Reply #11: Al-Qaeda in Iraq Leader Arrested [View All]

Source: Time Magazine Online

May 8, 2008

(BAGHDAD) — The leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, was arrested in the northern city of Mosul, the Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman said Thursday. Mohammed al-Askari said the arrest of al-Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, was confirmed to him by the Iraqi commander of the province. There was no immediate confirmation or comment from U.S. forces.

News of the arrest was also reported by Iraqi state television.

"The commander of Ninevah military operations informed me that Iraqi troops captured Abu Hamza al-Muhajir the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq," al-Askari told The Associated Press by telephone.

He did not have any further details nor did he say when the al-Qaeda leader was arrested. According to unconfirmed reports, however, he was caught Thursday evening in the Tayran area in central Mosul, 225 miles northwest of Baghdad. Mosul is currently a major battleground for U.S. forces and al-Qaeda.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1738632,00.html

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This is Al Qaeda's #1 in Iraq--the man who replaced Zarqawi.