based leadership wields considerable influence over the Iraqi chapter.

Khaled Abdul-Fattah Dawoud Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, also known as Abu Shahid, was captured in Mosul on July 4, said Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner, a military spokesman. "Al-Mashhadani is believed to be the most senior Iraqi in the al-Qaida in Iraq network," Bergner said. He said al-Mashhadani was a close associate of Abu Ayub al-Masri, the Egyptian-born head of al-Qaida in Iraq.

Bergner said al-Mashhadani served as an intermediary between al-Masri and Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri. "In fact, communication between the senior al-Qaida leadership and al-Masri frequently went through al-Mashhadani," Bergner said. "Along with al-Masri, al-Mashhadani co-founded a virtual organization in cyberspace called the Islamic State of Iraq in 2006," Bergner said. "The Islamic State of Iraq is the latest efforts by al-Qaida to market itself and its goal of imposing a Taliban-like state on the Iraqi people."

Bergner said al-Mashhadani had told interrogators that al-Baghdadi is a "fictional role" created by al-Masri and that an actor is used for audio recordings of speeches posted on the Web. "In his words, the Islamic State of Iraq is a front organization that masks the foreign influence and leadership within al-Qaida in Iraq in an attempt to put an Iraqi face on the leadership of al-Qaida in Iraq," Bergner said.
In Web postings, the Islamic State of Iraq has identified its leader as Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, with al-Masri as minister of war. There are no known photos of al-Baghdadi. Bergner said al-Mashhadani had told interrogators that al-Baghdadi is a "fictional role" created by al-Masri and that an actor is used for audio recordings of speeches posted on the Web. "In his words, the Islamic State of Iraq is a front organization that masks the foreign influence and leadership within al-Qaida in Iraq in an attempt to put an Iraqi face on the leadership of al-Qaida in Iraq," Bergner said.

He said al-Mashhadani was a leader of the militant Ansar al-Sunnah group before joining al-Qaida in Iraq 2 1/2 years ago. Al-Mashhadani served as the al-Qaida media chief for Baghdad and then was appointed the media chief for the whole country.
Posted by:Fred

#12  "Alluha Akbar!!", the new Dhimmicratic Party slogan, al_Mashhadani will not get to hear (awwwwww!!!) if the Dhimmicrats ever get their way for "cutting and running" in the face of Al Qaeda.
Posted by: Elmomoth Javitle4523   2007-07-18 17:49  

#11  note: John Pemberton surrendered his army at the battle of Vicksburg..
Posted by: A T   2007-07-18 14:57  

#10  This is an excellent omen for the Iraqis:

Other events on the 4th of July:
Declaration of Independence
July 3rd, 1863 - (I'm sure it was July 4th somewhere in the world) Lee made his single greatest mistake in the Civil War - Union troops repelled a massive artillery assault on Cemetery Ridge during the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg in southern Pennsylvania. During the early morning hours Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered General Longstreet to prepare General Pickett's troops for the assault. Longstreet advised Lee of his reservations about the success of such an advance, which he did not feel Confederate troops could sustain. Lee disregarded Longstreet and maintained his order for a heavy bombardment of Union defenses on the Ridge followed by an advance of Pickett's men.

On July 4th, 1863, Conf. General John Pemberton surrendered his army and the army of the Confederacy was split in two.

The complete liberation of the Phillippines was announced by McArthur on July 5th (I will assume it July 4th back in the good ol' USA)

On July 4th, ? Frederick Douglass decried the evils of slavery, still prevalent in the American South at that time, but identified forces "drawing encouragement from the Declaration of Independence, the great principles it contains, and the genius of American Institutions in operation" that "must inevitably work The downfall of slavery."

Men who were recalled by their maker on the 4th of July:
Ben Franklin
George Washington
John Adams
John Hancock
TJ
Abe

The capture and resulting information obtained from this the Iraqi likewise bodes as a major turning event in the fight for Liberty and Justice for all.
Posted by: A T   2007-07-18 14:55  

#9  What they're not telling you is that Khaled Abdul-Fattah Dawoud Mahmoud al-Mashhadani wasn't captured, he defected. He's been a U.S. double agent for years, and he left behind other double agents who are still supplying us with information.

Or not.

Whether it's true or not, I hope the bad guys are hearing lost of rumors that Khaled was working for us. Confusion to our enemies!
Posted by: Mike   2007-07-18 14:12  

#8  OOOH, there must be something wrong here. Al Queda in Iraq Mesopatania doesn't exist and if it did no Iraqi would be part of it. I know. Its my paper and I'll decide if things are real or not and whether the USA should be secured or not. If you don't like it then sell your stock and never come near my paper again.
Posted by: Pinch the Mench   2007-07-18 12:06  

#7  Captured in Mosul on July 4th (such a nice birthday present for America!), not revealed until the 18th? They emptied his head awfully fast... not to mention his computer, his cell phone, his...
Posted by: trailing wife   2007-07-18 11:43  

#6  Bergner said al-Mashhadani had told interrogators that al-Baghdadi is a "fictional role" created by al-Masri and that an actor is used for audio recordings of speeches posted on the Web.

I believe we discussed the idea that might be the case here. al-Baghdadi, the phantom, the man who's everywhere and nowhere, the man who can't be caught or killed because he doesn't exist.

Which all falls apart when you nab the right guy and he sings like a bird.
Posted by: Steve   2007-07-18 11:28  

#5  al-Mashhadani served as an intermediary between al-Masri and Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri.

Maybe with the right kind of panties on the head, info will lead to other big turbans.
Posted by: JohnQC   2007-07-18 11:27  

#4  Harder to do - too many targets of opportunity.
Posted by: lotp   2007-07-18 10:46  

#3  Yeah, the leaders have lots of intelto share, so they get the really good interrogators. We are also picking up a number of their leaders, so someone is spilling something. By now I think we have a clear picture of al Qaeda structure, movements, tactics, times and places.
Now to infiltrate the US Senate.
Posted by: wxjames   2007-07-18 10:21  

#2  I guarantee that the Brave Lion of Islam™ is singing like a canary.
Posted by: DarthVader   2007-07-18 10:11  

#1  KHALED ABDUL FATTAH DAWUD MAHMUD AL MASHADANI

Good thing he "graduated" before Iraq decides to put "an emphasis on education." Otherwise, he'd still be at the blackboard trying to spell his name!
Posted by: BA   2007-07-18 10:11  

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