Ansar al-Sunnah Shura Member Captured

Iraqi Army arrests military leader of Ansar al-Sunnah’s Shura, and the Ramadan Offensive begins

The Iraqi government has arrested Muntasir Hamoud Ileiwi al-Jubouri, who the Associated Press describes as a “leader of Ansar al-Sunnah.” But al-Jubouri is not just an average leader in Ansar al-Sunnah, he sits on the terrorist organization’s military Shura (or council), the decision making body for military operational issues. Al-Jubouri was captured in Al-Taeyh along with two aides. There is no information at this time if documents or computer equipment was seized along with al-Jubouri. Regardless, his arrest can potentially be a treasure trove of information for Task Force 145 and Iraqi counterterrorism commandos. [Note: Ansar al-Sunnah denies al-Jubouri was captured.]

Ansar al-Sunnah is one of the largest and most deadly jihadi terrorist organizations in Iraq . Ansar al-Sunnah has conducted suicide attacks and targeted assassinations against Coalition and Iraqi targets. The group’s primary area of operations includes northwestern Iraq and Anbar province. The MITP Terrorism Knowledge Database states the organization “is comprised of operatives from the Kurdish terrorist organization Ansar al-Islam, foreign al Qaeda operatives, and Iraqi Sunnis.” Ansar al-Sunnah is a Salafist jihadi organization that “openly advocates a pro-Bin Laden platform,” and has cooperated intimately with al Qaeda and Baathist insurgents in the past. It is rumored Ansar al-Sunnah will merge with al Qaeda during Ramadan.

Al-Jubouri’s arrest, along with the onset of the “Ramadan Offensive,” is sure to lead to an up tick in violence in Iraq. American generals have warned about the expected increase in violence during the run up to the Muslim holy month. Nine policemen in Tikrit were kidnapped, murdered, then beheaded. Their severed heads were thrown out a window of a moving car. This is a region where Ansar al-Sunnah has a presence.

In Baghdad, a fuel truck was detonated in Sadr City. Over thirty were killed. Jamaat Jund al-Sahaba (or Soldiers of the Prophet’s Companions), a small terror group, has taken responsibility for the attack. This group has “expressed their hostility towards the Badr Corps, a Shia militia that serves the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq Party, the al-Da’wah Party, a Shia political party, and the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.”

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

Tags: Iraq