Free Republic

Iran claims that three of its pilots who disappeared after their aircraft were shot down during the war nearly six months ago are alive and being held by Qatar, prompting Tehran to call for international intervention and their immediate release. According to reports published Saturday, a senior Iranian armed forces official said the three pilots were captured by Qatari forces after the Su-24 aircraft they were flying were shot down during fighting in March. The claim represents a dramatic change in Iran’s account of the pilots’ fate. For months, Tehran said it did not know what had happened to the...

<p>Thirteen of the 55 wanted members of Saddam's inner circle are in custody. A 14th figure, Ali "Chemical Ali" Hassan al-Majid is believed to have been killed in an airstrike. The Pentagon says two others on the list were believed killed but has not named them.</p>

LONDON, April 24 (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein's urbane spokesman and Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz was in U.S. custody on Thursday, the 12th senior Iraqi official to be detained. Following is a list of those so far reported captured: April 12 - AMER HAMMOUDI AL-SAADI - Saddam Hussein's top scientific adviser surrenders in Baghdad. Saadi, who acted as liaison to U.N. weapons inspectors, arranged his surrender after learning he was No. 55 on the list. April 13 - WATBAN IBRAHIM HASAN AL-TIKRITI - Saddam's half-brother was turned over to the U.S. military. Saddam removed him as interior minister in 1995...