US detains high-ranking member of al-Qaida in Iraq

The American military today detained a high-ranking member of al Qaida in Iraq in the restive town of Ramadi, the US Marines said.

Amir Khalaf Fanus, also known in the Ramadi area as “the Butcher,” was wanted for criminal activities including murder and kidnapping, Captain Jeffrey Pool said in a statement from the town, located 70 miles west of Baghdad.

Fanus was number three on a most-wanted list for Ramadi drawn up by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division.

“He is the highest ranking al Qaida in Iraq member to be turned into Iraqi and US officials by local citizens,” Pool said.

“His capture is another indication that the local citizens tire of the insurgents’ presence within their community.”

According to Pool, Iraqi and US Forces “have witnessed increasing signs of citizens fighting the terrorists within Ramadi as the December 15 National Elections draw nearer.”

He said that another 1,200 Iraqi Security Force soldiers were recently stationed in Ramadi, while 1,100 Iraqi special police commandos and a mechanised Iraqi army company had moved into the city.