BAGHDAD, Iraq – An al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist killed during a recent Coalition forces operation has been positively identified as Abu Maysara.Maysara, also known as Abu Basha’ir, was a Syrian who spoke an Iraqi dialect. He was a member of Abu Ayyub al-Masri’s inner circle and served as a senior advisor. Maysara was specifically responsible for providing extremist spiritual guidance and rebuttal on terrorist matters, perverting Islamic faith to allow terrorism, murder and torture. He was also known to provide logistical support to al-Qaeda operations and was a key leader in the al-Qaeda in Iraq media network.
| He was the official news releaser of the Zarqawi News Network. |
As the ground force approached the target building, they received heavy fire from inside. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged the armed men, killing six terrorists, including Maysara. The ground forces then secured the area, finding a weapons cache, improvised explosive device components and propaganda material.
In March, Maysara and a group of foreign terrorists escaped from the Badush Prison. It is believed he was one of the lead planners of the escape.
Maysara fought against the Government of Iraq in Fallujah in 2004 and was reportedly one of Abu Musab al-ZarqawiÂ’s senior advisors. On Nov. 29, 2004, Maysara was captured by Coalition forces in Fallujah, using the name Muhammad Wasim Abdullah Halabi, also known as Abu Assim. He had in his possession a forged Ministry of the Interior identification card with the name Ahmad Ibrahim Karim, also known as Abu Ibrahim.
Abu Maysara was positively identified using DNA evidence. “This was a dangerous terrorist who is no longer part of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue the terrorist leaders who try to deny the Iraqi people a future of their choice.”
