AL QAIDA LEADERS CAPTURED IN IRAQ

KEY AL QAIDA LEADERS CAPTURED IN IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Multi-National Forces conducted several raids here recently capturing more than 30 terrorists, including two reported high ranking Al-Qaida leaders with ties to its leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, according to a military spokesman.

Among those captured and close confidants to al-Zarqawi are Abdulla Ibrahim Muhammed Hassan al Shadad, or Abu Abdul Aziz and Khamis Farhan Khalaf Abd al Fahdawi, or Abu Seba. Aziz served Zarqawi as both a terrorist cell leader in Baghdad and as an operations officer for al-Qaida in Iraq and was captured here July 10.

According to authorities, Aziz is cooperating with Mutli-National Forces.

Coalition Operations in Ar Ramadi secured the capture of Abu Seba July 9 after intelligence provided information that led to his whereabouts. Seba served as a senior lieutenant of Al Qaida in Iraq, and is suspected in attacks against diplomats of Bahrain, Pakistan and the recent murder of Egyptian envoy, Ihab Salah al Din Ahmad al Sharif. Al Qaida ordered the attacks against Arab diplomats in an effort to reduce support for the government of Iraq according to a military spokesman.

During these raids vital information, evidence and equipment were recovered that implicate both Aziz and Seba as members of Zarqawi’s leadership cell.

Other information discovered included computer equipment, weapons, pornography, propaganda and documents.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER AT (703) 270-0279 / 0299 / 0321 / 0319 / 0273 / 0320.

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Source: centcom.mil/ NEWS RELEASE, HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND, 7115 South Boundary Boulevard, MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101, Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 July 14, 2005, Release Number: 05-07-08, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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