No Capture of Leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq: (rewritten 2/16)

By Andrew Cochran

REVISED FEB. 16: An Iraq Interior Ministry spokesman claimed on February 15 that al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri was wounded and his aide, identified as Abu Abdullah al-Majemaai, was killed. A number of wire services and networks reported that information. I wrote at 6 pm ET that "Iraqi Interior Ministry elements are well known for releasing incorrect information. Last October, the U.S. military had to deny reports of al-Masri's death. And as recently as February 5, our officials in Iraq had to deny a claim that al-Masri was stuck in an Egyptian jail. U.S. authorities have neither corroborated nor denied the new story as of 6:20 pm ET. I suggest waiting until U.S. forces in Iraq confirm this new report before breaking out the champagne." And none of my usual sources inside the U.S. intel community had any "buzz" indicating any real action.

Now as I write at 10:30 am ET on February 16, the Islamic State of Iraq has denied the claim, Iraqi officials have backtracked, and, most importantly, U.S. officials have flat-out denied that it happened. Rita Katz's SITE Institute issued a press release on the statement by the ISI: "The group states: “The fabrication of the government of such news - which was denied even by their American masters - is proof of their bankruptcy and confusion, may Allah fight them.” And this from a U.S. military spokesman: "We are pretty confident that Masri was not killed or wounded. In fact, we believe that Masri was not even involved in any kind of gun battle yesterday." And instead of claiming of killing the al-Masri aide, the Iraqis are now quoted as claiming that he has been captured.

Case closed. But the episode hurts the Iraqi government's credibility in the eyes of the American press and people, and it's a stupid move while Americans are rethinking and debating the continued U.S. involvement in Iraq.

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