MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.343.8790
 
Press Release A081119b-385
November 20, 2008

Coalition forces identify terrorist killed November 11 (Baghdad)

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces have positively identified a terrorist killed in an operation November 11 in Baghdad as Hajji Hammadi, an Iraqi national also known as Hammadi Awdah Abd Farhan and Abd-al-Salam Ahmad Abdallah al-Janabi.

Hammadi was affiliated with al-Qaeda in Iraq since its inception and assumed his role as the AQI “emir” of Karmah and Abu-Ghraib areas west of Baghdad in 2004.  He is assessed to have connections with the country’s legacy al-Qaeda leadership, to include AQI founder Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and the terrorist group’s current leaders.

In his position as a regional AQI leader, Hammadi was responsible for planning and conducting multiple attacks on Coalition forces, Iraqi Police, Iraqi government officials and Iraqi citizens.  These attacks were carried out as suicide and car bombings, kidnappings, executions and assassinations.

Hammadi was the mastermind behind a June 26, 2008 attack on Coalition forces and Iraqi government officials in Al Anbar province.  One of his operatives, disguised in an Iraqi Police uniform, detonated a suicide vest in Karmah, about 40 km west of Baghdad, during the city’s weekly Sheikh’s meeting.  This attack killed three U.S. Marines, two interpreters and more than 20 Iraqis, including the mayor of Karmah and several other Sheikhs.  Hammadi escorted the suicide bomber to the location and videotaped the attack.

“Hajji Hammadi’s existence centered on terrorizing Iraqi citizens,” said Brig. Gen. David Perkins, Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman.  “His cowardly attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces and government officials demonstrated his flagrant disregard for the peaceful nation the Iraqi people seek to build.”

Additionally, Hammadi has been linked to multiple assassinations on Sons of Iraq members in the Baghdad area.  Reports indicate Hammadi plotted the Sept. 7, 2008, murder of a SOI lieutenant in the Shurtan village, about 26 km northeast of Baghdad.  The lieutenant was reportedly assassinated for refusing to participate in AQI activities.  A second SOI lieutenant was the victim of a Hammadi-planned assassination on Oct. 24, 2008, near Karmah, about 40 km west of Baghdad.

Hammadi’s history of terrorist activity includes the abduction and murder of a U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin in 2004.  Staff Sgt. Maupin was assigned to the 724th Transportation Co., U.S. Army Reserve.  Hammadi also led a group of fighters against Coalition forces in the second battle of Fallujah in the fall of that year.

On November 11, 2008, Coalition forces were led to a residence in Baghdad’s Mansour neighborhood where Hammadi was believed to be located.  Ground forces immediately received small arms fire as they entered the building.  The Soldiers then returned fire, killing Hammadi and another armed terrorist.  Soldiers then provided life-saving medical treatment to one of the armed suspects injured during the fight.  He and four other suspects believed to be associates of Hammadi were detained during the operation.

“The removal of Hajji Hammadi from the AQI network is yet another significant blow to the terrorist organization,” Brig. Gen. Perkins said.  “His death and the detention of his associates is bringing the people of Iraq one step closer to a safer, more peaceful Iraq.”

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