Release A070924c

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A senior al Qaeda in Iraq member of the Abu Ghazwan network, who was detained by Iraqi Army Scouts during a series of helicopter assault raids near Taji, Sept. 16, has been identified as Salim Ismail al Hayali, also known as Abu Bakr.  

Abu Bakr is suspected of conducting attacks that target local citizens in the Tarmiyah area who join the Iraqi Police or Iraqi Army forces. His cell has attacked the Tarmiyah Regiment of the 9th Iraqi Army division, the 9th Oil Protection Division, guards at the Al Karkh water treatment plant and Coalition Forces in the Taji area. Abu Bakr’s cell is also suspected of distributing propaganda and installing illegal check points. 

Abu Bakr is additionally suspected of being the second in command to Abu Ghazwan’s network and the gatekeeper for access to Abu Ghazwan himself. This criminal network is known to commit robberies, kidnappings, murder, and is responsible for the Sept. 6, 2006 attack against a British Contractor convoy near Tarmiyah.  

This terrorist network is believed to be linked to the kidnappings of employees from the Nasr Industrial Plant and is known to stage attacks from a local mosque.  The cell provides salaries and materials for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices to be used in the Baghdad area.  The cell is further suspected of storing and supplying weapons such as surface-to-air missiles, mortar rounds, mortar launchers, and heavy machine guns to be used in future terrorist attacks. 

U.S. Special Forces served as advisers during the operation.

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