BAGHDAD, Iraq — A senior member of Al Qaeda in Iraq was killed during an operation in Baghdad this week carrying letters for Usama bin Laden and the new leader of the terror group's Iraqi offshoot, an Interior Ministry official said Thursday.
In a separate announcement, the top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq said U.S. forces had arrested a senior Al Qaeda terrorist and personal associate of the group's new leader, Abu Ayyoub al-Masri.
Abu Jaafar al-Liby, who was either the second or third most important figure in Al Qaeda in Iraq, was killed by police during an operation three days ago, Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Abdul-Karim Khalaf told The Associated Press.
Bill Roggio has more at The Fourth Rail.
Baghdad is al-Qaeda in Iraq's most critical area of operations, the the possession of letters swearing bayat to bin Laden and al-Masri indicates he is a major player in the organization.
Here's the plan.
1. Check the address on the letter.
2. Send task force to the address listed on the letter.
3. Kill or capture Osama bin Laden.
Posted by: Captain Joe | Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 07:08 PM