CIA seize al-Qaeda operative

Updated 22.07 Fri Apr 27 2007
Keywords: Guantanamo, CIA, al-Iraqi, al-Qaeda

An Iraqi al-Qaeda member accused of assassination plots against Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and other attacks is in the custody of the United States

Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi is also accused of commanding al-Qaeda's paramilitary operations in Afghanistan and launching attacks on American and coalition forces from Pakistan.

Al-Hadi was detained trying to get back into Iraq to "manage al Qaeda's affairs" there, according to a Pentagon spokesman

Al-Hadi was detained trying to get back into Iraq to "manage al Qaeda's affairs" there, according to a Pentagon spokesman.

The Pentagon would not say when he was captured. Some security analysts

With al-Hadi, the Pentagon is now holding 15 men it considers "high-value detainees". They believe the capture will have a significant effect on al-Qaeda operations and that al-Hadi is capable of providing high-quality intelligence.

He is described as "known and trusted" by al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

And is believed to be a long-time trainer at one of al-Qaeda' training camps with ties to extremist groups allied with al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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