Sukkariyeh, 26 Ottobre 2008
Un' operazione congiunta effettuata da personale dello United States Special Operations Command (U.S.S.O.COM.) e della Special Activities Division (S.A.D.) della C.I.A. (Central Intelligenece Agency), ha portato all' individuazione di Badran Turki Hishan al-Mazidih. Il 26 Ottobre 2008, personale incaricato di catturare (od uccidere al-Mazidih) e' stato infiltrato dall' Iraq in territorio siriano, a bordo di tre o quattro elicotteri armati di missili. Teatro dell' operazione e' stata la casa dello stesso al-Mazidih, ubicata nella cittadina di Sukkariyeh, in territorio siriano ed a cinque miglia dal confine iracheno. Non sono state rivelate informazioni in merito alla dinamica del raid, ma e' possibile che gli uomini delle forze speciali fossero presenti a bordo degli elicotteri solo per identificare il corpo del terrorista e confermarne l' eventuale eliminazione. La sorte di al-Mazidih non e' comunque chiara: testimoni oculari affermano infatti come due uomini siano stati caricati a bordo degli elicotteri al termine del raid.
Al-Mazidih, anche noto sotto lo pseudonimo di Abu Ghadiyah, era il facilitatore di Al Qaeda incaricato di agevolare l' infiltrazione di terroristi in Iraq del nord, attraverso il confine siriano. Le forze statunitensi sono arrivate ad Al-Mazidih grazie agli interrogatori di personale di Al Qaeda catturato in Iraq. I terroristi hanno rivelato come Al-Mazidih (nominato nel 2004 responsabile logistico in Siria da Abu Musab al-Zarqawi), si occupasse di procurare armi, passaporti falsi, guide ed alloggio a centinaia di terroristi qaedisti in transito dalla Siria verso l' Iraq, attraverso un punto di passaggio soprannominato "the uncontrollable gateway". Dopo aver posto sotto sorveglianza il luogo, ed aver intercettato numerose comunicazioni radio e telefoniche, gli operatori statunitensi sono riusciti ad individuare Al-Mazidih. Le forze speciali ed il personale della S.A.D. hanno quindi seguito l' obiettivo, di ritorno in Siria al termine dell' ennesima operazione di infiltrazione di terroristi, lanciando l' attacco nelle prime ore del mattino del 26 Ottobre 2008.
Il gruppo di Al-Mazidih si era gia' reso responsabile nel Settembre precedente di un raid in territorio iracheno, che aveva provocato la morte di tredici abitanti di un villaggio non lontano dal confine siriano. Nell' estate 2007, il gruppo di Al-Mazidih aveva inoltre massacrato undici poliziotti iracheni. Il Governo di Baghdad aveva quindi chiesto al regime siriano che il gruppo fosse portato dinnanzi alla giustizia, ma senza successo. La Siria, responsabile del clima di instabilita' venutosi a creare in Iraq ed in Libano, ha condannato il raid antiterrorismo quale una "pericolosa aggressione". Da notarsi come le agenzie di stampa siriane abbiano divulgato in internet una serie di foto ritraenti la sepoltura di sette civili. Secondo gli articoli comparsi online, questi sarebbero stati sterminati nel raid effettuato dalle forze speciali statunitensi le quali, sempre secondo le agenzie, avrebbero deliberatamente preso di mira il gruppo di civili. Il 28 Febbraio 2008, lo U.S. Department of the Treasury aveva designato Al-Mazidih, insieme ad altri tre individui, quale facilitatore di Al Qaeda in Iraq. Per maggiori informazioni, si consulti il box seguente.
February 28, 2008
Treasury Designates Members of Abu Ghadiyah's Network
Washington − The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated four individuals facilitating and controlling the flow of money, weapons, terrorists, and other resources through Syria to al Qaida in Iraq (AQI), including to AQI commanders. "Since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, Syria has become a transit station for al Qaida foreign terrorists on their way to Iraq," said Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. "Abu Ghadiyah and his network go to great lengths to facilitate the flow through Syria of money, weapons, and terrorists intent on killing U.S. and Coalition forces and innocent Iraqis." Today's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing financial or material support to terrorism. Any assets these designees have under U.S. jurisdiction will be frozen, and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in business or transactions with the designees.
Identifier Information BADRAN TURKI HISHAN AL MAZIDIH AKAs: Al-Mazidih, Badran Turki al-Hishan Syria-based Badran Turki Hishan Al Mazidih, also known as Abu Ghadiyah, runs the AQI facilitation network, which controls the flow of money, weapons, terrorists, and other resources through Syria into Iraq. Former AQI leader Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi appointed Badran as AQI's Syrian commander for logistics in 2004. After Zarqawi's death, Badran began working for the new AQI leader, Abu Ayyub Al-Masri. As of late-September 2006, Badran took orders directly from Masri, or through a deputy. Badran obtained false passports for foreign terrorists, provided passports, weapons, guides, safe houses, and allowances to foreign terrorists in Syria and those preparing to cross the border into Iraq. Badran received several hundred thousand dollars from his cousin Saddah -- also designated today -- and used these funds to support anti-U.S. military elements and the travel of AQI foreign fighters. Badran has also been using AQI funds for his personal use. As of the spring of 2007, Badran facilitated the movement of AQI operatives into Iraq via the Syrian border. Badran also directed another Syria-based AQI facilitator to provide safe haven and supplies to foreign fighters. This AQI facilitator, working directly for Badran, facilitated the movement of foreign fighters primarily from Gulf countries, through Syria into Iraq.
GHAZY FEZZA HISHAN AL MAZIDIH AKAs: Hishan, Ghazy Fezzaa Ghazy Fezza Hishan Al Mazidih is Badran's cousin and a member of his AQI facilitation network. As of March 2006, Ghazy was Badran's "right-hand man." As second-in command, Ghazy worked directly with Badran, managed network operations, and acted as the commander for Badran's AQI network when Badran traveled. As of late-September 2006, Ghazy and Badran were planning to facilitate an AQI attack against Coalition forces and Iraqi police in Western Iraq. Ghazy and Badran planned to use rockets to attack multiple Coalition forces outposts and Iraqi police stations, in an attempt to facilitate an AQI takeover in Western Iraq.
AKRAM TURKI HISHAN AL MAZIDIH AKAs: Akram Turki Hishan Al Mazidih is Badran's brother and a member of his AQI facilitation network. As of early 2006, AQI leaders Akram and Badran directed AQI operations near Al Qa'im, Iraq. In late-November 2006, Akram smuggled weapons from Syria for use in Iraq. As of late-September 2005, Akram acted on behalf of AQI by ordering the execution of AQI's enemies. Akram also ordered the execution of all persons found to be working with the Iraqi Government or U.S. Forces, and at least one of Akram's orders resulted in the execution of two Iraqis in Al Qa'im, Iraq.
SADDAH JAYLUT AL-MARSUMI AKAs: Al-Marsumi, Sa'da Jalut Hassam As of the spring of 2006, Saddah Jaylut Al-Marsumi, Badran's cousin, was an AQI financier who worked with Badran and other AQI facilitators to transport several unidentified Syrian suicide bombers into Iraq on behalf of AQI. Saddah also facilitated the financing and smuggling of AQI foreign fighters from Syria into Iraq. As of early 2006, Saddah transferred several hundred thousand dollars to a hawala in Iraq, where Badran received the funds and used them to support anti-U.S. military elements and the travel of AQI foreign fighters.
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