BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition and Iraqi forces captured a leading insurgent terrorist Dec. 27, and he is believed to be responsible for many Iraqi and Coalition Forces’ deaths, assassinations as well as assassination attempts on government officials and intimidation of Iraqi citizens. Ramsi Ahmed Ismael Muhammed, aka Abu Qatada, was apprehended in a raid on his home in southern Baghdad. He was found hiding in a nearby canal.
Since his capture, Abu Qatada has provided critical information that has led to the capture of several of his terrorist associates. Coalition Forces believe additional information from Abu Qatada will lead to the eventual capture of terror cell leaders. (thats the reason for the delay in reporting of his capture folks)
Born in Syria, Abu Qatada led a terror cell known as the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Iraq, an organization linked to improvised explosive device attacks on Coalition and Iraqi Forces that led to the deaths of several service members, attacks on police forces, the assassinations of two Iraqi government council members and harassment and intimidation of local Iraqis. His terror cell is also the primary suspect in the murders of several truck drivers in order to use their vehicles in VBIED attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces.
Coalition and Iraqi forces view Abu Qatada’s capture as significant not only because of the leadership role he played in the IFLI, but because of his ties to one of the most wanted men in Iraq, Muhammed Hilah Hammad Ubaydi, aka Abu Ayman. Abu Qatada is believed to be a top associate of Abu Ayman, the former aide to the Chief of Staff of Intelligence during the Saddam Hussein regime.
Abu Ayman has been a fugitive since the fall of the regime and is the prime suspect in the kidnapping and killing of several hostages in Iraq and IED attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces. Abu Ayman, with Abu Qatada’s assistance, has committed some of the most lethal attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces and on Iraqi citizens since the fall of the regime.
Pretty nice haul, glad they were able to hold off on the press leak until they used some of the good information he gave out to get some others.