Iraqi police captured four suspected al-Qaida in Iraq members today, two of whom are alleged leaders in the terrorist organization for the central Diyala province and Kirkuk regions.
Police captured the suspects in two separate combined operations with U.S. advisors in northern Iraq.
Both operations were conducted in accordance with the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement and in coordination with the Iraqi government, officials said.
Afghan Visit Reinforces Gates' Faith in New Strategy
Afghan Visit Reinforces Gates' Faith in New Strategy By Jim Garamone
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' visits with Marines here and with soldiers at Forward Operating Base Frontenac in Afghanistan's Kandahar province have reinforced his belief that the strategy is working in Afghanistan.
"I feel reinforced that the path we're on is the right path, but it will take a long time," Gates told reporters after walking through Now Zad a city that was a ghost town for four years.
People are moving back to the city, and that's indicative of what's happening in other areas, thanks to a fundamental change in counterinsurgency strategy in the country, Gates said.
An American member of al-Qaida was picked up in a raid in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi, Pakistani officials said Monday, but reversed earlier assertions that the detained man was the terror network's U.S.-born spokesman.
They identified the suspect as Abu Yahya Majadin Adam, but gave no details on his background or role within al-Qaida.
A name very close to that is listed on the FBI's Web site as an alias for Adam Gadahn, the 31-year-old spokesman who has appeared in several videos threatening the West since 2001. The resemblance created confusion among officials Sunday, leading them to believe that the suspect was Gadahn, an army officer and a senior intelligence officer said.
Special Report - 03/11/10
