The Pentagon isn't commenting...

[Yonivore]

...and, that's not a bad sign

URGENT: 'TARGET #1': al-Zarqawi reportedly arrested in Iraq
Tue Jan 04 2005 09:49:47 ET

DUBAI, January 4 (Itar-Tass) - Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, whom the US occupation authorities declared to be the "target number one" in Iraq, has been arrested in the city of Baakuba, the Emirate newspaper al-Bayane reported on Tuesday referring to Kurdish sources. Al-Zarqawi, leader of the terrorist group Al-Tawhid Wa'al-Jihad, was recently appointed the director of the Al-Qaeda organisation in Iraq.

The newspaper's correspondent in Baghdad points out that a report on the seizure of the terrorist, on whom the US put a bounty of 10 million dollars, was also reported by Iraqi Kurdistan radio, which at one time had been the first to announce the arrest of Saddam Hussein.

There have been no official reports about the arrest of the terrorist. Al-Zarqawi, 38, a Jordanian, whose real name is Ahmad al-Khalayleh, aims to turn Iraq into a "new Afghanistan". According to Arab press data, Al-Tawhid Wa'al-Jihad group has divided Iraq into several emirates. The group's independent subdivisions at a strength of 50 to 500 militants operate in the cities of Al-Falluja, Al-Qaim, Diala, and Samarra.

The personnel of the group is on the whole 1,500-strong and includes Iraqis and citizens of Arab and Islamic countries. There are demolition experts and missilemen among them.

The group has depots of weapons and explosives in various parts of the country. It intends to frustrate the upcoming parliamentary elections that are scheduled for the end of this month. Al-Tawhid Wa'al-Jihad threatens to do away with Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and members of the interim government.

Developing...

[Clandestino]

i'll wait til this is confirmed... It would be great though.

[Yonivore]

i'll wait til this is confirmed... It would be great though.

I agree, I'm cautiously optimistic...however, it is the first time the Pentagon hasn't denied the report of al Zarqawi's capture.

[Yonivore]

On December 30, the Iraqi newspaper Alrafidayn reported that two of Zarqawi's top aides had been arrested. Most intriguing to me was the reported apprehension of Ridha Albarazani, who was described as being "in charge of communication between terrorist cells" in Iraq. The arrest of two top aides, especially one who was responsible for communication among cells, raised hopes that Zarqawi himself might be next.

Now there are indeed rumors, apparently originating with news sources in the Emirates and in Kurdish Iraq, that Zarqawi has been captured. That would be great, of course, if true. But there have been similar rumors several times in the past, and unless and until this one is confirmed, there is little point in speculating. Of course, if Zarqawi were caught, the authorities would want to delay announcing the fact, if possible, to gain the benefit of any intelligence that might be obtained from him.

[Hook Dem]

Lets hope its true.

[scott]

Hopefully they got the er, although I hear he claimed responsibility for the death of an Iraqi Gov and some soldier today.

[Nbadan]

I saw this being reported on Drudge, but given the lack of credibility of that site, I didn't think it was worth posting, especially since this is the third time it has been reported that Zarqawi has 'allegedly' been captured in Iraq. Zarqawi must be the most elusive dead man on the planet, but then again, anyone remember it was reported by FoxNews that Chemical Ali was captured months after CNN reported he had been killed.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

So when drudge reports faulty exit polling numbers on election day, it's a proof of corruption by the Bush campaign. When it reports something positive in Iraq, it has no credibility and isn't worth posting.

I think I get it Dan.

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