Well I am sure that there are those that will say this is really nothing more than propaganda from the military propaganda machine, and that it will have no impact what so ever on the over picture. But if you believe it happened as they say then it realy seems like a good haul. Responsible for 900 deaths and more than 1900 injuries.
But read into these news releases even more. How do they know these two are part of a "cell" and how do they know who they were BEFORE they were captured. Also notice that they got "actionable intelligence" that led them to the second one. Did that come from the first or someone outside?
What I see in these press releases is that someone is giving or somehow they are getting good intel on these terrorist now that are leading to this type of capture. If they know who these guys are and they can capture them. I wonder how many more captures or eleminations they will make from these two. Guess we will have to wait and see.
Cut and paste follows:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070326-04
March 26, 2007
Suspected Suicide Car Bomb Ring Leader Captured
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – The alleged leader of an insurgent cell that specialized in suicide vehicles was captured in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah security district at approximately 9:00 a.m. March 21.
The alleged cell leader and his driver were engaged by small arms fire after elements from A. Co., 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division noticed his vehicle weaving in-and –out of traffic. The driver initially ignored signals to stop the vehicle.
Upon stopping the vehicle, the passenger was identified as Haytham Kazim Abdallah Al-Shimari. He is suspected of being involved in the planning and execution of the majority of car bombs which have killed hundreds of Iraqi citizens in Sadr City.
Haytham and his driver are being held for questioning.
From: http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10915&Itemid=21
and this one:
Second Suspected Car Bomb Cell Leader Captured
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – A second suspected leader of an insurgent cell that specialized in car bombs was captured in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah Security District March 21.
Elements of A Co., 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division were conducting combat operations in Adhamiyah when they received actionable intelligence prompting them to stop a passing vehicle. The unit positively identified Haydar Rashid Nasir Al-Shammari Al-Jafar who is suspected to be the second in command of a prominent car bomb producing network in the Adhamiyah Security district.
The other two occupants were identified as Ahamed Hassan Niami and Hamid Selman Alawi who are likewise affiliated with the network.
It is estimated that since Nov. the car bombs from this cell have killed approximately 900 innocent Iraqi citizens; another 1,950 have been wounded.
This was the second insurgent cell leader captured by the 1-26th within twenty-four hours. By capturing leaders of this cell, coalition forces are able to further disrupt the network’s ability to conduct reconnaissance, film and conduct attacks in eastern Baghdad.
Following their capture, an already prepared vehicle laden with explosives was found close to where the cell leaders were taken into custody. Members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division cordoned off the area and conducted a controlled detonation of the device.
From: http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10916&Itemid=128
I wonder how much of an impact this will have on the number of VBIED's that we see in Baghdad and the surrounding area, hopefully a large drop, but again, we will have to wait and see.