Iraqi security forces capture top al-Qaida leader in Iraq

Source: Xinhua | 05-09-2008 09:52

BAGHDAD, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces captured Abu Hamza al-Muhajer, head of al-Qaida in Iraq network, in northern Iraqi city Mosul, Iraqi official television reported on Thursday.

An undated file photo released by the U.S. military of Abu  Ayyub al-Masri, alias Sheikh Abu Hamza al-Muhajer, in Baghdad  June 15, 2006.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

During an operation conducted by the Iraqi security forces in Mosul, 400 km north of Baghdad, the Iraqi troops captured Abu Hamza al-Muhajer, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, the Iraqi state-run television quoted Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman as saying.

Al-Muhajer was announced leader of al-Qaida in Iraq on June 12, 2006. He was a senior aide to former leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike on June 7, 2006. Since then, U.S. Pentagon sources identified him as one of the prime candidates to assume direction of the Iraqi insurgency.

Editor:Du Xiaodan