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Al-Qaeda leading figures captured -- US army

BAGHDAD, Oct 3 (KUNA) -- Two leading members of Al-Qaeda Organization were arrested on Friday by Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) in coordination with US military advisors, the US Army said on Saturday.
A Multi National Forces (MNF) statement said the army troops detained two members of Al-Qaeda Organization who are responsible for multiple vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks throughout the capital Baghdad and the northern city of Kirkuk.
In Mansour, southwest Baghdad, the forces arrested Muhammad Walid Khalid al-Juwali, also known as Abu Anas, who was planning future attacks in the city, threatening the national security. Abu Anas is suspected of having associates linked to the planning and execution of the August 19 attacks against headquarters of the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs, the MNF statement said.
In a separate security operation, the Iraqi forces and the US advisors arrested Khalid Husayn Khalif Mari al-Juwali, also known as Hajji Khalid, near Tuz Khurmatu, located approximately 24 kilometers southwest of Kirkuk. Hajji Khalid helped plan and carry out indiscriminant attacks throughout the region.
The security team found Hajji Khalid in the first building they searched. The team also encountered three additional suspects who, after questioning, were deemed to be conspirators who presented a threat to the local community. The suspects were found with VBIED associated chemicals, as well as terrorist propaganda. All four individuals were arrested without incident.
Iraqi Security Forces are making a concerted effort to identify, locate, and arrest members of VBIED networks throughout the country, ultimately increasing security and safety for all its citizens.
Baghdad accused the second most wanted man on the current list Mohammad Yunis Al-Ahmad, who is said to finance most of the attacks against the Multi-national force (MNF) in Iraq. He now heads the Iraqi Baath party abroad and is trying to bring its members back together. He resides in Syria. (end) ahh.mar KUNA 030952 Oct 09NNNN