Al-Qaeda boss sent to Guantanamo Bay

Updated 07.50 Sat Apr 28 2007
Keywords: Guantanamo, CIA, al-Iraqi, al-Qaeda

A senior al-Qaeda suspect thought to be behind a string of atrocities in Pakistan and Afghanistan has been captured and sent to Guantanamo Bay.

Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi was seized by US forces as he tried to return to his native Iraq.

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

There is speculation he had links with planned attacks in Britain.

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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