"They came very close to capturing him," one of the Kurdish officials said. "They had never been this close previously, and it means that the new intelligence they're gathering is much better than before."
The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, would not say where and when the raids took place.
Al-Zarqawi's close calls are one sign that his militant network in Iraq has sustained serious losses and may be unraveling. Since early this month, Iraqi and U.S. forces have carried out a series of little-noticed raids in Baghdad, Mosul and other areas that led to the killing or capture of at least eight al-Zarqawi operatives....
...you know, if I was al-Zarqawi's travel agent, I think...no, I KNOW...I would be taking night courses....you know....preparing for the transition to another field of work...
...it's just gotta be nerve wracking...
DR
