More good news from Iraq

Baghdad, Oct 29, (VOI) - Iraqi security forces on Monday managed to free 8 of 11 kidnapped tribal chiefs following a military operation, defense ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Askari said.

"The operation, based on reliable intelligence reports, began this afternoon by al-Rasafa security forces in Baghdad," al-Askari told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
"Three chiefs remain captives after the gunmen moved them to another location," he added, asserting that Iraqi forces are searching for them.
Regarding the death of Sheikh Mathhar al-Azzawi, the spokesman said that he has no information in this regard.
The U.S. military earlier on Monday accused Arkan Hasnawi, a former Shiite militant from cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's al-Mahdi army, of kidnapping the group of Shiite and Sunni leaders.
"Based on intelligence sources, Multi-National Force-Iraq has identified Arkan Hasnawi, a former brigade commander in Jaysh Al Mahdi, as being responsible for the kidnapping of Shiite and Sunni tribal leaders from Diala province yesterday," the U.S. army said in a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

(Aswat Aliraq)

What makes this good news?

The tribal chiefs aligning against al Qaida were freed. Of course that's good. The fact that they were kidnapped in the first place ... not so good.

The good news in the broad scope of the war is the role of Iraqi security forces. Iraq pulled off the operation with pretty good success.


The Belmont Club adds to the story.

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