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Iraq holds 'key al-Qaeda figure' | Iraq holds 'key al-Qaeda figure' |
(about 21 hours later) | |
The Iraqi authorities have announced the arrest of a man they say is the second-in-command of al-Qaeda in Iraq. | The Iraqi authorities have announced the arrest of a man they say is the second-in-command of al-Qaeda in Iraq. |
Iraq's national security adviser, Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, told a news conference the man, Hamad Jama al-Saedi, was detained a few days ago. | Iraq's national security adviser, Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, told a news conference the man, Hamad Jama al-Saedi, was detained a few days ago. |
Mr Rubaie said the man was behind the bombing of a Shia shrine in Samarra in February that drew revenge attacks. | Mr Rubaie said the man was behind the bombing of a Shia shrine in Samarra in February that drew revenge attacks. |
American troops killed the insurgent group's key leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in June. | American troops killed the insurgent group's key leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in June. |
He wanted to use children and women as human shields as our forces attempted to capture him Mowaffaq al-RubaieNational security adviser Who are the insurgents? href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=3604&edition=1&ttl=20060904110229" class="">Send us your comments | |
"We announce today the arrest of the most important al-Qaeda leader after the criminal Abu Ayyub al-Masri. He's the second man in the organisation," Mr Rubaie said. | "We announce today the arrest of the most important al-Qaeda leader after the criminal Abu Ayyub al-Masri. He's the second man in the organisation," Mr Rubaie said. |
This is a reference to the man believed to be al-Qaeda's current leader in Iraq, who remains at large. | This is a reference to the man believed to be al-Qaeda's current leader in Iraq, who remains at large. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
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'Severe blow' | 'Severe blow' |
Iraqi and US officials have blamed the group for some of the worst attacks against civilians, and for inciting sectarian tensions between its Sunni supporters and Iraqi Shias. | Iraqi and US officials have blamed the group for some of the worst attacks against civilians, and for inciting sectarian tensions between its Sunni supporters and Iraqi Shias. |
The bombing of the shrine provoked revenge killings | The bombing of the shrine provoked revenge killings |
Mr Rubaie said Mr Saedi's arrest had dealt a severe blow to the group. | Mr Rubaie said Mr Saedi's arrest had dealt a severe blow to the group. |
Mr Saedi has been closely interrogated over the last few days and as a result, 11 second level leaders and nine other members of al-Qaeda in Iraq have been arrested or killed. | Mr Saedi has been closely interrogated over the last few days and as a result, 11 second level leaders and nine other members of al-Qaeda in Iraq have been arrested or killed. |
Mr Saedi was hiding in a building north of Baquba that was being used by families, Mr Rubaie said. | Mr Saedi was hiding in a building north of Baquba that was being used by families, Mr Rubaie said. |
"He wanted to use children and women as human shields as our forces attempted to capture him." | "He wanted to use children and women as human shields as our forces attempted to capture him." |
Mr Saedi was responsible for organising the bombing of the al-Askari shrine in February, Mr Rubaie said. | Mr Saedi was responsible for organising the bombing of the al-Askari shrine in February, Mr Rubaie said. |
The bombing led to a sharp rise in sectarian attacks across the country. | The bombing led to a sharp rise in sectarian attacks across the country. |
The al-Askari shrine, part of the Imam Ali al-Hadi mausoleum, is one of Shia Islam's holiest sites and attracts pilgrims from around the world. | The al-Askari shrine, part of the Imam Ali al-Hadi mausoleum, is one of Shia Islam's holiest sites and attracts pilgrims from around the world. |
Core conflict | Core conflict |
In June, Mr Rubaie announced the capture of a Tunisian identified as Abu Qudama, who was one of several men wanted in connection with the attack. | In June, Mr Rubaie announced the capture of a Tunisian identified as Abu Qudama, who was one of several men wanted in connection with the attack. |
The BBC's James Shaw in Baghdad says the Iraqi government will see these latest arrests as a significant strike against the insurgency, particularly because they were carried out by Iraqi forces. | The BBC's James Shaw in Baghdad says the Iraqi government will see these latest arrests as a significant strike against the insurgency, particularly because they were carried out by Iraqi forces. |
But despite the reported successes against militants, parts of Iraq continue to be wracked by violence. | But despite the reported successes against militants, parts of Iraq continue to be wracked by violence. |
On Friday, a report by the Pentagon warned that "the core conflict in Iraq (had) changed into a struggle between Sunni and Shia extremists." | On Friday, a report by the Pentagon warned that "the core conflict in Iraq (had) changed into a struggle between Sunni and Shia extremists." |