BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq said its forces had arrested one of the leaders of the Al-Qaeda network allegedly responsible for kidnapping Iraqis and foreigners.
The man, arrested two days ago in Baghdad, was identified in a government statement as Sami Ammar Hamid Mahmud, also known as Abu Aqil. It did not give his nationality but said he had been active outside Iraq.
"The aforementioned was responsible for managing and leading operations outside Iraq and was able to recruit Abu Salwa as emir (chief) of the Al-Qaeda network in Baghdad," the statement said Tuesday.
"Abu Aqil's cell was responsible for kidnapping Iraqis and foreign nationals to extract ransoms that would fund terror acts in Iraq."
The man, arrested two days ago in Baghdad, was identified in a government statement as Sami Ammar Hamid Mahmud, also known as Abu Aqil. It did not give his nationality but said he had been active outside Iraq.
"The aforementioned was responsible for managing and leading operations outside Iraq and was able to recruit Abu Salwa as emir (chief) of the Al-Qaeda network in Baghdad," the statement said Tuesday.
"Abu Aqil's cell was responsible for kidnapping Iraqis and foreign nationals to extract ransoms that would fund terror acts in Iraq."

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