al-Qaida Figure (#3) Arrested in Ramadi (AP)

(They sure have a lot of #3's)

Dec 9, 3:11 PM EST

al-Qaida Figure Arrested in Ramadi

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- The American military Friday arrested a high-ranking member of al-Qaida in Iraq in the town of Ramadi, the U.S. Marines said. Amir Khalaf Fanus, also known in the Ramadi area as "the Butcher," was wanted for criminal activities including murder and kidnapping, Capt. Jeffrey S. Pool said in a statement from the town, located 70 miles west of Baghdad.

Fanus was No. 3 on a most-wanted list for Ramadi drawn up by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division. "He is the highest ranking al-Qaida in Iraq member to be turned into Iraqi and U.S. officials by local citizens," Pool said. "His capture is another indication that the local citizens tire of the insurgents' presence within their community."

According to Pool, Iraqi and U.S. Forces "have witnessed increasing signs of citizens fighting the terrorists within Ramadi as the Dec. 15 National Elections draw nearer."

<http://staging.hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ_AL_QAIDA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-12-09-15-11-03>
(more at link above)

allegedly caught.

"Will the 'real' #3 please step forward?"

They all step forward.

The Butcher- give me a F-break!

The Butcher of Bakersfield

The Butcher of Leone.

of catching another high ranking al qaida figure?

i'd be all like -- damn, where the hell do they get all these high ranking dudes from?

:sarcasm:

...and nine months old, and six months old, and three months old, and two weeks old....

:evilgrin:

Fanus was #3 locally but was he that big a fish overall?
I guess we have to take encouraging signs where we find them.

...but it doesn't mean I was going to be a top finisher in State Cross-country meet.

aGAIN???