US seizes 'senior Iraq militant'

[Eugene]

Source: BBC News

Last Updated: Saturday, 27 October 2007, 13:54 GMT 14:54 UK

US seizes 'senior Iraq militant'

US forces have captured a senior Shia militia leader
and killed two others in a raid in the central Iraqi
province of Diyala, the US military has said.

The military said the men were members of the Mehdi
Army militia loyal to the Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr,
who had defied his order to suspend activities.

The captured man is suspected of having ties to an
Iranian intelligence cell.

-snip-

Saturday's US operation in the village of al-Fawwaliya
targeted the hideout of a "senior militia extremist"
involved in weapons procurement, kidnappings and
roadside bomb attacks against coalition forces, the
US military said.

"As the assault force approached the building... two
armed men with weapons and hand grenades
manoeuvred on the assault force, one of whom was
wearing a suicide vest," the statement said.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7065435.stm

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Related:
Coalition forces capture extremist splinter group leader (Fawwaliyah) - MNF Iraq
FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Oct 27 - Reuters

[annabanana]

1. They had "defied" al Sadr's "stand down." . .

Which I read this morning he is considering lifting. . .

The target on our troops is about to get much bigger, I think.

[John Q. Citizen]

2. #2 ?

[DRoseDARs]

4. Maybe they've wised-up and decided to call this hydra by a different name for once. n/t

:shrug:

[BadGimp]

3. The captured man is suspected...

"The captured man is suspected of having ties to an Iranian intelligence cell. "

But of course. How convenient.

[ohio2007]

5. Where is Mookies response to this action?

I'm sure he has an opinion on it;

....defied his order to suspend activities....

Maybe mookie should deal with the rebel.

[appleannie1]

6. Was it another number two?

[tom_paine]

7. Oh yes...al-Qaeda's Number Two caught again!

Oh joy.