Terrorist network being captured or killed

They are losing and they know it.

Published on May 10, 2005 By ShadowWar In Current Events

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 6, 2005 — Over the past several months, Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have captured or killed more than 20 of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s trusted lieutenants and other high-ranking network members.

Hundreds of other members of Zarqawi’s terror network have also been captured and killed as Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces-Iraq forces continue to degrade his organization.

Coalition forces also just missed capturing Zarqawi during a raid on Feb. 20. The raid occurred between Hit and Haditha near the Euphrates River.

Zarqawi was able to escape capture as Coalition forces closed in on his vehicle. Zarqawi’s driver, Abu Usama, was captured during the raid.

“Zarqawi became hysterical. Zarqawi did not know where he was because he demanded repeatedly ‘Who lives in this area? What sub-tribe is here?’,” said Usama.

Zarqawi then quickly grabbed his American-made rifle with one magazine and an unknown amount of US dollars and escaped.

Zarqawi left behind his computer, pistols and more ammunition, which were all seized in the raid. It is believed Zarqawi went back to Haditha and hid with members of local tribes who continue to provide him support and sanctuary.

Top leaders of Zarqawi’s network either captured or killed include terror-cell leaders, propaganda chiefs, bomb makers, drivers and other key lieutenants.

The degradation of the Zarqawi terrorist network in Mosul, Baghdad and western Iraq significantly impaired the network’s effectiveness in targeting Iraqis and Coalition forces in February and March. This also impeded his ability to move around and communicate freely.

Lately, in attempts to demonstrate control, Zarqawi’s network continues to detonate car bombs that are claiming the lives of Iraqi citizens. Zarqawi relies on incomplete stories and sensational footage to garner publicity for his terrorist network.

“Although Zarqawi’s network has been diminished, his followers can still muster forces for attacks,” said Col. Don Alston, Multi National Force-Iraq spokesman. “While these attacks have targeted Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition forces and Iraqi citizens, they have resulted most often in killing numerous innocent Iraqi civilians.”

Zarqawi relies on one terrorist commander in particular, Abu Talha, the Qa ‘idat al-Jihad Fi Bilad Al-Rafidayn Emir of Mosul. Abu Talha and his network are responsible for the murders of hundreds of innocent Iraqi civilians. This most-wanted terrorist in Mosul has further separated himself from what Iraqis believed to be a jihad by resorting to stealing cars from the local population and continuing to conduct kidnappings to fund other terrorist activities.

Some key leaders formerly within the network and some associated with Abu Talha have become disenchanted and disgusted with the deterioration of Abu Talha’s operations. What they believed to be a jihad actually consists of acts of murder, theft and extortion. One detainee stated the Qa ‘idat al-Jihad Fi Bilad Al-Rafidayn Emir network in Mosul has degraded to the point where Talha is receiving less funding from sources outside of Iraq and has to rely on theft, kidnapping and extortion to support terrorism and continue to rule Mosul by fear. Many are coming to the realization that Zarqawi’s tactics are no different.

Testimonies from captured members of the network indicate they had become disheartened by the criminal activities being carried out by the organization.

“Zarqawi represents the worst aspects of the insurgency,” said Alston. “He’s a foreign terrorist in Iraq, killing innocent Iraqis, and trying to delay them from their chosen destiny.”

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