Base in Ethiopia Used to Hunt Al Qaeda

ByABC News
February 23, 2007, 3:35 PM

February 23, 2007 -- Suspected Insurgent Leader Held in Iraq
A suspected al Qaeda linked insurgent leader accused of financing attacks and recruiting fighters was captured in southern Iraq, Iraqi police said Friday. The U.S. military also said it was investigating reports of civilian casualties in fierce fighting in the volatile city of Ramadi. (AP)

Report: Al Sadr Disappeared After Seeing Leaked Security Plan
Radical Shiite cleric Muqatda al Sadr disappeared after he saw a copy of a joint U.S.-Iraqi security plan that was leaked to him, reports Elaph today according to an Iraqi source "close to U.S. parties in Iraq." The plan was going to include an arrest warrant issued by a "well-known" Iraqi judge for al Sadr, the source told Elaph. U.S. and Iraqi special forces were going to arrest al Sadr and go after his followers in al Sadr city. The goal of the plan, according to the report, was to weaken the current Iraqi government of Nouri al Maliki - which enjoys the support of al Sadr followers in parliament - and dismantle the Shiite militia called al Mahdi Army. The judge who was going to issue the arrest warrant is now worried about being the target of attacks by followers of al Sadr after the plan has been leaked. He is therefore considering seeking political asylum in a Western country, says the report. (Elaph)

Sunni Insurgents Want Revenge for Rapes
Sunni insurgent groups including al Qaeda in Iraq have called for revenge attacks after second rape allegation against the Shiite-dominated security forces. (AP)

Three U.S. Soldiers Killed In Iraq's Anbar Province
Three U.S. soldiers were killed in combat on Thursday in Iraq's volatile western Anbar province, the U.S. military said in a statement on Friday. (Reuters)