Iraqi Security Forces Kill Al-Qaida Leader in Samarra

Strategic Insights -

Iraqi security forces, acting on intelligence provided by local residents, stormed a location in northern Samarra and killed Hammad al-Takhi, the leader of the al-Qaida terrorist organization in the city. This development comes shortly after the capture of Abdul Qadir Makhol, another high-ranking al-Qaida leader in the Salahudin province. The killing of Takhi and the capture of Makhol are seen as significant victories for Iraqi security forces in their efforts to curb Qaida activities in the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hammad al-Takhi, the leader of al-Qaida in Samarra City, was killed by Iraqi security forces acting on intelligence from local residents.
  • The killing of Takhi and the capture of Abdul Qadir Makhol are seen as significant victories for Iraqi security forces in their efforts to curb Qaida activities in the region.
  • Iraqi security forces have effectively curbed Qaida activities in Salahudin province with the killing of Takhi and the capture of Makhol.
  • Hammad al-Takhi and his brother Najim are accused of killing dozens of innocent people, including a woman journalist, Atwar Bahjat, from the Dubai-based al-Arabiya satellite channel.
  • Iraqi forces launched an attack on a village in Dujla area, some 150 km north of Baghdad, and captured Makhol at 6:00 p.m. (1400 GMT).
  • Makhol's capture came after Iraqi security forces killed two al-Qaida leaders in the province, including the leader (Ameer) of the Jazeera area and his assistant, three days ago.
  • Al-Qaida leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi made an unprecedented appearance in a video on April 25, criticizing the new Iraqi government and warning U.S. President George W. Bush of more attacks to come.

Statistics:

  • The al-Qaida leader killed in Samarra City was Hammad al-Takhi.
  • The leader of al-Qaida in Salahudin province captured was Abdul Qadir Makhol.
  • The Salahudin province is located some 120 km north of Baghdad and some 150 km north of Baghdad.
  • The attack on the village in Dujla area was launched at 6:00 p.m. (1400 GMT).
  • Al-Qaida has been accused of killing dozens of innocent people on the main road between Samarra and Dowr.
  • Atwar Bahjat, a woman journalist from the Dubai-based al-Arabiya satellite channel, was killed by al-Qaida.

Sources:

  • Xinhua via COMTEX
  • Xinhua News Agency