Two Key Al Qaeda in Iraq Leaders Killed/Captured in NE Iraq

Great, great news! Two key al Qaeda in Iraq leaders were taken out of the mix recently, with one blowing himself upon capture and the other was taken into custody. Here's the details from Multi-National Force:

Hadi Muhammad Husayn Darwish, also known as Abu Jassim, was killed Sep. 9 during an operation near Kirkuk. Coalition forces asses that Abu Jassim was the overall AQI leader of Tamim province.

According to Rear Admiral Patrick Driscoll, MNF-I spokesman, “Abu Jassim’s suicide leaves AQI with a leadership void in a time when few experienced terrorist leaders are available to take over.”

Coalition forces detained another suspected provincial “emir,” Jamal Muhammad Alwan Nafi during a daytime operation Sep. 2 in Bayji, about 160 km south of Mosul. A letter seized in an operation Dec. 30, assessed to be written by AQI leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri, identified Nafi, also known as Abu Anas, as the AQI “emir” of Diyala province, and revealed his ties to AQI senior leaders.
As the Diyala “emir,” Abu Anas is suspected of overseeing all AQI activity in the province. Because his area of responsibility was so large and active, ranging from the southern portion of Diyala – known for smuggling of weapons and fighters to support suicide attacks in Baghdad – to the Hamrin Mountains, Abu Anas is suspected of being one of the primary AQI leaders.

As you can see, the capture of Nafi could really reap some wonderful intel. This guy had correspondence on him from the al Qaeda in Iraq top leader, al-Masri and one has to believe that this asshat knows just about where al-Masri is holed up. And that, my friends, would be info worth its weight in gold.

It's my opinion that if the U.S. troops were to be able to either kill or capture al-Masri that al Qaeda leaders in Pakistan will not even bother to replace the schmuck. Things are awful bad for al Qaeda in Iraq and those that are left have got to be eyeing the border pretty closely. But hey, if they decide to stay, they get to die. Fine with me.

Two provincial-level al-Qaeda leaders removed from networks

BAGHDAD – One terrorist who was killed and one suspected terrorist who was captured have been identified as key players in the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in northeast Iraq.
Hadi Muhammad Husayn Darwish, also known as Abu Jassim, was killed Sep. 9 during an operation near Kirkuk. Coalition forces asses that Abu Jassim was the overall AQI leader of Tamim province. Using information from one of Abu Jassim’s alleged associates already in Iraqi custody, Iraqi and Coalition forces established a vehicle checkpoint to intercept the terrorist. The force identified Abu Jassim and realized that he was wearing a suicide vest. As the Iraqi policeman who discovered the vest backed away from the vehicle and attempted to engage the terrorist in self-defense, Abu Jassim detonated his explosives, killing only himself.
Abu Jassim oversaw all AQI operations in Tamim province, which includes the city of Kirkuk. Tamim province has been a hotbed of AQI activity for several years. Intelligence reports indicate that AQI views Kirkuk as a strategically important location for the terrorist network, and that AQI has attempted to incite ethno-sectarian violence there. According to Rear Admiral Patrick Driscoll, MNF-I spokesman, “Abu Jassim’s suicide leaves AQI with a leadership void in a time when few experienced terrorist leaders are available to take over.”
Abu Jassim was responsible for widespread violence across Tamim province, including bombings, assassinations and kidnappings. His group was financed through extortion, kidnapping ransoms and stealing from local merchants. He was considered to be one of the most senior and key “emirs” within the AQI network and was closely connected to the senior leaders of AQI.
Intelligence reports indicate Abu Jassim was appointed to the “emir” position in April after being transferred from Mosul. He controlled terrorist operations from Kirkuk to Tuz Khurmatu to Hawija, and also had ties to networks in the Tigris River Valley.
Coalition forces detained another suspected provincial “emir,” Jamal Muhammad Alwan Nafi during a daytime operation Sep. 2 in Bayji, about 160 km south of Mosul. A letter seized in an operation Dec. 30, assessed to be written by AQI leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri, identified Nafi, also known as Abu Anas, as the AQI “emir” of Diyala province, and revealed his ties to AQI senior leaders.
As the Diyala “emir,” Abu Anas is suspected of overseeing all AQI activity in the province. Because his area of responsibility was so large and active, ranging from the southern portion of Diyala – known for smuggling of weapons and fighters to support suicide attacks in Baghdad – to the Hamrin Mountains, Abu Anas is suspected of being one of the primary AQI leaders. Terrorist elements from his network have employed bombings, rigged booby-trapped houses, attempted to incite sectarian violence and used women as suicide bombers. More than half of all suicide bombings executed by females since December have been in Diyala province, many in the provincial capital of Baqouba. The attacks in Diyala have killed 108 Iraqis and injured 273, mostly civilians.
Intelligence reports indicate that several AQI leaders in Diyala have fled the province in response to Iraqi and Coalition operations there, resurfacing in the Tigris River Valley, where terrorist organization has reportedly been faltering.
“The removal of these two provincial-level leaders will force al-Qaeda in Iraq to fill these key, senior positions with less experienced members, all while Iraqi and Coalition forces capitalize on information from Abu Anas’ capture and target members of his network,” said Rear Adm. Driscoll. “This is a one-two punch that will significantly set back terrorist organization in Iraq.”