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Al-Qaeda foreign fighter killed

Deader than a rock.
Coalition forces positively identified an al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist in an operation June 17 southeast of Karmah. Hussayn Awath Hussayn Hawawi, also known as Abu Thabbit, was a Libyan foreign fighter with connections to the North African foreign fighter network and ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq. Hawawi was positively identified through photo comparison with his previous detention photo. He was incarcerated at Badush prison in Mosul for an illegal border crossing and involvement with al-Qaeda in Iraq, but escaped March 6. Intelligence reports indicate he moved at least 30 North African fighters into Iraq in the month after his escape.

Hawawi is also believed to be involved in suicide bombing operations, and his foreign fighters allegedly conducted a number of attacks on Coalition Forces in Anbar province in late May. Additionally, Hawawi was allegedly trying to procure Iraqi police uniforms, falsified documents and vehicles for use in an attack against an unspecified target.

Hawawi was killed when Coalition Forces raided a series of buildings associated with him. As Coalition Forces approached the first building, seven armed terrorists engaged the ground force with small arms fire. Coalition Forces, responding in self-defense, engaged the seven armed men, killing six and wounding one. The wounded suspected terrorist fled the scene, but Coalition Forces caught him and two other suspected terrorists as they moved from the first building into the second. The wounded individual was taken to a military medical facility for treatment. Two suspected terrorists were detained.

During a search of the area, Coalition Forces found IED-making materials, weapons, and a vehicle containing a heavy machine gun and hand grenades. Coalition Forces safely destroyed the IED materials, vehicle and weapons on site and detained another seven suspected terrorists for their involvement with foreign fighters and al-Qaeda in Iraq suicide bombing operations. Coalition Forces also found jihadist propaganda and a letter congratulating Hawawi on escaping from prison. “This dangerous criminal is no longer aiding terrorists and supporting al-Qaeda in Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “Terrorists who seek to derail Iraq’s progress have no place in this country’s future.”
Posted by: Fred 2007-06-22
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=191339