IRAQ: AL-ZARQAWI SERIOUSLY INJURED, SAYS IRAQI OFFICIAL [Operation Matador]

Baghdad, 11 May (AKI) - The Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is "serious injured, possibly dead" according to Colonel Fouad Hani Hassan, commander of the fifth division of the Iraqi armed forces, cited by 'Elaph', one of the most popular websites in the Arab world. Al-Zarqawi, considered al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq, is believed to have been injured in the major offensive US-led forces have been carrying out in the western Anbar province over the last few days.

Operation Matador is centred around the town of Qaim, just a few kilometres from the Syrian border, and is aimed at destroying the strongholds of foreign fighters coming over the border into Iraq to join the insurgency. It's the fourth day of violent fighting around the town, which has been surrounded by troops since Saturday night. Bombing is said to be heavy in the town, where there has been house-to-house fighting between troops and insurgents.

The satellite TV channel Al-Arabiya reported on Wednesday that two US military helicopters were brought down during clashes in villages near Qaim, where military aircraft had been carrying out bombing raids to root out Islamic militants from their hideouts.

On Tuesday, Raja Nawaf, the newly-appointed governor of the Anbar province was kidnapped near Qaim and his family was told he would only be released if US troops pulled out of the town. A US military spokesman responded to the news by reiterating that they do not give into terrorist demands.

While Operation Matador is not specifically aimed at catching al-Zarqawi, Brig. Gen. James Conway told a Pentagon news briefing on Tuesday that "it would be a welcome event to come across him or his body."

This is the biggest US military operation since the offensive on the rebel-held town of Fallujah in November last year. More than 1,000 troops are involved and at least 15 US soldiers are said to have died in the fighting so far. The US military claims some 100 militants have been killed, but inside sources have admitted however, that they have encountered strong resistance in the town, with the insurgents demonstrating a high level of training.

His support structure is getting decimated over time. He is nearly on his own now. I want his body displayed for all to see.

From Hammorabi yesterday:

This factor plus the arrest of the top thugs of Al-Zarqawi group and his imminent capture..

I believe his capture is imminent also and that he is in or near Qaim with his butt buddies. Will he be able to escape this time? If he is there its very possible he is wounded. I read yesterday that 2 500 lbers were dropped and 500 or so 30mm cannon rounds along with 300+ 20mm cannon rounds were used up in the area.

Maybe this is the end of the beginning.

Operation Matador Helping Flush Insurgents From Western Iraq
May 10, 2005
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – Troops fighting in Iraq's northwestern Anbar province are facing a sizable and skilled insurgency, with some members seen fighting in military uniforms and protective vests, the Joint Staff's director of operations told Pentagon reporters here today.

Marine Lt. Gen. James T. Conway said the effort, dubbed Operation Matador, is focused on eliminating insurgents and foreign fighters occupying the region, a known smuggling route and sanctuary for foreign fighters.

The area also is used as a staging area where foreign fighters receive weapons and equipment for their attacks in the more populated key cities of Baghdad, Ramadi, Fallujah and Mosul, according to U.S. Central Command officials.

Conway said the region has witnessed a buildup of insurgents since the fall of Fallujah, when they began moving west.

Acknowledging that Anbar province is "a huge piece of terrain," Conway said the coalition is operating out of fixed locations, conducting patrols to find insurgent operating areas, then "going after them."

The strategy is the same one used elsewhere in Iraq, he said. "Where we find insurgents, we will attack them, and we will capture and kill them if they resist," he said.

Operation Matador does not specifically target al Qaeda terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who reportedly was seen in the area within the past three weeks. However, "it would be a welcome event to come across him or his body," the general said.

Conway said he's not surprised by the strength and capability of the insurgency being encountered. "We know this is a determined enemy, that he has the skill and ordnance (and) the weapons to be able to resist fiercely, as we are seeing here," he said. "So this should not be a surprise to us when it happens."

While declining to provide details about tactics being employed while the operation is under way, Conway said the coalition is depending heavily on combined arms operations. The Marines' 2nd Regimental Combat Team is a key player in the effort, he said.

So far, three U.S. Marines have been killed and fewer than 20 wounded in the operation, he said.

Conway said he is leaving it to commanders on the ground to ensure they have enough troops in the area to handle the mission.

Also in Iraq, Conway reported a "tenfold" surge in reports of criminal and insurgent activity called into the Iraqi tips hotline during the first week since the Iraqis took over its operation from U.S. forces in Baghdad.

"We see that as a testament to the determination of those Iraqis who want to see a safe and stable country," he said.

- www.defenselink.mil

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