MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.343.8790

June 30, 2007
Release A070630a

Another senior al-Qaeda leader identified, killed

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces positively identified a high-level terrorist killed in an operation June 29 east of Fallujah.

Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Masri, an Egyptian, was a known terrorist and senior leader in al-Qaeda.  Intelligence reports indicate he worked directly for Abu Ayyub al-Masri, the military emir of al-Qaeda in Iraq, and is associated with other al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.

Intelligence reports further indicate he was assessed to be the current Shar’ia Emir of Radwaniyah, responsible for participating in terrorist courts and issuing fatwas.  Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Masri fought with Abu Ayyub al-Masri in Afghanistan in 2002 and 2003, and later came to Iraq with him.

Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Masri also fought in both battles of Fallujah, and was injured in one.  He was detained for six months, but upon his release, he relocated to Syria.  There, he began working with the network that facilitates the movement of foreign fighters into Iraq, and returned himself in late 2006.

While Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Masri stayed in Iraq, his associates traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan to personally discuss external planning with al-Qaeda senior leaders.

“Yet another foreign al-Qaeda terrorist has been removed from the al Qaeda network here in Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “This terrorist was a significant figure in the network and was only one step away from Abu Ayyub al-Masri.  Iraqis are safer without his presence.”

Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman Al-Masri was positively identified by several known associates and other detainees from this and previous operations.
 
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