As Part of Iraqi Reconciliation, US Forces Release Head of Shiite Extremist Group
EmailA spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq tells ABC News that it has released into Iraqi custody the head of an Iran-backed Shiite group responsible for killing US soldiers, his freedom all but assured as part of the Iraqi reconciliation process.
Qays Khazali, who has been in US custody since March 2007, heads one of the many "Special Groups" or "Secret Cells," called Asa'ib ahl al Haq or "The League of the Righteous." The US military and other experts say the groups are directed by a special unit of Iran's Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution, the Qods Force.
On January 20, 2007, members of Khazali's network with American-looking uniforms, vehicles and identification cards penetrated the Karbala Provincial Joint Coordination Center and attacked a meeting of U.S. and Iraqi officials, killing five U.S. soldiers and wounding three.
Khazali's release, as well as other members of the League of the Righteous, was first reported in the respected Long War Journal blog which said US military and intelligence officials also said he and others had been turned over to the Iraqis in exchange for the release of British hostage Peter Moore, who was being held captive by the League of the Righteous.
A Pentagon official denied that to ABC News, insisting there was no quid pro quo and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband denied that as well, saying, “there were no concessions in this case. There was no — quote, unquote — deal.”
According to The Surge: A Military History by Kimberly Kagan, Khazali was running Special Groups and answering to the Iranian government by May 2006, specifically reporting to Hajji Yusif, the deputy commander of the Qods Force.
U.S. forces captured him, his brother Laith, and Ali Musa Daqduq in Basra in March 2007.
Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner later that year described what US forces learned from the three men and documents they found when they captured them.
"The document that we captured showed the following," Bergner said. "It showed that the group that attacked the Provincial Joint Coordination Center in Karbala had conducted extensive preparation and drills prior to the attack. Qods Force had developed detailed information regarding our soldiers' activities, shift changes and fences, and this information was shared with the attackers. They had American-looking uniforms, vehicles and identification cards that enabled the attackers to more easily penetrate the Provincial Joint Coordination Center and achieve surprise."
Bergner said "we also recovered 11 separate documents that recorded attacks against coalition forces, attacks that were ordered by Qays himself…In all, these documents recorded three attacks against the Basra palace, two targets in Amarah, one against an intelligence target in Basra, two against the Shatt al-Arab Hotel in Basra and an IED attack against a humvee. Additionally one document recorded nine attacks against military vehicles in Rusafa."
"Both Ali Musa Daqduq and Qays Khazali state that senior leadership within the Qods Force knew of and supported planning for the eventual Karbala attack that killed five coalition soldiers," Bergner said. "Daqduq and Khazali both confirm that Qays Khazali authorized the operation, and Azhar al- Dulaimi, who we killed in an operation earlier this year, executed the operation."
An MNF-I spokesman today explained Khazali's release in this context:
"The United States remains fully committed to implementation of the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement," the spokesman said. "Since Jan. 1, 2009, we have released 7,801 detainees and transferred another 1,522 detainees, who have warrants, to Government of Iraq custody under the terms of the Security Agreement."
The spokesman said that the Government of Iraq "has been implementing a reconciliation process in numerous communities for over two-and-a-half years," a process that is "a fundamental element of establishing peace and security in Iraq, enabling Iraq to move forward toward national unity and national elections."
Asa'ib ahl al Haq (AAH) is one of many groups that the Government of Iraq is working with on this reconciliation process, the MNF-I spokesman said, with the group's reconciliation "predicated on the group committing to five steps: ending attacks and renouncing violence; taking and holding no hostages; decommissioning its heavy weapons; breaking its links to foreign sources of support and training; and being reintegrated into Iraqi society as a peaceful political actor/social group."
The transfer was described as the US complying with "an Iraqi government request, in accordance with the U.S.-Iraqi Security Agreement and rule of law, to transfer AAH members, including Qays Khazali, from U.S. custody to Iraqi custody pursuant to an Iraqi arrest warrant. This has been occurring over a seven-month period."
One military officer told Long War Journal “We let a very dangerous man go, a man whose hands are stained with US and Iraqi blood. We are going to pay for this in the future.”
- jpt
*This post has been updated.
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“…it has released into Iraqi custody the head of an Iran-backed Shiite group responsible for KILLING US soldiers, his FREEDOM all but assured as part of the Iraqi reconciliation process.”
It’s as if we are not even trying anymore.
Posted by: The Audacity of Golf | December 31, 2009, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm
When we pull out it’s even odds Iraq will become an extension of Iran. This is the EXACT disaster that led to Bush Sr prudently leaving Saddam in power, and it is almost inevitable after the arrogant failure of Bush Jr’s Iraq adventure. (Sure the surge ‘worked’ – well, it would have if he did it seven years earlier when any official who dared suggest Rumsfeld’s ‘small army’ approach would fail.) And no, keeping our troops in there getting shot at for the next several decades is not the answer.
Posted by: jhw539 | December 31, 2009, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
And some people still wonder why I refuse to deploy to Iraq…..obviously they are not paying attention to reality
Posted by: Daniel | December 31, 2009, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
Not a single day goes by in which I don’t find myself more stunned by the stupidity of the previous day’s latest ‘expose’ with regard to the comedy of errors commonly referred to as ‘the war on terror’. Is there noone left with that most endangered sense—common sense??? Pretty basic stuff here: ya don’t throw the big fish back in the pond. Period.
Posted by: Stephen Strachan | December 31, 2009, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
“We let a very dangerous man go, a man whose hands are stained with US and Iraqi blood. We are going to pay for this in the future.”
And Obama let it happen.
Posted by: Our treasured soldiers | December 31, 2009, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
Pretty basic stuff here: ya don’t throw the big fish back in the pond. Period.
Stephen Strachan | Dec 31, 2009 4:17:35 PM
So we never leave Iraq then? We just break the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement and adopt Israel’s approach – continuous occupation without end. Yeah, that works SO well.
Or maybe, just maybe, the best strategy doesn’t fit on a bumper ticker as well as “go from the gut” “bring it on” “stay the course” or “don’t throw the big fish back in the pond”?
Posted by: jhw539 | December 31, 2009, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
It is my belief that Barack HUSSEIN Obama is a treasonist. Actually, he may not even be that. His grandmother has already told us that he was born in Kenya, which means that he could actually be a foreign spy.
Jack49 | Dec 31, 2009 5:02:00 PM
Another excellent spokesperson for the new Republican base.
Posted by: jhw539 | December 31, 2009, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
Another un-brilliant decision.
The on going nonsense that says that if we do nice things for diehard Islamic assasins they will feel so touched emotionally that they will stop making bombs and start baking cupcakes.
Oh, and by the way, this guy had only orcestrated the murder of American soldiers. But our trops are just statistics . . . so letting him go in the name of feel-good diplomacy must be the higher priority.
Posted by: Robert | December 31, 2009, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm
As usual we hope for the best, thinking that Mr. Khazaliing will stop killing in the name of Allah, but we all know a Leapord does’nt change its spots.
My son is stationed in Iraq BTW.
Posted by: woofie | December 31, 2009, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
Released? Why is this maggot even alive?
Posted by: Jasonn | December 31, 2009, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
One military officer told Long War Journal “We let a very dangerous man go, a man whose hands are stained with US and Iraqi blood. We are going to pay for this in the future.”
That is one of the most chilling, but true statements I’ve heard in a while. I’m quite sure that military officer knows what he’s talking about and we ARE going to pay for this in the future. But, hey, at least we’ll be liked in the world again. What’s a few blown up planes and other terrorist acts compared to the WORLD embracing us in their loving arms. God help us.
Posted by: Shoe | December 31, 2009, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
“The United States remains fully committed to implementation of the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement,” the spokesman said.
“Since Jan. 1, 2009, we have released 7,801 detainees and transferred another 1,522 detainees, who have warrants, to Government of Iraq custody under the terms of the Security Agreement.”
_________________________________
Since Jan. 1, 2009? That would mean this agreement was created and put into place under the previous administration?
I wonder what their rational was?
Posted by: tierra | December 31, 2009, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
Now people are we going to WAKE UP and realize the current administration and ruler of this country are nothing but extremist themselves and are more in love with letting people like this go than to care about the health and economy of this once Great Country!
We have an issue we all need to be worried about and that is What is Happening With OUR COUNTRY?
We are going to lose our freedoms; even though we need to proceed with caution and adhere to the fact the there are certain people in this world that want to kill us becuase of who we are or maybe better said “who we used to be” and be aware that we do need ot give up some privacy to be SAFE and I can deal with that; however when WE as the PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA allow an elected official and Administration to destroy this country by agreeing to let a terrorist like this guy off the hook along with his cronies do need to WAKE UP and SAY NO!
We will no longer allow the people we elected to SERVE US (not us serve them)
do this to our once all powerful and wealthy country destroy our country!
Remember if we can’t not dig up enough to impeach the wrong doers of this adminstration now!; We MUST CHANGE the downturn spindle we are in and are going to face much more tyranny if we do not change it in 2010 and for many year after including 2012!
Posted by: Florida American and Patriot | December 31, 2009, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm
“The United States remains fully committed to implementation of the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement,” the spokesman said.
“Since Jan. 1, 2009, we have released 7,801 detainees and transferred another 1,522 detainees, who have warrants, to Government of Iraq custody under the terms of the Security Agreement.”
_________________________________
Since Jan. 1, 2009? That would mean this agreement was created and put into place under the previous administration?
I wonder what their rational was?
The U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement was developed under the Bush administration and signed in late 2008, to come into effect December 31, 2008.
Posted by: tierra | December 31, 2009, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
The U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement was developed under the Bush administration and signed in late 2008, to come into effect December 31, 2008.
==========
Yes, tierra, this was the security agreement made to wind the Iraq war down.
It did not specify this prisoner to be released. That decision was made under Obama.
Posted by: MayBee | December 31, 2009, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
“by agreeing to let a terrorist like this guy off the hook along with his cronies do need to WAKE UP and SAY NO!”
So you don’t think we need to keep our agreements and wind down this war? I’m wondering if you’re enough of a patriot to volunteer to head over there and help out because if we follow your advice we’re going to be there a lot longer.
Posted by: Skip | December 31, 2009, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm
Posted by: MayBee | Dec 31, 2009 7:33:33 PM
“The United States remains fully committed to implementation of the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement,” the spokesman said.
“Since Jan. 1, 2009, we have released 7,801 detainees and transferred another 1,522 detainees, who have warrants, to Government of Iraq custody under the terms of the Security Agreement.”
_________________________________
Since Jan. 1, 2009? That would mean this agreement was created and put into place under the previous administration?
I wonder what their rational was?
The U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement was developed under the Bush administration and signed in late 2008, to come into effect December 31, 2008.
——————————-
The entire structure of this agreement – including how its administered, and how and who makes decisions about people to be released – was created and put in place under the Bush administration. Not the current President.
Posted by: tierra | December 31, 2009, 7:53 pm 7:53 pm
“Coalition officials in Iraq have started to release detainees in accordance with the security agreement that took effect Jan. 1. The agreement between the U.S. and Iraqi governments requires all detainees to be released in a safe and orderly manner or transferred to Iraqi custody pursuant to a judicial order. Multinational Force Iraq is scheduled to release up to 1,500 detainees a month, or about 50 a day.”
Posted by: tierra | December 31, 2009, 8:14 pm 8:14 pm
Prisoner swaps. Genius.
The US military has freed Qais Qazali, the leader of the Asaib al Haq, or League of the Righteous, as well as his brother Laith, several Qods Force officers, and more than 100 members of the terror group, in exchange for the release of British hostage Peter Moore.
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | December 31, 2009, 8:53 pm 8:53 pm
Another one of those incomprehensibly stupid Obama appeasement decisions. Obama’s Iran policy has been an utter failure.
Why should he do anything different now?
Posted by: drjohn | January 1, 2010, 10:25 am 10:25 am
The AP reports:
–A representative of al-Khazali’s group and an Iraqi member of the negotiating team that helped secure Moore’s release told The Associated Press that the militant group did not release Moore until it got confirmation its leader was transferred. –
But this was not a prisoner exchange.
Posted by: MayBee | January 1, 2010, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
“The U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement was developed under the Bush administration and signed in late 2008, to come into effect December 31, 2008.
“The agreement between the U.S. and Iraqi governments requires all detainees to be released in a safe and orderly manner or transferred to Iraqi custody pursuant to a judicial order. Multinational Force Iraq is scheduled to release up to 1,500 detainees a month, or about 50 a day.”
Posted by: tierra | January 1, 2010, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
A high level Hezbollah official who was involved in rockets against israeli civilian areas was also released in this deal. Sadr is close to hezbollah and this hezbollah official was involved in fighting the u.s.
Posted by: jason | January 1, 2010, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
Release the head ? Please .
Posted by: nat turner | January 1, 2010, 11:30 pm 11:30 pm
One can quote the agreements made under the Bush administration all one wants. Regardless, EVERYONE on both sides of the political spectrum should be outraged by these prisoner releases/swaps while US forces are engaged in combat with these fellows…
Posted by: kevin | January 2, 2010, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
kevin wrote: “…EVERYONE on both sides of the political spectrum should be outraged by these prisoner releases/swaps while US forces are engaged in combat with these fellows…”
What combat? Not a single American soldier was killed in Iraq in December. Note that what Bush set in motion, by making 13 of the 25 members of the Iraqi constitutional council Shiites, was the establishment of a Shiite dominated government. Note that Prime Minister al-Maliki’s party was founded by al-Sadr’s father. Get past the facade and it’s obvious that we’ve created the ideal ally for Iran, so what’s surprising about this release?
We’ll be worried for the next generation or more about the Shiites dominating the Gulf nations and influencing the oil supplies that the invasion of Iraq was supposed to put in our control – and which the Bush Administration said would pay for our war there, as they ridiculed anyone who claimed the Iraq war would be expensive for us.
Posted by: The_Mick | January 2, 2010, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm